Stewarton mum to teach parents first aid

Dec 30 2011 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

LOOKING after her children has inspired busy mum Lauren Coxon to start a new business.

It was after one near miss with her oldest girl Evie, who is nearly three, Lorna decided to learn basic first aid.

And from there the seed of a business idea began to grow.

After acquiring the necessary skills, Lauren and Geoff, a university lecturer, now want to pass on those life-saving skills to other parents in a new venture called ‘Bumps N Bruises’.

Said Lauren, who is also mum to one-year-old Iona: “I found Evie in her cot one day and she had been violently sick everywhere. She was absolutely fine, but it made me wonder what would I have done if she had been choking. I thought about running to my neighbour, who is a fireman, for help, but then I began to think I’d rather be able to help my own child myself.

“It was then and there I decided to learn first aid and I became convinced that helping other parents would be a great thing to do, as well as a fine business idea.

“I think most parents would rather have the skills to be able to help their child in a crisis, rather than be able to do nothing and have to wait on help.”

The Coxons, who live in Stewarton, have held pilot classes in the town already and will start classes proper in February at the town’s Standalane Centre.

Lorna, who also works in human resources for a bank, said: “We have just started the business and it is very early days. We have notices up and already have a bit of interest.

“We will teach lots of different skills, including CPR and what to do if your child chokes. We have the child mannequins for the parents to try out their skills.

“I am passionate about fire aid for parents now and we hope parents in Stewarton will also embrace the idea as much as we have.

“If the classes are popular we would look at expanding elsewhere. We are already in talks with the children’s nursery, Beechwood in Kilmarnock, about the possibility of having a class there.”