Funghi the Fuzz and First Aid

Young drivers in South Down are being invited  to Pizza, Peelers and Plasters days in Warrenpoint and Kilkeel to brush up on their first aid skills with PSNI South Down Neighbourhood Policing Team and South Down Family Health Initiative (SDFHI).

Two First Aid training courses, aimed at 18-25 year old drivers, will take place at the Seashell Centre, Newcastle Street, Kilkeel on Saturday, 2 March, and at SDFHI Office, Great Georges Street, Warrenpoint on Saturday, 9 March.

The course was devised after SDFHI took part in a project with PSNI Rathfriland Neighbourhood Policing Team entitled ‘Keep the Race in its Place’. The Initiative recognised a lack of knowledge among young drivers in relation to basic first aid skills.

The Initiative discussed their idea with South Down Neighbourhood Policing Team who were able to provide funding as well as practical support and the First Aid course was put together.

Constable Alex Beck, South Down NPT, explained: “Constable Stewart Finn from our neighbourhood team won a bursary of £1500 last year when he was voted Personal Police Officer of the year in the Policing in the Community Awards.  Drivers in the 18-25 year old age group are statistically more likely to be involved in a road traffic collision than other age groups and the team recognised the value in providing first aid training and other advice and support to them.  We were keen to use the bursary money for local projects and felt this was exactly the type of scheme that deserved a helping hand.”

Local neighbourhood officers will attend the two training courses to provide guidance and advice on car modification and safe driving. Free pizza and refreshments will be provided.

Places are restricted to 12 per course, but if you can’t get a place don’t panic.  If there is sufficient demand further courses will be run. Places are already filling up as a result of interest generated from SDFHI’s newsletter.

To register telephone SDFHI on 02841774248 or private message the Initiative at the Facebook site through www.southdownhealthinitiative.com. There is also a link from Newry PSNI’s Facebook page at newryandmournepsni.