Skip to main content
British Red Cross homepage

Act of courage

Think about what qualities motivate us to help others and consider the importance of personal safety while helping. 

A photo taken from inside a car as a British Red Cross emergency response volunteer drives across a wintery landscape.

Age:

11 - 16

Subjects:

PSHE, Tutor time

Topics:

Newsthink, Disaster and emergencies

Type:

Lesson plan

On 26 May 2018, Malian immigrant Mamoudou Gassama made headlines after his dramatic climb up a building to rescue a young child hanging from a balcony. He has been praised for his bravery, as he focused on trying to save the boy before he fell.

This activity looks at what motivates people to help, the qualities of a helper and other ways of helping while keeping yourself safe.


Resource overview

1. Starter activity: Balcony rescue

Review the dramatic event and watch the video.

2. Discussion: Thinking instinctively

Learners consider what it means to think instinctively, what led Mamoudou to help, what the risks were and alternative, safer ways of helping.

Help us support teachers to educate the next generation

Our free teaching resources and workshops help young people learn vital first aid, wellbeing, and humanitarian skills. With your donation, we can continue creating high‑quality materials that teachers rely on every day.

Donate to support community education

Do you have a question about this page or want to give us feedback? Visit our Contact Us page.