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Georgina Withers, known as Georgie
30, from Wisbech
Full time paramedic for the East of England ambulance service and NARS volunteer paramedic.
When did you start working with NARS?
I joined in May 2019 as a paramedic and also run CPR workshops in primary schools. I’m really proud that by the end of the year, I will have provided training to over 800 children in Norfolk this year. I also work full time as a paramedic for the East of England ambulance service and am also doing a top up degree in paramedic practice.
Why is it so important to teach CPR to children?
CPR is so important and there is a lack of education in the community about life saving skills.
I was a girl guide when I was younger and I know how responsive children are and it is so important to teach them young as they retain information.
Giving them skills to save and look after others is incredibly important. They also really enjoy the CPR lessons and get to know how to recognise a person in need of medical assistance, how to call for help and how to perform CPR.
Learning skills like CPR can give young people the confidence to know that they can step in to help someone else in need and, in some cases, help save lives.
Why did you get involved with NARS?
I always wanted to be a paramedic and help people. NARS is such an important charity in the local community and I am so passionate about it. We are all volunteers and our care helps save lives and provides support to families and loved ones.
How do you deal with some of the difficult situations you face in your work?
We all deal with it in our own way, but we always know that we have each other to talk to, and we are always there for each other. One of the hardest things was dealing with a traumatic cardiac arrest with a lorry crashing and a young man sadly died as a result. We got a letter from the family saying thank you as he wasn’t alone when he died.
What do you do to switch off from your work as a paramedic?
I go to the gym to relax and am part of a netball team.
What will you be doing to motivate each other on the walk?
We will be listening to music and probably having a sing-along!
What are you doing to practice?
I’m doing all three days and I did a 10-mile practice walk with just a third of the weight we will be carrying and it was really hard. My endurance is good but carrying that extra weight is really hard! We’ll all be helping each other though.
