LEARN IT.SAVE A LIFE.

Because one day, what a child learns in school could save someone’s life.

Support the campaign Why first aid matters Get your school involved Take action at your school Sign our petition

Harrison Foster, who started the campaign

A CAMPAIGN STARTED BY A YOUNG PERSON WITH A BIG VISION.

I’m 15 and I hold a First Aid at Work qualification. I’m using my own experience to speak up for children across the UK to receive proper first aid education in schools.

If I can take the initiative to gain a recognised first aid qualification at 15, imagine what could happen if every child had the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills at school.

Age should never be a barrier to making a difference.

Read my story

Meet the lifesaving crew

Four friendly heroes guide you through the skills every child could learn.

Captain CPR

Teaches CPR and AED awareness.

Call 999 Hero

Knows exactly what to say in an emergency call.

Choking Champion

Helps children understand choking and when to get help.

First Aid Friend

Shows how to help others and stay calm.

What every child could learn

CPR

Everyone can learn to save a life

Spot cardiac arrest, start CPR, use an AED.

999

Know what to say

Recognise an emergency and make the call.

Choking

Know how to help

Age-appropriate awareness and supervised practice.

AED and bleeding

Why first aid should be taught in schools

Children can be present when emergencies happen.
First aid knowledge builds confidence.
Learning young creates lifelong skills.
Children can help friends, family and strangers.
Everyone should have the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills.

SMALL SKILLS. LIFESAVING IMPACT.

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Take action at your school

Download a free letter asking your headteacher to look at practical first aid and CPR education. Polite, realistic and ready in five minutes.

Get the letter See the facts

Also for schools

A free 10-minute assembly pack, a poster and social media graphics. Read what the curriculum says or the FAQ.

For schools, councils and decision-makers

We want first aid education to become a consistent part of school life. Read the school support pledge and register your interest.

Go to the schools page

Who we’re speaking to

Headteachers, teachers, school governors, East Riding Council, local councillors, MPs and first aid training providers.

Explore the campaign

Our campaign journey

Four stages from awareness to national change.

The difference one lesson could make

Four illustrative scenarios.

Test your lifesaving knowledge!

A friendly quiz with 20 questions across five topics.

Free training and resources

Learn CPR and first aid with trusted charities.

Press and media

Media kit, bio, press release and photo.

EVERY CHILD COULD BE SOMEONE’S HERO.

LEARN IT. SAVE A LIFE.

“Let’s build a generation that knows what to do when it matters most.”

Support the campaign

CPR: everyone can learn to save a life

Captain CPR shows how CPR and AEDs can make all the difference.

Spot cardiac arrest

Someone who isn’t responding and isn’t breathing normally may be in cardiac arrest. Shout for help.

Call 999

Call 999 (or get someone to) and ask for an ambulance. Put the phone on speaker. The call handler will give you instructions and can talk you through CPR.

Push hard and fast

Place your hands in the centre of the chest and push down firmly and fast, about 100 to 120 pushes a minute and roughly 5 to 6 cm deep on an adult, without stopping unless told otherwise. Younger children and babies need different techniques, which are taught in practical training.

Get an AED

If someone can fetch an AED, switch it on and follow the spoken instructions.

Try it

Feel the rhythm

CPR compressions go at about 100 to 120 a minute. Tap the heart in time and see how close you get, or switch on the beat to follow along.

taps a minute

Tap the heart to start.

This is a fun rhythm game, not CPR training. Real CPR must be learnt through practical, supervised training with a qualified provider.

Try it

Use an AED

A person has collapsed on the floor. They aren’t responding and aren’t breathing normally. 999 has been called, and someone has brought the AED bag. Follow the steps and listen to the machine. Turn your sound on to hear it speak.

AED

The AED is in the bag. Open the bag first.

This is a practice game, not training. Real AEDs differ, but they all speak and guide you. Dry a wet chest first, and remove any medication patches. In a real emergency, call 999, get an AED and follow the call handler and the machine. Real first aid must be learnt through practical, supervised training.

A LIFE IS A LIFE. DON’T LET EMBARRASSMENT STAND IN THE WAY OF SAVING ONE.

Some people, particularly some males, hesitate to perform CPR on a woman or girl because they worry about touching or being misunderstood. But CPR is lifesaving medical assistance. Everyone deserves the same chance, whoever they are.

That’s why every child should learn CPR on both male and female training mannequins, so that the skill feels natural for everyone, boys and girls alike.

Doing something is better than doing nothing.

CPR must be learnt through practical, supervised training. This page is an introduction only. In an emergency, call 999 and follow the call handler’s instructions.

Bring CPR to your school

Press and media

Information for local newspapers, radio stations and school newsletters. Please feel free to use anything on this page.

About Harrison

Harrison Foster is 15 and from Hull. He holds a First Aid at Work qualification, which he gained through his training as an army cadet, and he started Learn It. Save a Life. so that other young people can have the chance to learn lifesaving skills at school.

The campaign is independent and isn’t run or endorsed by the Army Cadets or any other organisation. Harrison is a young campaigner, not a qualified first aid instructor.

