A Roslea man is among two of Northern Ireland's newest young doctors who have developed an innovative scheme to teach life-saving skills to hundreds of local primary schoolchildren.

Michael Connolly from Roslea and Philip Toner from South Belfast were honoured for this achievement by Queen's University recently when they were selected as joint winners of the University's 'Student of the Year' Award.

Both are members of MedSIN (the Medical Students International Network), an independent, student organisation raising awareness of global health issues locally, and they created the ABC for Life scheme – the first of its type in the United Kingdom.

Developed with the support of their fellow medical students, ABC for Life aims to instruct primary school teachers in basic resuscitation procedures. The teachers in turn pass on the knowledge and expertise to children in their schools.

Already, more than half of all primary schools in Northern Ireland have enrolled in the scheme, and it is estimated that ABC for Life will result in up to 15 per cent of the Northern Ireland population gaining life-saving skills within 10 years.

In delivering the citation, Students' Union President Ben Preston said: "Northern Ireland has the highest incidence of heart disease in the world, with around 8,000 people suffering a heart attack each year, resulting in upwards of 3,000 deaths. Many of these attacks happen suddenly and without warning, and in a lot of cases the individual dies before medical help arrives. If immediate basic life support could be given to all of these victims, it is estimated that up to 1,800 lives could be saved each year," he continued.

"ABC will educate an entire generation of young people in Northern Ireland and will undoubtedly save lives, particularly in areas where expert advice isn't always close at hand."

The initiative is supported by many organisation, including the Cormac McAnallen Trust which was formed following the death of Tyrone GAA star Cormac McAnallen, who posthumously received the Queen's 'Graduate of the Year' Award in 2004. The campaign has also received the backing of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Department of Education, the Red Cross, and the Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association.

Mr Preston explained: "ABC for Life, which continues to be rolled out across Northern Ireland. It will undoubtedly make a major impact on the lives of those living in the province for many years to come and, for that we owe the winners of the 'Student of the Year' Award a huge debt of gratitude."

The 'Graduate of the Year' and 'Student of the Year' Awards were launched in 1999 by the Queen's Graduates Association and the University's Development and Alumni Relations Office, with the support of First Trust Bank.

The Awards aim to recognise excellence, achievement or service by Queen's alumni and students, either to the University or to the wider community.