Fife family’s bid to create Pauline’s Law goes to Scottish Parliament

They want to introduce Pauline’s Law in honour of their mum who took unwell during a visit to a garden centre, and died, despite the best efforts of first aiders and members of the public.

Pauline Sweeney was just 64 when she passed away in March 2025, and now her daughter, Suzzi Young, is leading the campaign to ensure all pupils gain the first aid skills that could save someone’s life.

Pauline, from Glenrothes, was on a day out with her husband, renowned stonemason George, and her son when tragedy struck. The family say she had the best possible care from those who came to help, administering CPR, using a defibrillator and continuing to help alongside the ambulance crews who gave her the best possible chance to survive.

Sadly she passed away, and Suzzi found herself circling back to one question - what if the people around her mum hadn't known what to do?

Her campaign for Pauline’s Law reached the Scottish Parliament this month with Fife MSP, David Barrett tabling a motion in support, which has since been signed by a number of politicians.

The family want to see vital first aid skills taught to every pupil. Currently some schools do, but others don’t - Pauline’s Law could help to change that.

MSPs have six weeks to sign Mr Barratt’s motion, but Suzzi also wants people to add their names in support to ensure the issue can be discussed further.

“Our ultimate goal is to get this turned into law,” she said. “There are many first aid lessons in schools, but they aren’t consistent. Some pupils don’t get the same opportunity - one family friend is a teacher at a school which offers lessons, but her own kids go to another which doesn’t.

“And since eight out of ten cardiac arrests happen at home, should that situation arise you may have someone with first aid knowledge to help, but you may not.” Suzzi believes if youngsters are taught essentials skills such as CPR, how to use a defibrillator and deal with severe bleeding then they will be equipped to help should an emergency arise anywhere, anytime.

“The quicker someone gets help, the better their chances of survival become,” she said. “It has to be immediate. I know some people are unsure what to do - but in such a serious situation they cannot make it worse.

“When my mum took ill, so many people came forward to help. They couldn’t have done any more for her - the care they gave was exceptional. She had the right people in the right place at the right time with the right skills to do all they could for her.

“But it can’t just be down to luck if someone is there with those skills - we want to give everyone the qualifications to help.” Suzzi believes teaching people such skills at a young age will equip them for life, and she has been delighted at the level of support her family’s campaign has enjoyed. They have almost 1000 people on a Facebook page which raises awareness of the campaign and emergency first aid.

“We are doing this to help other people and give them the same chance my mum had,” she said. “It is bitter sweet because we lost our mum, but something positive can come from this.”

> You can support the campaign for Pauline’s Law by contacting your MSP to back motion S7M-01124

> For more information, visit Pauline’s Law at www.facebook.com/paulineslawuk