THE drive to train more people in Evesham in life saving first aid thanks to a legacy left by a Bretforton market gardener is continuing as it hosts another free course in the town next month.

The St John Ambulance essential first aid course for people aged over 12 will be held at the Wallace Community Centre in Oat Street on Thursday, July 17, at 10am.

The training is being funded by Arthur Smith, who left St John Ambulance money to support the community when he died in 2011.

So far, the charity has trained more than 150 people in the Evesham area with first aid skills through free courses.

Further free courses will be held in October and November.

St John Ambulance is also training local schoolchildren for free and can organise free sessions for community groups such as voluntary organisations and mother and toddler groups.

Nick Pitt, acting community training co-ordinator for St John Ambulance in the West Midlands, said: "St John Ambulance believes no-one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it.

"Thanks to Mr Smith’s legacy, we have already been able to train 156 people in the skills they need to be the difference between a life lost and life saved.

"These are people who live, work, play sport and socialise in the Evesham area and could be called upon to use their skills at any time."

To book a place on a free course or to ask about free training to community groups, contact 0121 237 3873 or email west-mids-training@sja.org.uk.