Warwick students will this summer have supported some of the region and the UK’s biggest events, thanks to their volunteering with St John Ambulance - and will do so once again at this weekend's Godiva Festival.

Comprised of students from across the UK, Warwick LINKS, the St John Ambulance unit at the University of Warwick has this year supported Coventry’s BBC Biggest Weekend concert and Pride events as well taking centre court at the Wimbledon tennis championships.

The unit is now back in Coventry to support the Godiva Festival.

Outside of their work providing first aid support and training on campus, the University of Warwick unit also work with local schools and sixth form students, via the ThinkHigher programme.

The unit will later this year be raising awareness and fundraising for their work with a 24 hour CPR marathon on the Warwick campus.

Commenting on the unit’s recent event work, James Van Hinsbergh, a Warwick PhD student and a St John Ambulance Event Services Lead, said:

“Our University of Warwick volunteers put in tremendous efforts throughout the year to ensure that all events have enough volunteers.

“Having our volunteers attend headline events such as the London Marathon and Wimbledon shows some of the impact we have on the wider community and we are looking forward to help ensure that people enjoy a safe and happy Godiva Festival.”

Commenting on the work the team undertakes and their role in providing first aid training to the local area Luke Evans, Unit Manager of Warwick LINKS, said:

“Before 2020, first aid training is not part of the national curriculum, so most students arrive at university with no experience of first aid. We want to change this. Our aim is to provide as many new students as possible with simple life saving skills”

“Whilst we already offer in-depth weekly training, we want to make new, quick, simple training accessible to every student.

“We plan to run these sessions in areas across campus throughout week zero and the early weeks of term 1, looking specifically to run these at times of high footfall such as after lectures, over lunchtime and other events to reach out to as many students as possible.”

30 August 2018

Contact:

Tom Frew, Senior Press and Media Relations Manager – University of Warwick:

E: a dot t dot frew at warwick dot ac dot uk
M: +44(0)7785433155