PUPILS and staff at Ardgowan Primary threw themselves into the most important lesson of the year - how to save a life.

The Inverclyde Heartstart team recently made their first visit to the school since a defibrillator was gifted to it by the family of a former pupil.

Joshua Turner, who moved to America to become a sports coach, sadly passed away aged only 25 due to an undetected heart condition.

His grandparents Thomas and Sheila Turner raised money to buy his old school a lifesaving device in his memory, inspired by the Show Some Heart appeal launched by the parents of the late Jayden Orr.

Kathleen and John Orr launched the campaign after the tragic death of their 10-year-old son and aim to provide a defib for every school in Inverclyde.

Heartstart duo Glen Miller and Linda McDowell went to Ardgowan to run an afterschool training session for primary six and seven pupils, followed by training for teachers and staff.

They were show CPR, how to help an unconscious patient and learned of the dangers of choking and serious bleeding, as well as how to use the defibrillator.

Project co-ordinator Glen said: "It the first training session since the Turner family donated the defibrillator to the school.

"It's very important that everyone knows how to use it.

"It is simple to use and offering this training will help to dispel any myths about it.

"I can understand that in an emergency situation people may panic but if people are properly trained, they will know how to use it."

Glen says the Tele-backed Jayden Orr campaign has helped to raise lots of awareness in the community.

He said: "Kathleen Orr has helped to highlight the issues and there is now more availability."

The depute head at Ardgowan, Greg McGowan, said the training was a very valuable exercise.

He said: "Out head teacher Emma Picken met with the Turner family before Christmas and we were keen to get proper training for pupils and staff.

"We had 20 members of staff and 100 pupils, so we have a good broad base of trained people across the school who are now experienced and know what to do in that situation.

"Any donation like this is invaluable to the school and we are so grateful to the Turner family."