WINCHESTER’S mayor has been given life-saving lessons following a visit from St John Ambulance’s volunteers.

Members from the Winchester unit demonstrated life-saving first aid to the Cllr David McLean when he visited their base in St John House, Worthy Lane with wife Diane.

The pair watched adult volunteers and cadets demonstrate skills such as how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the recovery position, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

They were also given a tour of the building and chatted to the volunteers about their experiences and what it means for them to be part of St John Ambulance.

Unit manager Robert Ham said: “It was real pleasure to have Cllr McLean visit us at the unit. We hope [they] now appreciate how easy it is to learn first aid, and what an incredible impact it can have in our local community. Our volunteers could potentially use their skills to save a life at any time – at home, in the workplace, or to help someone who’s collapsed in the street.”

Cllr McLean added: “The importance of the training given by the St John Ambulance volunteers is vital to our community, and their major events cover is second to none. I was shown how to use a defibrillator – a new skill all should know!”

For more information on St John Ambulance, including how to make a donation, volunteering opportunities, and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 0303 003 0101.