Andover company makes national First Aid Award shortlist

Andover based health care provider Simplyhealth has once again been short listed in the financial services sector at the second St John Ambulance First Aid Awards. They'll find out if they've been successful at a glittering event in London on Monday 19 November, hosted by survival expert Ray Mears who has himself used first aid many times. It is set to be an inspirational occasion, showcasing first aid success stories across the country.

Simplyhealth who won the award last year has 75 fully qualified first aiders across eight UK locations. The company intranet has pages dedicated to first aid providing current and accurate information to everyone, including helpful details of the first aid teams. Each first aider is issued with their own first response first aid kit, and the company has recently installed evacuation chairs as an extra precaution. It is this dedication to first aid which won them the award last year and has once again seen them make the shortlist for the 2012 awards.

Arthur Withers, Health and Safety Manager at Simplyhealth comments: 'We are delighted to be short listed for this year's St John Ambulance First Aid Awards. The health and wellbeing of our employees is very important to us. We have a fantastic team of first aiders across all of our locations who take part in regular training to ensure that they stay up to date with the latest developments. We are continuously looking for ways to build on our current policies and plans and we are delighted to be recognised at one of the industry's most prestigious events.'

The awards were first launched in July last year to celebrate individuals, businesses and communities that are leading the way in first aid. Trophies go to organisations who have exemplary first aid standards and heroes who have been the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

Simplyhealth is up against Fidelity Worldwide Investment and the Royal Bank of Canada in this category and is also battling it out to be recognised for the overall category of Organisation of the Year.

Awards at the celebratory black-tie awards dinner will be presented by celebrities including Dragons' Den star and businessman Duncan Bannatyne, singer Michelle Heaton who needed first aid when she collapsed at a marathon and TV presenter Matthew Wright, whose life was saved when he choked.

Why the awards are needed
Each year up to 140,000* people die in situations where first aid could have given them the chance to live. St John Ambulance wants to put an end to needless deaths and encourage everyone to have the skills to save a life. These awards aim to raise awareness of the importance of first aid and celebrate organisations who take first aid seriously, and those who have put their knowledge to use.

Richard Evens, Chair of Judges for the St John Ambulance First Aid Awards, said: 'It is fantastic to see that so many companies are taking first aid seriously and protecting visitors and customers as well as staff. So many of these organisations have put plans in place which have saved lives. I'm pleased that our awards celebrate their achievements.'

Full details on the awards can be found at www.sja.org.uk/firstaidawards

For more information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact: Becky Trotman, Regional PR and Fundraising Officer on 0118 933 5518 or 07814 390 463. becky.trotman@nhq.sja.org.uk

For further information about Simplyhealth please contact Lynsey Thorp on 0844 579 2266