Nottinghamshire schools are benefiting from first aid courses after a family business secured funds from a Dragon after an appearance on the popular BBC One show, Dragon's Den. Parents of six, Kate and Matt Ball, started Mini First Aid in 2014 from their Leeds home, which offers baby and child first aid classes to parents, but also classes for children as young as three.
The business has grown over the years as Kate and Matt franchised it, and within that, franchisee Maria Matthews runs Mini First Aid Nottingham & Derby Ltd. Maria teaches a range of first aid courses in Nottingham, Derby, and Chesterfield.
The Ball family appeared on the 18th season of Dragon's Den, and made their pitch for a £50,000 investment in return for 10% of the business. Sara Davies made an offer the pair couldn't refuse, and brings with her years of experience as her multinational company Crafter's Companion has a turnover of more than £34 million per year.
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Sara said: "Kate and her family gave us a hugely impactful pitch in the Den and I was instantly impressed by her and Mini First Aid. I am thrilled that Kate accepted my offer. I’m looking forward to working with her and making our plans come to life."
Kate and Matt were "thrilled" by Sara coming on board with the business. Kate said: "The whole Dragons’ Den experience has been incredible. Family is right at the heart of everything we do at Mini First Aid, so it felt completely right for the children to be involved.
"Bringing our youngest set of twins was just too tricky though. Sara and I have some really exciting ideas." Following the appearance on the show, Mini First Aid has teamed up with Savlon to bring first aid classes into primary schools.
Franchisee Maria was able to offer free sessions to more than a hundred children last year thanks to Savlon's involvement, and this year taught a further 60 Year 6 pupils at Brooklands Primary School with more Savlon funding.
Sara Davies said: “As first aid is such a vital life lesson, it’s amazing that Mini First Aid and Savlon have partnered up to deliver such a positive and impactful initiative. The classes have provided the children of Brooklands Primary School with skills that they not only use throughout their childhood, but later in life too.”
Maria explained that all of the Year Six pupils at Brooklands Primary school were trained in her kids class, "which covers all the basic things, CPR, choking, burns, bleeds, etc. They had a go on the mannequins and the choking vests and learnt those vital skills."
She said: "If we start instilling these skills in children right from infants school and they get that training regularly, by the time they grow up our next generation will be an army of first aiders that can help people." All of the children were also taught how to correctly call 999, and left with a workbook that they could go through with their parents to keep updated on the skills they learnt.
Julie Hemsley, Headteacher at Brooklands Primary School, said: “We are thrilled to have been offered this opportunity. The session was so carefully thought out, insightful and informative and it was great for the children to engage in an experience like this outside of their usual classroom activities.”
Brittany Skeels, Savlon Brand Manager, added: “As Savlon is considered a first aid kit essential, our partnership with Mini First Aid goes hand in hand. We are proud to have been able to play a part in providing the local children of Brooklands Primary School with these fantastic classes and it’s great to hear the children and teachers shared such a positive experience with the Little First Aider Academy.
“It was lovely to see the children’s confidence and skills building throughout the session and it has left them with a great sense of independence and reassurance that they know how to act in a first aid emergency.”
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