Published at 12:58, Tuesday, 01 December 2009

TELL us a little about yourself? I was born in Barrow and currently live in Barrow.

My mum and dad live in Barrow and I have a sister who lives in Germany.

What are your interests? Going to the gym and you can’t beat a little retail therapy.

What was your first job? My first job was working at the Engineers’ Club on Abbey Road so I could fund myself whilst I was at college.

Other careers you might have liked? When I was at school, I always wanted to be a nurse.

What gives you the biggest work buzz? Knowing that I am giving people vital information that could help them to save peoples lives.

How did you get involved with first aid? From a young age I attended St John Ambulance, where I gained several qualifications including my Grand Prior award.

I was then involved in running the cadets but unfortunately my full-time job became very demanding and had to give it up.

What was the trigger for setting up First Aid 4 All? Through talking in a performance management meeting.

Saying I wanted to be able to give people the skills that I had gained whilst attending courses.

I then looked around and found a trainer’s course and from there I knew that it was what I wanted to do.

How is the business going?The business is going from strength to strength with opportunities to develop it further.

Have the rules over first aid at work changed recently and what does that mean for firms? Firms used to send staff on a four-day first aid at work course, which was very costly.

Now people can attend a one-day emergency first aid at work course which covers all aspects for people in low-risk work places.

It is more cost effective and firms can have the correct number of staff trained under the health and safety laws.

What should Furness do to create more jobs? Business rates and rental prices are very high and reducing theses would help people to have a base for their business to run from.

Have you been affected by the credit crunch? The credit crunch has affected us all, especially smaller companies as they are unable to afford to have staff trained and gaining the qualifications required.

Who is to blame for the crunch and what should be done to solve it? Probably the people involved in banking world-wide.

What has the internet done for you ? I have been able to set up my own website www.firstaid4all.org.uk.

I have been able to send emails to market my business which is cost free, which helps in the setting-up process.

It has helped me find links so I can contact other people.

Your favourite website/s? Apart from my own – www.firstaid4all.org.uk – I would say facebook, where I can keep in touch with family and friends who don’t live in the area.

One of your best achievements? I have to say setting up my own business.

One of your failures? Not setting up my own business sooner.

Your favourite place? Wherever I am at the time with my family and friends.

Least favourite responsibility ? Having to pay a mortgage and bills.

Names some of your heroes and villains? I have to say my heroes would be my mum and dad as they have always been there to support me in everything I do.

Villains I am not too sure of.

What firms/ organisations do you most admire?Bram Longstaffe Nursery School for all the support and dedication from the staff and parents whilst I have been setting up my business.

Cory Jones from First Aid Academy for putting me through my training and ITC for being supportive whilst I am up and running.

How do you relax? I like to go to the gym, but who can beat having a glass of wine and a good chat with your friends.

Your first car? My first car was a little red Mini Metro.

How would you improve Furness/South/West Cumbria if you had unlimited power and funds? Build two bridges one over Morecambe Bay and one over the Duddon Estuary to enable safer and quicker links to other parts of the county.

A Morecambe Bay bridge would give me access to a different county as courses are delivered nationwide.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk