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A dedicated volunteer has been presented with a prestigious award for saving a schoolgirl’s life.
Steve Hockley, of Triton Way, Benfleet, was presented with a national lifesaver defibrillator award from Sads UK, a group raising awareness about heart conditions in the young.
Steve, a father-of-six, was praised for his swift response when Tabatha McElligott, then aged 17, suffered a heart attack and collapsed at Westcliff High School for Girls, in July 2009. He was called to help because he is a serving community first responder, a trained volunteer who looks after patients until paramedics arrive. He said: “It was just a normal day to me, but it is great to be congratulated like this. I’m really pleased.”
Mr Hockley, 47, became a community first responder in 2004 after seeing an advert in the Echo.
He is now on call every day attending as many as 60 incidents per month, as well as co-ordinating two training sessions a week for new recruits..
Ann Jolly, from Sads UK, said: “We were really pleased to honour Steve at this high profile event, for saving the life of Tabatha McElligott.”
The awards ceremony took place at the Royal College of Pathologists in London and Steve was presented with his award by Dr Andrew Lockey, emergency physician and honorary secretary of the Resuscitation Council. Steve was nominated by staff at the East of England Ambulance Service, who were impressed by the time and effort he puts into his voluntary work.
A spokeswoman said: “He is the most down-to-earth gentleman, with a heart of gold, which is why I felt Steve deserved this award.”
Since the incident, Tabatha, of Dundonald Drive, Leigh, has trained to become a first responder herself.
Anyone who would like to nominate a lifesaving hero should contact Sads UK on 01277 811215.
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