Aberystwyth schoolchildren learn about lifesaving service as part of ‘people who help us’ project
PUPILS at an Aberystwyth primary school were given a fascinating insight into the work of the Wales Air Ambulance when a representative from the charity visited as part of their classroom studies.
Emily Bell, Regional Fundraising Coordinator for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, recently visited Dosbarth Leri at St Padarn’s Catholic Primary School, where Reception pupils are learning about “people who help us”.
The visit included a presentation to the class of four and five-year-olds, as well as a whole-school assembly explaining the role of the charity and the lifesaving work carried out by its crews across Wales.
Rhian Parry, teacher of Dosbarth Leri, said the visit had been a valuable addition to the pupils’ learning.
“Our reception class are currently learning about people who help us, so the visit fitted perfectly with our topic work and we jumped at the opportunity to have Emily visit us,” she said.
“It made the children’s learning authentic and really brought the topic to life. The whole school benefited from the visit through a whole-school assembly, and parents were also able to get involved during a coffee afternoon.
“The visit was very informative and beneficial. We learned a lot about the air ambulance service, the amazing work they do and how the charity is funded. It gave both the children and staff a much greater understanding of the vital role the air ambulance plays in helping people in emergencies.”
Ms Parry said the children were particularly enthusiastic about the interactive elements of the session, including the opportunity to lift a medical bag used by crews and pose as Wales Air Ambulance medics using a special cardboard cut-out.
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity delivers advanced critical care across the country through a partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS). The service provides hospital-standard treatments at the scene of serious incidents and can transport patients directly to specialist hospitals when required.
The charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million needed each year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Emily Bell said she had enjoyed meeting the pupils and sharing information about the service.
“It was wonderful to visit the school and give a presentation on the lifesaving work we do at the Wales Air Ambulance,” she said.
“The children were wonderful and asked so many good questions. They were very interested in the charity and how we help people across the country.
“I was delighted to explain the importance of the Wales Air Ambulance to the people of Wales and how we use rapid response cars as well as helicopters to attend patients.
“Thank you to everyone at St Padarn’s School for such a warm welcome. I really enjoyed meeting you all.”
The visit formed part of the school’s ongoing efforts to help pupils understand the important roles played by emergency services and charities within their communities.
