Cardiac arrest survivor joins unique CPR challenge

A man whose life was saved by CPR after suffering a cardiac arrest will take part in a unique fundraising challenge.

Telford Community First Responders (CFRs) will attempt to deliver continuous CPR on a mannequin from sunrise to sunset on the longest day of the year, using the event to raise awareness of life-saving skills and support their volunteer scheme.

The challenge will take place at the Halfway House Café on the Wrekin on 21 June, with volunteers taking turns to keep going throughout the day.

Among those taking part will be Peter Corr, from Telford, who knows better than most how important early intervention can be.

Corr collapsed while out on a morning run in 2019 after suffering a cardiac arrest and survived thanks to the actions of bystanders who immediately began CPR before emergency services arrived.

Since then, he has become a community first responder and has taken on a series of fundraising challenges to support the scheme.

"It was a passer-by who performed CPR that allowed me to make a full recovery, and so I wanted to get involved in being able to spread the message and educate people myself," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"We hope the event will raise awareness of the importance of learning CPR and highlight the life-changing impact that early intervention can have, not only for those whose lives are saved but also for their families and loved ones."

Community groups, organisations and members of the public are being invited to join in and help keep the challenge going.

One mannequin will be used by the first responders, and others will be available for the public to use if they get involved.

Corr said organisers hoped the event would encourage more people to learn the skill and understand the difference it can make.

He added: "From the point of sunrise, one of the responders will start performing CPR and then between us we're going to - on a rotation basis - keep going on our mannequins throughout the day.

Funds raised during the event will go towards replacing the group's ageing 4x4 response vehicle, helping volunteers to continue providing rapid assistance across the local area.

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