At a glance

What: a youth-led campaign for practical first aid education for every child in the UK.
Where: starting in East Riding of Yorkshire, aiming for the whole UK.
Asking for: age-appropriate first aid in schools, including CPR, defibrillator (AED) awareness, calling 999 and choking awareness.
Website:

Download photo

Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hull teenager launches youth-led campaign for first aid lessons in every UK school

Harrison Foster, 15, from Hull, has launched Learn It. Save a Life., a youth-led campaign calling for every child in the UK to receive practical first aid education in schools. Harrison holds a First Aid at Work qualification, which he gained through his training as an army cadet, and is starting the campaign in East Riding of Yorkshire with the ambition of reaching the whole country.

The campaign is asking schools, councils, MPs and first aid training providers to support age-appropriate first aid education, including practical CPR training, defibrillator (AED) awareness, how to call 999 and choking awareness. “If I can take the initiative to gain a recognised first aid qualification at 15, imagine what could happen if every child had the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills at school,” said Harrison. Schools can find out more and register their interest at .

Notes to editors

Learn It. Save a Life. is an independent campaign. It is not run or endorsed by the Army Cadets or any other organisation. Harrison is a young campaigner, not a qualified first aid instructor, and the campaign does not replace practical training from a qualified provider. To arrange an interview or request images, please email .

Email the campaign

Media kit

For local newspapers, radio stations, schools and councillors. Please feel free to use anything here.

About the campaign

Learn It. Save a Life. is an independent, youth-led campaign calling for every child to receive practical first aid education in schools. It was started by Harrison Foster, 15, from Hull, and is beginning in East Riding of Yorkshire with the ambition of reaching the whole country.

Our aims

The campaign wants first aid education to be consistent, practical and properly resourced. First aid is already recognised in the statutory health education curriculum in England. The campaign asks whether every pupil receives meaningful opportunities to learn and practise appropriate skills, and encourages schools to use qualified trainers and trusted educational resources.

About the founder

Harrison Foster is 15 and from Hull. He holds a First Aid at Work qualification, gained through his training as an army cadet. He is a young campaigner, not a qualified first aid instructor. The campaign is independent and is not run or endorsed by the Army Cadets or any other organisation.

Quotable statements

If I can take the initiative to gain a recognised first aid qualification at 15, imagine what could happen if every child had the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills at school.

Age should never be a barrier to making a difference.

Let's build a generation that knows what to do when it matters most.

First aid is already recognised within the curriculum. The question is whether every pupil receives consistent, practical and well-resourced opportunities to learn these potentially lifesaving skills.

Small skills. Lifesaving impact.

Learning first aid should not depend on which school you happen to attend.

Download media kit (PDF)Logo PNG (1024 px)Logo SVG Photo Press contact: email us

Press contact: . We don’t claim any endorsements, media coverage or partnerships.

Frequently asked questions

Short, honest answers. Tap a question to open it.

Is first aid already taught in schools?

Yes. Basic first aid is part of the statutory health education curriculum in England. We aren’t saying schools don’t teach it. We’re asking whether every pupil gets consistent, practical and well-resourced opportunities to learn. See what the guidance says.

Why is practical first aid education important?

Emergencies can happen anywhere, and the first person nearby is often not a professional. Practical learning builds the confidence to stay calm, call 999 and get help quickly. The facts page shows why this matters.

Is CPR training safe for younger pupils?

Training should always be supervised, age-appropriate and led by qualified people using suitable equipment. The Department for Education’s guidance notes that CPR is usually best taught after the age of 12. Younger pupils can still learn to recognise an emergency, call 999 and get an adult.

What is the campaign trying to achieve?

We want practical first aid and CPR education to be consistent, practical and properly resourced in schools, starting in East Riding of Yorkshire and aiming for the whole country.

Who is behind the campaign?

Harrison Foster, who is 15 and from Hull. He holds a First Aid at Work qualification gained through army cadet training. The campaign is independent and isn’t run or endorsed by the Army Cadets or any other organisation. Read his story.

Is the campaign funded?

This website doesn’t name any funders or sponsors, and we don’t claim any. If that changes, we’ll say so clearly.

Does the campaign provide medical training?

No. We’re not a training provider, we don’t offer accredited qualifications and Harrison isn’t a qualified first aid instructor. Practical training should come from a qualified provider. See free training and resources.

How can my school get involved?

Register your interest on the schools page, use the assembly pack, display the poster and look at the free resources from established charities. We’d also welcome a conversation.

How can pupils and parents support the campaign?

Send the letter to your headteacher, share the campaign graphics, talk to your family about calling 999 and learn first aid from a qualified provider.

Why is the campaign particularly interested in schools?

Schools reach almost every young person. If practical first aid is taught well there, the skills reach families and communities too.

What is Restart a Heart Day?

An annual awareness day, on and around 16 October, to raise awareness of cardiac arrest and the importance of learning CPR. It is led by Resuscitation Council UK and supported by organisations including the British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross and St John Ambulance. Find out more.

How can I contact the campaign?

Use the contact page or email . Forms are for adults. Please read our safeguarding and transparency statement first.

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