A MUM from Prudhoe has relocated back to the area and will be launching a business aimed at teaching parents and carers first aid skills.

Gail Atkins, who has recently moved back to Prudhoe after 26 years, is bringing Mini First Aid to Tynedale.

Mini First Aid is already up and running in other parts of the country, but had no presence in the North-East.

Gail was introduced to the franchise by her friend who runs it in Dorset, and is now bringing it to her home town and beyond.

Gail will be running the business on her own and will be covering Tynedale, as well as areas as far as Durham and Teeside.

Gail said: “I have an almost three year old at home, and I have always been very aware of the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency.

“In my previous job as a HR Manager I had responsibility for first aid.

“My husband is ex-army and is very active, and with having a child I think the thought of something happening to one of them and not knowing what to do is quite scary.”

Like Gail, many of the people the classes will be aimed at are new parents, but she said anyone looking after children should know basic first aid.

She said: “People are increasingly leaving their children with family members due to the price of childcare.

“Parents want to know that when they leave their child with a someone, they are equipped to deal with an emergency situation when it happens.”

Despite not launching her business until October 19, she has already had bookings for two classes in Durham in October and two in Stocksfield in November.

She is already in talks with several venues about using their space to give classes such as the Funstation in Prudhoe, Masonic Hall in Hexham and Corbridge’s Community Centre.

Gail added: “I think it is so important that anyone dealing with children knows how to act in an emergency situation. It really can be life or death.

“Knowing basic skills also gives parents, grandparents and carers the confidence not to panic and potentially to save a child’s life.”

Classes are informal but informative and cover choking, basic life support, dealing with burns, breaks and bumps, febrile seizures and meningitis awareness.