Students learn life-saving skills during CPR challenge

| By Michelle Crean

Students CPR and life-saving skills were put to the test under the scrutiny of the Killarney First Responders on Friday as part of an awareness day.

The great community event involved 180 students in Killarney Community College as part of the Schools CPR Challenge 2023.

Students came from Killarney Community College, St Brendan's College and St Brigid's Presentation Secondary School to participate in the fun and educational event.

There was a competitive element as well with wonderful prizes, including a brand new iPhone up for grabs!

In attendance on the day was Minister for Education Norma Foley, Michael Linehan Heartsafe Killarney, the National Ambulance Service, the Order of Malta, Spin South West, the amazing dance act in the INEC.

Response Unit who organised it.

It provided a great opportunity for CPR awareness and great competitiveness and fun had by all.

Minister Foley mingled and chatted to students while observing their life-saving skills. Principal and host school of the event, Stella Loughnane, was full of praise for the event.

"It was great to see such enthusiasm to learn and share such important life-saving skills that might some day save a life," she said.

"CPR is an essential life skill that students don't necessarily get the chance to learn in the classroom, so we are therefore grateful for this learning opportunity. We are most grateful to the Killarney Community First Responders who set up the hall and ran the even so smoothly."

It had been a huge team effort from months of rehearsals to hours of planning and costume making as well as set design and more!

Songs and performances included Matilda, The Greatest Showman, Beauty & the Beast, Hairspray, Dear Evan Hansen and many more in what was an epic production.

"We got great support from the schools," speaking about the first show,

Linda O'Donoghue, PRO for the Killarney Musical Society, told the Killarney Advertiser.

"They came to see their classmates and teachers."

She added that all audiences "were very appreciative also" and that there were fabulous spot prizes and vouchers and goodies from local businesses, up for grabs. Marie Slattery O’Sullivan prepared fabulous spot prizes.

"She got vouchers and goodies from local businesses and prepared a huge hamper for first prize which was won by Rosie Healy from Glenflesk. There were four other great prizes also."