By Jill Stocks
Horsforth resident Fay Cartlidge is passionate about first aid and that passion and hard work has been recognised with a Heart of Horsforth Award.
As the owner of Daisy First Aid, which provides baby and child first aid courses across Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon, Fay was rewarded for “her hard work and in recognition of her outstanding dedication to supporting families and strengthening the local community”, winning in the Business Award category.
Fay said: “At Daisy First Aid we empower people with the skills and confidence to respond calmly and effectively to injuries and emergencies, whether at home or in the workplace
“I became a franchisee in August 2024, covering Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon – an area that means a great deal to me, as I’ve always lived in Horsforth. Being able to support the community I call home is incredibly important to me.
“From the outset, I’ve been passionate about making first aid training accessible to everyone. That’s why I began working in partnership with the local Children’s Centre to offer free and reduced-cost places for expectant parents, new parents and carers.
“We run engaging two-hour Baby & Child First Aid classes designed to give families practical, life-saving knowledge. Our sessions help people understand when to be concerned, when to seek medical help, and – crucially – what they can do in those vital moments while waiting for professional support to arrive.”
Fay was thrilled to receive the award, which was presented to her in December, particularly given her love of Horsforth. Only last week Fay delivered a First Aid course for the team at Horsforth Brewery.
“I was absolutely delighted to receive the Heart of Horsforth Award. There are so many incredible individuals and businesses in Horsforth who do wonderful things for our community, so to be recognised alongside them is a real honour.
“As someone who has always lived in Horsforth, it makes the award even more special. It feels incredibly meaningful to be acknowledged by the community I care so much about, and it’s a huge personal and professional achievement for me.”
Thanks to the efforts of Fay and her team, thousands of people have been given life-saving skills and confidence over the years.
“One moment that really stayed with me was during a visit to the local Children’s Centre, when I was told that a previous attendee had sadly needed to perform CPR on her own baby. Thanks to her quick actions and the skills she’d learned, her baby survived and is now receiving ongoing medical care. Hearing that was incredibly emotional – and a powerful reminder of why my work matters so much.
“There have been other occasions too. One attendee from a school setting had to carry out CPR for 18 minutes before emergency services arrived, and the casualty survived. Knowing that the training gave them the confidence and resilience to keep going in such a critical moment is really special.
“Alongside these life-saving stories, I regularly receive messages and reviews from parents and carers who say they feel calmer and far more confident after attending a class. Sometimes success isn’t only about the moments when first aid is used – it’s about preventing panic, reducing anxiety, and helping people feel prepared.
“When I had my first baby at the start of Covid, I remember just how anxious I felt about his health and wellbeing – as many first-time parents do. This is one of the main reasons why I started Daisy First Aid. If I can give another parent even a little more reassurance and peace of mind, that in itself feels like a huge success.”
To find out more about the courses Daisy First Aid offer visit their website or check out their facebook page for their most recent news.
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