A nine-year-old girl quickly sprung into action to save her mum's life when she suddenly collapsed and fell unconscious at their home in Wigan, Manchester.
Schoolgirl Amelia Potts wasted no time and ran to dial 999 after mum Rebecca hit her head on the doorframe before falling to the ground.
The pair did not know at the time that Rebecca, from Leigh, had collapsed due to sepsis - a serious and often fatal condition.
Amelia quickly called emergency services and paramedics took Rebecca to hospital where it was later discovered the 28-year-old had sepsis.
The young mum spent two weeks in hospital before making a full recovery.
She told Manchester Evening News that she would not be alive if it wasn’t for Amelia’s help.
She said: “It was early in the morning and I was just going into Amelia’s room to wake her up,” she said.
“I remember feeling light-headed and then I collapsed. I banged my head on the doorframe and knocked myself out cold.
"Fortunately Amelia didn’t panic. She calmly rang 999 and explained to them what had happened.”
Amelia has since been hailed a hero - and nominated as one of East Lancashire Railway's 'Local Heroes' by her nan Dawn Garcia.
Mum Rebecca is thrilled that her daughter has been recognised for her bravery, adding: “I’m so pleased for Amelia that she is getting the recognition she deserves.
“There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for her actions.
“It was an emotional moment for Amelia when discovered that she had been made a Local Hero. She’s a really special girl and deserves it.”
According to the UK Sepsis Trust, five people die with sepsis every hour in the UK.
The disease, also known as blood poisoning, occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection or injury.
Normally, the immune system automatically fights infection – but in some cases, for reasons not yet known, it begins to attack our body’s own organs and tissues.
Timing is crucial when it comes to treating sepsis.
If not treated immediately, sepsis can lead to organ failure and death - yet with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Mike Kelly, Chairman at East Lancashire Railway, said: “Discovering such moving the and inspirational stories and achievements of our Local Heroes has been incredibly rewarding and humbling.
“Christmas is a time of giving and our unsung heroes exemplify the very best of unselfish community spirit in the north west and we’re delighted to celebrate and spoil them.
“For generations the ELR has been at the very heart of our local communities in Bury and we’re overwhelmed and overjoyed to be able to share part of their Christmas with our local heroes.”
