Local Assembly Member Paul Davies is voicing his support for the hard-hitting St John's Ambulance campaign, Helpless (#Helpless), which seeks to encourage more people to learn basic first aid skills. Sadly, up to 140,000 people in England and Wales die each year in situations where first aid could have helped save their lives. The film, which first aired last night during ITV1's Downton Abbey and will be repeated tonight during ITV News at Ten, follows the journey of a man who is diagnosed with cancer, undergoes treatment, and survives only to die as a result of choking at a family gathering because no one knows the basic first aid that could have saved his life.

Mr Davies said, "I'm pleased to support this incredibly important campaign, which looks to encourage people to learn basic first aid skills. These simple first aid techniques could save somebody's life and I would like to urge the people of Pembrokeshire to consider learning first aid."

Keith Dunn, Chief Executive of St John Wales, said: "These startling statistics show how important it is for everyone to learn simple first aid techniques. Fewer than one in five people in Wales know even the basic skills to save a life. We are passionate about equipping people with lifesaving knowledge and are determined to fulfil our vision to have a first aider in every street in Wales; this will ensure we are playing a vital role in preventing up to 140,000 people dying needlessly each year."