'If I didn't know first aid I would have lost my best friends'

A 15-year-old who saved the lives of two of his friends has begun a campaign for life-saving skills to be taught in schools and workplaces.

Charlie from Blackpool, first saved a life when he put his choking friend in the recovery position, keeping their airway clear while waiting for an ambulance.

On the second occasion last weekend, he rescued a friend by towing them back to shore after the pair got into difficulty swimming in the sea.

"I just want more people to know about basic first aiding," Charlie said. "Because if I didn't [know first aid] I would have lost two of my best friends."

Charlie has teamed up with his wrestling coach Ross Goodwin at Rascals Enhancing Lives Community Hub, to launch the campaign for more people to learn first aid.

"We're reaching out to different schools and communities to make sure that they have basic first aid training," he said.

"I think the campaign is really important, to be honest, because if I didn't know basic first aid then my mates might not even be here."

He recalled how his friend at school had started choking and so he put them into the recovery position.

"He is one of our best mates so it was quite scary to see," Charlie said. "He just started coughing and he was like, 'I'm choking'.

"All my other mates just stared at him with a blank face.

"So I had to step in.

"I know basic first aid, so I know what to do if someone's choking.

"My parents both have first aid qualifications and taught me."

Last week Charlie said he saved the life of a second friend after the boy got into trouble during a trip to a beach.

"He realised he was out of his depth," he said. "I told him to grab my leg whilst I swim but he was struggling to.

"He just clung on to me, grabbing my legs, my shoulders, my arm.

"The only thing going through my mind at that point was to keep us both safe and to keep us both alive."

An aspiring professional wrestler, Charlie credited his ability to remain composed to his training at Rascals Enhancing Lives Community Hub.

"I do professional wrestling and judo, so I know how to stay calm under pressure," he said.

After saving his friend from drowning, paramedics called Charlie's mum Andrea, who was relieved to hear they were both safe.

Andrea said she was immensely proud of her son's actions and was a big supporter of the campaign.

First aid should be taught in schools, she said, especially as they lived by the sea.

She added: "It's just getting started, it's his and [his coach] Ross' idea.

"I trust Ross immensely the way he's taught the judo and wrestling it gave Charlie the confidence and strength to do what he's been able to do."

Goodwin said: "Charlie represents everything we try to build in our young people.

"Success in sport is fantastic, but developing character, discipline, courage and the ability to help others is what truly matters.

"We are incredibly proud of Charlie, and he is an inspiration to our entire community."

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