Hunstanton Town Council has agreed to support Smithdon High School with funding to provide First Aid and AED (defibrillator) training for students, continuing a long-standing programme that has already equipped hundreds of young people with essential lifesaving skills.
At the council’s Full Meeting on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, councillors unanimously approved a grant of £1,203.20 to fund the training of 114 students. Each participant will earn a nationally recognised Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate with AED instruction, valid for three years.
The initiative began several years ago after a group of students raised money to install a defibrillator in the local community, inspired by the absence of nearby lifesaving equipment. Since then, Smithdon students have consistently demonstrated dedication to helping others, acquiring skills that benefit both themselves and the wider Hunstanton area.
Over the past seven years, hundreds of students have participated in the programme, including young people from low-income backgrounds and those with special educational needs. The training has also supported GCSE studies, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and career development, with many former students returning to thank the school for equipping them to respond to real-life emergencies, increase their confidence, and enhance their prospects for further education or employment.
Numbers of students trained in recent years include 68 in 2018/19, 140 in 2020/21 (including those affected by COVID-19), 130 in 2022/23, 120 in 2023/24, and 48 in 2024/25.
A spokesperson from Smithdon High School commented on the council’s decision: “This is amazing news to end the half term! We’re so grateful to Hunstanton Town Council for supporting this initiative once again. I’ll be booking in the training dates very soon, and it would be wonderful to welcome the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to join us when the sessions take place.”
The council said it was proud to back a project that not only equips young people with life-saving skills but also strengthens the safety and resilience of the local community. With an ageing population and increasing demands on NHS services, more residents trained in First Aid can make a tangible difference in emergencies.
Research highlights the importance of these skills. A recent study presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference revealed that public access defibrillators are used in only 10 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests where the devices are available. Data from the East of England Ambulance Service and The Circuit, the national defibrillator network, showed that of 1,649 cardiac arrests between April and September 2022, defibrillators were accessible within 500 metres in 1,302 cases but used in just 132.
Experts warn that public awareness and education are key to increasing the use of defibrillators. Dr Thomas Keeble of Essex Cardiothoracic Centre and Anglia Ruskin University said: “Our study highlights strikingly low numbers of publicly available defibrillators being used in the event of a cardiac arrest. Much more needs to be done to promote awareness and education around CPR and defibrillation.”
Dr Simon Walsh, Medical Director at the East of England Ambulance Service, noted that since September 2022, over 1,500 Public Access Defibrillators have been added to the service’s database, along with the expansion of community first responder schemes to improve access during emergencies. Judy O’Sullivan, Director of Innovation in Health Programmes, added: “Prompt CPR and defibrillation from bystanders can be the difference between life and death. More needs to be done to encourage people to use these lifesaving devices when they are available.”
Hunstanton Town Council’s support for Smithdon High School continues a vital programme that ensures young people gain practical, life-saving skills while fostering a safer, more prepared community. By training students in both First Aid and AED use, the initiative helps increase survival chances in emergencies and promotes confidence, responsibility, and community engagement..
