CUSTOMERS at the Peel Cafe in Glentress Forest learned life-saving skills on Tuesday.

Hosted by Lucy Husband from FAST (First Aid Skills Training) in Peebles, members of the community were shown how to do CPR and use a defibrillator.

The event was set up to mark World Restart a Heart Day – a global initiative which aims to teach people how to save a life.

And it was so successful, Lucy is looking at doing a similar event to mark the occasion next year.

She told us: “I had advertised the event on social media and was very pleased with the turnout. There were quite a few kids getting involved and there actually seemed to be quite a few emergency service team members in the cafe at the time too.

“The children seemed to know quite a bit about CPR, because of what they have learned at school and at local clubs such as the Scouts and Cubs.”

Cafe customers were also taught how to use AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators) in emergencies.

Lucy added: “I think it was important that we had an event like this because I think some people are quite worried about using AEDs. We want to promote familiarity.

“They were designed so that people who have never set eyes on them before are able to operate them.

“It is better to do something, than do nothing in an emergency.”

And Lucy says she has had great responses from people who took park.

She added: “It was really nice to get out to the cafe and just get talking to people about building their confidence.

“CPR is an important life skill and I think everybody enjoyed the session. I would like to do something similar again.

“I would also like to thank Val Brunton and her team from the Peel Cafe for allowing us to host the event there. We got a lot of people through the door – including a lot of cyclists who were passing by.”

For more information about FAST in Peebles, visit: www.firstaid-skills-training.co.uk