A schoolboy has issued a plea for mandatory CPR lessons in schools after losing both of his parents to heart conditions within years of each other.
Cameron McGerr, 16, from Gourock, launched the ‘Pulse for Life’ campaign, which aims to make CPR lessons mandatory in Scottish schools.
His mum Lynne died following a heart attack in April 2022, with dad Kevin passing away from cardiac arrest in February.
The Clydeview Academy pupil told STV News: “Both came as a shock. But I’d decided I wanted to do something about it.
“My parents would have wanted the best for me. They wouldn’t have wanted me sat around waiting – I’d say I still am grieving, but this is just my way of it.
STV News“They’d want me to go out and make a difference to people.”
Cameron has now taken his campaign to the Scottish Parliament, calling for a lesson to be implemented during PE lessons.
He hopes that he will see a full training session given early in secondary school, with a refresher in fourth year.
“It feels really surreal, the distance I’ve come – I’ve been able to do with the time I’ve got without taking time away from studying. I didn’t expect it.”
Cameron has taken his campaign to the Scottish Parliament, calling for a lesson to be implemented during PE lessons.
He hopes that he will see a full training session given early in secondary school, with a refresher in fourth year.
On September 30, Cameron was invited to deliver the time for reflection speech to the chamber at Holyrood.
STV NewsThis week also marked what would have been his parents’ wedding anniversary.
“It’s a special thing for me that I came here,” he added. “It sends a message and shows the memory of my mum and dad.”
Local MSP Stuart McMillan threw his weight behind Cameron’s campaign.
McMillian said: “I wanted to help him as much as I possibly can.
“And I thought this sort of platform would be helpful for him to get that message over to the politicians of all stripes.”
The Pulse for Life campaign also has the support of St Andrew’s First Aid.
The charity delivers a number of CPR workshops to youngsters already, including one to Cameron and some of his fellow pupils.
Trainer Martyn McLauchlan told STV News: “About eight out of ten cardiac arrests happen in the home.
“So predominantly it’s going to be young people who are quite close to that.”
“We fully back Cameron’s campaign – it’s very, very important.”
Cameron told MSPs: “This will be a long process” but finished by saying the chance would “make an astronomical difference.”
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