Hollyoaks and Coronation Street star Nikki Sanderson reveals how CPR saved her mum's life

Hollyoaks and Coronation Street star Nikki Sanderson has shared how CPR saved her mum's life, as she joins St John Ambulance's CPR Bra campaign. The actor is one of eight celebrities supporting the campaign ahead of Restart a Heart Day (16 October).

New research by St John Ambulance found that women are less likely to receive CPR in public than men, despite cardiac arrest requiring an immediate response regardless of gender.

It was revealed that one in five men (20%) would hesitate to perform CPR on a woman in public due to concerns about being filmed and posted on social media.

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The biggest reason for hesitation is fears about being accused of inappropriate touching, with almost a third of men (31%) admitting this as their main concern. This comes ahead of concerns about hurting them (28%) or making the situation worse (24%).

Speaking about her personal connection to the issue, Sanderson shared a frightening experience with her mum who suffered a cardiac arrest a few years ago.

"In 2021, my mum had a cardiac arrest, and we had to perform CPR until paramedics arrived. If we'd hesitated, she wouldn't be here today," the soap star recalled.

"It's horrifying that so many people say they are less likely to help a woman in public, especially because they're afraid of people filming and sharing it online. That woman could be someone's mum, sister or daughter."

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She added: "We need to remove these barriers and 'bust the taboo', because everyone deserves the same chance of survival.”

Joining Sanderson in the campaign is TV and radio host Gaby Roslin, activist Sharon Gaffka, former Lioness and Chelsea FC captain Millie Bright OBE and England Rugby World Cup winner Rosie Galligan.

Team GB Paralympic Gold Medallist Frankie Allen MBE, actor Gaynor Faye, Dr Dawn Harper and other famous faces are also lending their support.

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In addition to this, St John Ambulance created a CPR Bra in 2024, to tackle fears around touching breasts when giving CPR. The bra features visual prompts on how to carry out chest compressions, and has "It's OK to save my life" written on the front.

Previous St John Ambulance research revealed almost seven in ten surveyed men (69%) would feel more confident performing CPR on a woman in public if they received more training and support. Meanwhile six in ten (59%) said they were more likely to give CPR having seen or been made aware of the CPR Bra campaign.

The CPR sports bra is available exclusively through boobydoo from £35, with 50% of proceeds supporting St John Ambulance's lifesaving work.

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release. Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

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