Mothers United by Tragedy Offer Emergency Skills Training

The organization known as 4 Mums Talking, comprising mothers who connected following individual tragedies, seeks to empower individuals with the proficiency and assurance required to manage urgent scenarios. This group is conducting a session in Norfolk where it is imparting essential practical techniques, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and methods for controlling bleeding in the event of a stabbing. Sally Panks, a member of the collective, indicated that their initial connection was established via social media platforms. She stated, “We all have our lived experience of what we have gone through with our children and just to be able to help even one person is a job well done for us.” Ms. Panks, who previously founded a non-profit enterprise providing kits for individuals impacted by self-harm, collaborated with the other women, among them Margaret Oakes. Ms. Oakes established Raymond James Quigley’s Legacy, an initiative named in remembrance of her son, originally from Wymondham, Norfolk, who was fatally stabbed in Ipswich in January 2023. Subsequently, she has advocated for the deployment of bleed-control kits throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. Additional members of the collective include Jayne Biggs, who established Heart 2 Heart Norfolk, and Michele Judd, representing MJ Training East. Their inaugural session is scheduled to take place at the Black Swan Theatre in North Walsham on Monday. Ms. Panks articulated, “We are trying to promote confidence and awareness… Jayne’s story is that her daughter needed CPR and there wasn’t a defibrillator available… it is really, really important that there is life-saving equipment available in case of emergency.” She further elaborated, “It doesn’t necessarily need to be a heart attack or a stabbing; it could be a car accident [or]… anything where these things are needed and need to be at hand.” During the evening, the women intend to recount their personal experiences. Ms. Panks remarked, “For us, it is very personal.” She added, “We are very passionate about what we do. We just want people to be safe; to have more confidence in a difficult situation.”