ST John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation and the British Red Cross have joined forces on a campaign to make first aid compulsory in all state-funded secondary schools.

The trio of good causes believes that if all children had simple first aid skills needless deaths could be avoided.

And the partnership believes this Friday (November 20) - when the emergency first aid education bill has its second reading in Parliament - will be the "best chance" of making the idea a reality.

Members of the public are being urged to visit everychildalifesaver.org/action to call on their MP to vote in support of first aid in schools.

Sue Killen, chief executive of St John Ambulance, said: "Nothing is more important to us than young people learning the skills to save a life. We urge everyone to go to visit the website so MPs see that this campaign has backing in every community.

"Without your support, we can't make this happen. But with your support we could achieve something brilliant - every child a lifesaver.’

Mike Adamson, chief executive at the British Red Cross, added: "We have a one-off chance to equip a new generation of first aiders with the skills they need to make difference. Mums, dads, teachers and the public can play a vital part in this by urging their local MPs to support this vote and help us to provide young people with a life-saving legacy."

Simon Gillespie, chief executive at the British Heart Foundation, said: "The survival rate for out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK is shockingly low compared to other countries where CPR is widely taught.

"Our MPs and the government now have the opportunity to take responsibility for addressing this needless loss of life. By supporting this bill they can make life saving skills a mandatory part of every young person’s education and help save more lives."