MORE than 130 schools across Yorkshire have signed up for pupils to receive life-saving training later this year.

Staff and volunteers from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust will visit secondary schools on Monday October 16 -European Restart a Heart Day- to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to more than 25,000 children in the biggest event of its kind ever seen in the world.

Participating schools in York and North Yorkshire this year include Archbishop Holgate, Barlby High, Bootham, Boroughbridge High, Fulford, Harrogate High, King James’s, Knaresborough, Malton School, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, Queen Margaret’s,Queen Mary’s, Thirsk, Ripon Grammar,Selby College, Selby High School, Selby College, Sherburn High,St Peter’s, Tadcaster Grammar,York College and York High.

Schools taking part in East Yorkshire include Headlands, Bridlington, and The Holy Family Catholic High School, Goole.

The service delivered its first mass training event in 2014 and over the last three years has provided CPR training to more than 51,000 youngsters with support from the Resuscitation Council (UK), British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund and other partner agencies.

All UK ambulance trusts are now involved, with a national ambulance service target this year of 150,000.

Jason Carlyon, of the Yorkshire trust, said: “The majority of cardiac arrests happen in the home so by learning CPR, these youngsters could one day save the life of someone they love.”.

Sara Askew, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Sadly, thousands of lives are being lost every year because people lack the confidence and skills to step in and start CPR which could save a life when someone collapses with a cardiac arrest.

“We need as many people as possible to learn this life-saving skill to give them the confidence to step in and try to save a life.”