About lakes first aid

Who are we?

Lakes First Aid is small first aid training business owned by Ross & Sue Wallace that has been operating since 2009.  We offer first aid courses to individuals, groups & businesses in Cumbria, the North West and across the UK. We employ two full-time trainers and pride ourselves in having a large professional network of associate trainers with many years of experience in training.


Ross (Partner & centre manager)

Ross has over 30 years in the outdoor sector and training industry from staff training team & leadership development,. Whilst working in outdoor adventure Ross has had numerous hands-on roles within rescue & emergency care including Surf Lifeguarding, Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician and as an active member of Mountain Rescue in Snowdonia.

Ross now lives & works in the Lake District spending his time running Lakes First Aid with Sue as well as teaching outdoor activities. Ross ran his own outdoor activity business for 10 years and prior to that he held the post of National Training Manager for Outward Bound (UK  and has taught as an associate lecturer at the University of Cumbria.

Not content with running two businesses Ross also works as an associate trainer for a handful of key training organisations, is a trustee for Active Aid (our professional trainer network) and leads an active Scout Troop in the local area.

Ross’s goal is to help people become better world citizens whether learning a first aid skill, developing personal confidence or realising their potential through outdoor activities.


Sue (Partner & Operations manager)

Sue is the unsung hero of Lakes First Aid managing the operations, bookings, logistics and marketing for the business whilst trying to keep the team in check. She is also a full time mum managing daily family logistics & operations (girl power!).

Sue has exceptional knowledge and understanding of the business and brings over 25 years experience of working in the health sector with children and adults as an Occupational Therapist. Sue also ran a private occupational business which provided dedicated services to children as part of a three-person Paediatric Occupational Therapy team.


Luke (Lead trainer)

Luke is a full-time member of our training team and is invaluable to the success of our business delivering hundreds of courses with great humour and professionalism. Working with Luke often feels more like a being with a family member than a work colleague!

His first aid training career started in the wind turbine industry teaching technicians not to fall off and what to do if they ever did! He has taught for over 15 years within the field of outdoor adventure and over 8 years in first aid training.

Luke is enthusiastic about all aspects of the outdoors and particularly passionate about bushcraft, canoeing & mountaineering having recently completed his (aspirant) Mountain Instructor Training course. He is an active member of Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit and a deputy team leader for Penrith Mountain Rescue Team.


ABOUT our associates

All our associate trainers hold a wealth of knowledge and skills from their varied and diverse backgrounds in Training, Paramedic, Health or Mountain Rescue settings. You can expect our trainers to be prompt, have excellent communication skills and deliver high quality practical courses. All trainers are members of our professional trainer network Active Aid and maintain current knowledge in the field of rescue & emergency care.