(Image: Help! First Aid Training)
A County Durham first aid training company is celebrating a double milestone after marking 17 years in business and receiving more than 1,000 five-star reviews from customers.
Help! First Aid Training, based in Shildon, was founded by director Craig Fantarrow in 2009, starting out from an office in his home and a single training room in the town.
Since then, the business has grown into one of the North East's established first aid training providers, working with businesses, schools, colleges, charities and organisations across the region.
Despite its expansion, the company has retained its roots in County Durham and now trains more than 2,500 people every year.
The firm employs a team of office staff and instructors, many of whom have backgrounds in the NHS, military, fire service and other emergency services.
Mr Fantarrow said the company's success had been built on the support of customers and the experience of its training team.
"We know that we wouldn't be where we are today without our incredible instructors and our loyal customers," he said.
"Our trainers bring a huge amount of real-life experience to our courses, and that makes a real difference. We want people to leave our training feeling confident and prepared to deal with an emergency, and having enjoyed training with us."
Help! First Aid Training director Craig Fantarrow (right) and trainer Richard Hall celebrate the Shildon-based company's 17th anniversary and more than 1,000 five-star Google reviews. (Image: Help! First Aid Training)
Over the years, the company has worked with organisations ranging from small local businesses and charities to universities, care providers, gyms, museums and veterinary practices.
Alongside its anniversary celebrations, the firm has also passed a significant milestone online, receiving its 1,000th five-star review on Google.
Mr Fantarrow described the achievement as a reflection of the positive experiences customers have had with the business.
He said: "I'm incredibly proud of everything we have achieved over the last 17 years.
"I have a fantastic team around me who put their passion and enthusiasm into everything they do.
"I'm very proud that so many of our customers have taken the time to leave us such positive feedback.
"Reaching more than 1,000 five-star reviews is a huge milestone for us."
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"Every single review represents someone who has spent time with our team, and it's a great honour to know that they felt their experience was worthy of five stars," he added.
He added: "We'd simply like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported us, trained with us and taken the time to leave a review over the years."
The business says it is focused on continuing to provide first aid training across the North East while building on the growth it has achieved since its beginnings in Shildon nearly two decades ago.