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Starbeck Badger of the Year shares lifesaving skills with classmates

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 07:53

10-year-old Stella Dennis, from Starbeck Badgers, is the Badger of the Year.

A 10-year-old St John Ambulance Badger has helped teach 30 classmates lifesaving first aid skills at a Knaresborough primary school.

Stella Dennis, from Starbeck Badgers, is the Badger of the Year for North Yorkshire and Teesside.

She approached her teacher, Kate Matthews, at St John’s Primary School about giving her classmates the opportunity to take part in the Save a Life September awareness programme.

Although permission was not received in time for September, Stella was determined to make the session happen.

On Tuesday 6th October, she joined St John Ambulance youth leader Helen Rogers to teach 30 Year 6 pupils in Class 9.

The pair used the school’s main hall to demonstrate first aid skills, including the recovery position and CPR.

Stella explained the first aid assessment known as DRABC – Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation – and what to do before placing an unconscious casualty into the recovery position.

She also demonstrated what to do if a baby is choking and helped pupils check their hand positions for CPR.

Helen Rogers said:

“The children were very enthusiastic learners and a joy to teach. Stella believes everyone should learn first aid because you never know when you might need it and be able to help someone.

“Stella is doing really well. Sometimes her self-confidence can hold her back, so it was wonderful to see her sharing her first aid knowledge with her classmates. I hope the experience has given her another boost in the right direction.”

Kate Matthews said:

“Thank you again for coming in and showing the class such valuable first aid as part of the Save a Life September awareness programme.

"It was excellent, and the children said afterwards how much they had enjoyed it.”

The session gave pupils the chance to learn practical skills that could help them respond if someone became ill or injured, while Stella shared the knowledge she has developed through St John Ambulance Badgers.

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