ExxonMobil Fawley donates £30,000 for ‘Mini Medic’ first aid training

THOUSANDS of New Forest schoolchildren are benefiting from lifesaving first aid courses thanks to a £30,000 donation from ExxonMobil.

The petrochemical complex at Fawley is continuing its partnership with New Forest First Aid Training, aiming to enhance safety and provide critical skills to future generations.

The funding will help the organisation to deliver its acclaimed ‘Mini Medics’ courses to 2,500 pupils throughout the academic year.

More than 75 sessions are currently being delivered to students aged seven to 12 across 40 schools in Beaulieu, Blackfield, Dibden Purlieu, Holbury, Hythe and Marchwood, equipping them with essential first aid skills.

Director of New Forest First Aid Training, Joe Day, said: “Those living in rural areas, such as the New Forest, are typically further away from hospitals compared to those in larger cities, which makes immediate first aid even more critical.

“Learning these skills at such a young age helps grow confidence and a sense of responsibility. Thanks to the support from ExxonMobil Fawley, we will teach thousands of students how to respond in an emergency. “Without their funding, we simply would not have been able to provide this additional training.”

Pupils will benefit from practical and theory-based lessons to equip them with vital skills, including life-saving CPR.

Assistant principal at Blackfield Primary School, Josh Rigby, said: “We are passionate about our pupils learning the life skills they need to help look after themselves, their families, and the wider community.

“This training could one day save lives and our students have shown great enthusiasm, which we are thrilled to see. Thank you to ExxonMobil Fawley for making this possible.”

The Fawley complex is the largest in the UK and manufactures a range of energy and chemical products used by communities and businesses every day. Over the past five years, the complex has contributed more than £1m in community support.