TWO staff members at the USN Bolton Arena have won a gold award for their ongoing work helping others learn life-saving techniques.

Lesley Hough, Customer Services Manager, and Nicola Toole, Senior Customer Services Manager, at the Middlebrook venue won the highest level in the North-West Ambulance Service Cardiac Smart Awards.

Previously, the life-saving duo have won the silver award as well as winning the Innovation category in the British Heart Foundation Heart Hero Awards last year.

This latest award recognises the work that Lesley and Nicola have put in training almost all of the Arena’s 120 or so staff in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) techniques and the use of AED (Automated External Defibrillator). They have also trained outside groups and gone into local schools to share their knowledge and training expertise.

“We were delighted to receive the gold award,” stated Lesley, “because it feels good to have our efforts acknowledged.

“Receiving this award recognises the work Nicola and I have put into training not only the staff here at the Arena but members of the public so they have the skills and knowledge to use the chain of survival.

“The chain of survival refers to a series of actions that, properly executed, reduce the mortality associated with cardiac arrest. The four related links in the chain of survival are early diagnosis and the reporting of the incident to 999, early CPR, early defibrillation and early advanced cardiac life support.

“Although it’s very rare to be called on to perform these techniques, knowing that we have trained and are continuing to train individuals in these life-saving skills is crucial.

In 2013, Lesley did help save the life of a football fan who had collapsed in the street close to the Arena after a Bolton Wanderers’ match. She was able to take the AED and work with others to get his heart re-started.

“That sort of situation doesn’t happen often, thankfully,” added Lesley. “But it’s so important to have the knowledge and the equipment available when it does.”