About us
Who we are and how we started
Little LifeSavers was born from a desire to teach members of the public the vital skill of providing effective CPR. During the Junior Doctors Strike Action in 2016, consultant anaesthetist Dr Barbara Stanley organised drop-in sessions for doctors to meet the public. Some of the doctors taught simple CPR skills alongside explaining to the public why they were striking.
One of the children who attended the drop-in session told his school about it, and the head teacher made the first request. From there, Little LifeSavers was formed to teach school children and pass on the skills needed to create a “nation of lifesavers”.
Little LifeSavers was established as a charity in September 2016. For the first six months, we provided Basic Life Support Skills training to schools throughout West Sussex. Then word began to spread, and we started to set groups up across the UK. In May 2017, Little LifeSavers was featured
on ITV’s This Morning programme and today, we are still growing as more and more people volunteer to learn our simple CPR model and teach it to children.
As our nation of Little LifeSavers continues to grow; so does the chance of a bystander administering CPR successfully and saving a life.
Meet the team
DR BARBARA STANLEY
Walking along the road one day in 2016, past a schoolboy with his older adult family member and the Lord God blessed me with both a question – “If she suddenly collapsed and her heart stopped, how will he know how to help her?” – as well as its answer, presented as a full “film-reel” vision of a free practical CPR teaching session for school children, as a way to transfer essential information many adults have to children.
And so Little LifeSavers was born. Everyone I excitedly spoke to about this good idea agreed and within weeks it had support to begin.
8 years, 18,000 children trained and 3 lives that we know of saved and the Lord God is still providing for us. The road has been bumpy, with lots of ups-and-downs but we’re grateful for all the wonderful volunteers, supporters and of course the children with whom we are blessed.
It’s our hope that Little LifeSavers will become widely available across the UK and perhaps even in other countries, so that young people everywhere can have both the encouragement and the basic knowledge to step up and offer help to another who suddenly collapses or chokes. Little LifeSavers is one way we can follow Lord Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34) when it is most needed.
CAROLINE READ
I am the Office Manager for Little LifeSavers and assist with the day to day running of this wonderful charity. I am married with two teenage children who keep us on our toes. When not working, we love caravanning, enjoying the great outdoors and movie nights in.
I am proud to represent this charity and keen to ensure its continued success, whether that be via fundraising, increasing volunteer numbers and indeed awareness of the charity – with the ultimate aim of equipping children with the skills, knowledge and confidence to carry out basic lifesaving skills when needed.
GEORGIE MCCALL
I am the Operations Manager for Little LifeSavers and I assist schools to make their bookings and ensure that all the sessions run as smoothly as possible from start to finish. I also run the charity’s social media channels.
When I’m not at work, I can be found enjoying time with my young family, being active or doing something creative!
I am so excited to be a part of this fabulous charity – I think I have the best job! It is so fulfilling knowing that we are achieving such meaningful goals and empowering children with important lifesaving skills.
KAREN BRENT
I am a retired technical writer and mum of three. I am based in West Sussex and starting volunteering with Little LifeSavers in 2023.
When I started with the charity, I knew nothing about CPR and would not have known what to do if someone had collapsed in front of me. Now, I am excited to be involved with teaching children the basics of resuscitation and practising the skills myself.
As a trustee, my role within the charity is to be the main contact for any GDPR queries and to help with the content and design of the web site and booking system.
CLARE BUCKLAND
A Cheshire lass by birth, I now live on the sunny South Coast with my husband and two children.
I first learned CPR just after passing my bike test just over 10 years ago and promptly forgot most of it! Being a volunteer and teaching children keeps my skills up to date with regular practice.
I work part time in a hospitality allied trade which allows me to volunteer for a number of sessions throughout the year, although not as many as I’d like.
I wholeheartedly believe in the very simple yet very important message that Little Lifesavers promote. Children are our future so let’s equip and empower them with life changing skills.
TIM WALDER
I am a dedicated and engaging Senior Director with a strong background in supporting the delivery of major UK and international aviation programmes and master plans. With over 40 years of experience, I am known for my strategic mindset and practical approach to business. I am also a qualified life coach and mentor and sit on the Steering Board for the West Sussex & Brighton Councils Careers Hub. I have a passion for the environment and for supporting organisations, like Little Lifesavers, that work to strengthen and serve the community.
Charity Number: 1169176
Little LifeSavers teaches Basic Life Support (BLS) Skills and CPR to children from ages 9 – 13 within school in term-time. There is no fee for the training. However, if your school would like to fundraise for our charity, then this would be gratefully received.
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