GENEROUS schoolboy George Sutton has come up with a lifesaving way to spend £200 he won as part of an award– he’s sending 29 of his classmates on a first aid course.

George, 14, a pupil at Castle View School, Canvey, spent £200 he won in the Jack Petchey Awards for his community spirit and dedication, on the course.

The teenager, whose ambition is to become a paramedic, is investing the money in a St John Ambulance course for him and 29 other pupils.

He explained: “I wanted to help people and be able to save someone’s life. I didn’t tell anyone, as I wasn’t sure it would happen, so I called St John myself and just sorted it out.

“My friends were really happy as a lot of them didn’t know first aid and I’ve always wanted to learn. I learned some of the basics in primary school.”

His mum Karen, 40, of Furtherwick Road was surprised when the school rang to tell her George had not only planned the first aid day but also led an assembly about it for fellow Year 9 pupils.

Mrs Sutton said: “I’m very proud of him. It’s not what you expect 14-year-olds to do with £200.

“If the course can save someone’s life it could make all the difference.

“He’s a very caring boy. He always puts others before himself and he’s always been passionate about first aid.”

On the course, the pupils were taught the basics of first aid including the recovery position, how to deal with choking, CPR and asthma attacks.

St John regional training and community projects manager Paul Knighton led the session.

He said: “We were very impressed by the sheer publicspiritedness of George.

“There were all sorts of things he could have done with the money, but he decided to give something back to his peers.

“He and his friends gave me a good welcome and we had a great day. I think George deserves credit for giving back to society.

“We spend our time at St John Ambulance showing people how giving up some of their time can see them learning some lifesaving skills and George helped us do that.

“I’m sure in a year or two George will be making steps towards becoming a paramedic and he will be an asset to the community.”