A GROUP of volunteers has set up an initiative which will help to save lives across the Petersfield area.

Saving Lives Together was launched at the beginning of last month and its aims are to teach people CPR?(Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and defibrillator use to reduce deaths caused by out of hospital cardiac arrest.

The idea was put in motion by group founder Aisa Fraser, following the deaths of three close friends in Petersfield last year.

She feels that by raising awareness of the issues and educating more people with the required skills, more lives could be saved in and around the town in future.

Aisa said: “We are aiming to spread our message to as many people as possible by talking to them and working in partnership with organisations around the town.

“Figures currently show that only around 40 per cent of bystanders will administer CPR if they discover someone who has had a cardiac arrest.

“We want to give people the skills to be able to respond in these situations and also improve the use of defibrillators by highlighting how to use them and where they are kept locally.”

Aisa encountered a similar initiative when she worked in Edinburgh and the volunteers who have helped to form the new group all have medical backgrounds in Petersfield and the surrounding area.

Three sessions have already been held at Sheet Village Hall, Petersfield Rugby Club and the Swan Surgery and all were met with enthusiastic support.

The group is keen to hear from anyone who wishes to support it and members are keen to bring in more funding to spread their work further. Visit www.facebook.com/SavingLivesTogether.co.uk