Student-led learning, immersive technology and the power of lived experience came together as Poppy’s Light Foundation joined Sunderland College for an inspiring Restart a Heart event.
160 students. One shared purpose. The knowledge and confidence to help save a life.
Poppy’s Light Foundation was delighted to collaborate with Sunderland College for Restart a Heart, bringing together practical CPR education, innovative technology and awareness of inherited cardiac conditions (ICCs).
The event was a wonderful example of young people embracing opportunities to learn, share knowledge and develop skills that could one day make a lifesaving difference.
Young People Teaching Young People
A highlight of the day was watching the remarkable short films created by Sunderland College students using the college’s state-of-the-art Igloo immersive technology.
Through imaginative storytelling, students demonstrated how unexpectedly a cardiac arrest can happen, over coffee with friends, on a night out or even during a dance class.
Everyday moments became powerful learning experiences, bringing home the importance of recognising a cardiac emergency and knowing how to respond.
Equally inspiring was seeing students at different stages of their learning teaching and supporting one another. From demonstrating CPR techniques to encouraging their peers, the enthusiasm, confidence and shared responsibility were wonderful to see.
Young people learning from young people, developing skills that could one day save a life.
When Lived Experience Brings Learning Home
Poppy’s Light was honoured to contribute as a guest speaker, sharing Poppy’s story and the importance of recognising potential cardiac warning signs before an emergency occurs.
Following the event, Sunderland College reflected on the impact of bringing lived experience into the classroom. As Poppy’s story was shared, the room fell so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Behind every cardiac emergency is a person, a family and a life that matters.
Poppy was just 20 years old when she died from previously undiagnosed catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), an inherited cardiac condition associated with potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.
Before her death, Poppy had experienced fainting associated with exercise and had received a normal resting ECG.
Her story reinforces an important message at the heart of our education work:
A normal test shouldn’t erase an abnormal story.
The students were learning how to respond when a heart stops. Poppy’s story encouraged them to recognise the warning signs that might come before it.
Five Messages for Young Cardiac Health
Alongside the practical CPR education, Poppy’s Light shared five important messages:
- Stay hydrated, particularly during physical activity, but never automatically attribute unexplained exercise-related fainting to dehydration.
- Avoid high-caffeine energy drinks, which can cause palpitations and are not recommended for children and young people.
- Know your family heart health history. Sudden unexplained cardiac death, cardiac arrest or certain heart conditions in a relative, particularly under 50, may warrant further discussion with a healthcare professional.
- Recognise fainting during exercise as a cardiac red flag requiring prompt medical assessment.
- Understand that a normal resting ECG cannot exclude every inherited cardiac condition. Some arrhythmias, including CPVT, may require specialist investigations such as supervised exercise testing where clinically appropriate.
These messages are not about creating fear. They are about helping young people recognise when something deserves further attention and understand the importance of accessing appropriate medical advice.
Education That Makes a Difference
Restart a Heart teaches young people how to respond when somebody experiences a cardiac arrest.
Poppy’s Light complements this vital education by promoting earlier recognition of inherited cardiac conditions, appropriate referral pathways and timely access to specialist expertise.
Together, these approaches reflect our three pillars:
Identify | Support | Live
Our heartfelt thanks to Sunderland College, its dedicated staff and all 160 students for their creativity, enthusiasm and commitment to lifesaving education.
From immersive filmmaking to practical CPR and peer-to-peer teaching, the event demonstrated the extraordinary potential of education to protect young lives.
Because lifesaving education is not simply about what we know. It is about having the confidence to act when it matters.
For Poppy, and for long lives, lived well. 