Young people learn First Aid and eat like a player

During the school holidays, Killie’s Community Trust welcomed over 50 young people to Rugby Park to take part in vital First Aid training – through a programme called ‘Fitba First’.

“Providing every young person with the best and fairest opportunities in life is a vital strategic aim of Kilmarnock FC”.

To ensure this was possible during the Summer and October Holidays, the team at Killie’s Community Trust opened up Rugby Park for young people from some of Kilmarnock’s most deprived areas to take part in the educational programme ‘Fitba First’.

Fitba First is a week-long programme backed by the Scottish Football Partnership Trust and the UEFA Foundation, incorporating vital First Aid training for young people and allowing them to gain leadership skills and experience.

The group from Shortlees and nearby areas arrived at Rugby Park for 10am each day – with transport provided by Evans Halshaw Kilmarnock, and volunteer assistance from a young supporter, David, 14 – where they were welcomed with  healthy breakfasts waiting for them. Daryl and Mairi from Killie’s Community Trust were on hand to get the group talking about the importance of nutrition in our daily lives.

From then, First Aid, CPR and defibrilator training began. “It was amazing to see the level of knowledge retention in the young people by the end of the week. They became more confident in performing CPR, their understanding of the Doctors’ ABC, and in using our new community defibrilator donated thanks to the recent fundraising of Scott McCue following the passing of his father Colin”, said Daryl Knapp, Community Support Officer.

“It’s important to all of us at Killie that we educate as many young supporters as possible in these vital, life-saving skills.”

At the week’s end, club captain, Alan Power, surprised our group by presenting them all with their First Aid and Fitba First certificates.