Newbury Weekly News - May 11th 2017

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

National honour for holiday hero

Firefighter whosaved child’s lifeawarded RollofHonour

Report by CHRISORD email chris.ord@newbur ynews.co.uk twitter @chriso_nwn

A NATIONAL water safety charity has awarded a Newbury firefighter its highest accolade after he saved the life of a two-year-old girl while on a family holiday earlier this year. Oliver Parker was awarded the Roll of Honour by the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), a charity dedicated to the teaching of swimming and water safety. As reported in the Newb ury Weekly News, Mr Parker, 33, was on holiday in Dubai with his preg- nant wife and two young daugh- ters when he spotted a two-year- old girl named Erin unconscious in the pool. Thanks to Mr Parker’s quick thinking and actions he began CPR and after three minutes Erin’s eyes opened and she took a deep breath. The young girl from Finland made a full recovery and spent the last few days of her holiday play- ing as if nothing had happened. Mr Parker said: “At the time, in that split second it was like every- one around the pool froze in time, in shock. “I’m not sure if it was my fire service training or the fact of being a dad that mademe react so quickly, but it did bring home to

Alec Jenkins, whohasmotor neurone disease, centrewithbrother Paulbehind, joinotherguests attheevent

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Inspirational MND 30th anniversary THE West Berkshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association celebrated 30 years of the charity’s work at an event on Saturday, April 29.

Swimming Teachers’ Association president Richard Timmspresents Oliver ParkerwithhisRollofHonour certificate

me that ‘knowing’ what to do in an emergency and ‘actually’ doing it are two totally different things.” He added: “I was amazed by how quickly a person can react to CPR and the immediate positive effects. “It will be a day I will never forget, and I was so pleased to see Erin when she returned from hospital playing as normal.” Mr Parker also revealed that his actions have inspired friends and family to seek out first aid training and learn CPR. Mr Parker said: “I’ve been really surprised with the response to this story and I’m very proud to be recognised by STA with a Roll of Honour. “If by sharing this story, which

can truly happen to anyone, and showing the importance of CPR training and the immediate posi- tive effects it can have on saving of a life, then great, there have been two positive outcomes.” It is only the eighth time in 17 years that the Roll of Honour has been awarded by STA. STA president Richard Timms presented the award on Saturday, and said: “Faced with a terrify- ing, split-second situation like this, especially with a child, panic can set in for even the bravest. “But thankfully Oliver didn’t panic, and his quick thinking and actions that day saved this young girl’s life.” “Oliver is fully-deserving of this honour.”

The evening, attended by 100 supporters and invited guests, started with a service of music and readings in St Mark’s Church, Englefield, conducted by the Reverend Derek Spears from Aldermaston, followed by an event at Englefield House, home of the branch’s patron, Newbury’s Conservative Parlia- mentary candidate Richard Benyon. Speakers included BBC TV and radio presenter Nicholas Owen, who shared his personal story of a close friend who died of MND in 2015, and Newbury’s Alec Jenkins, who is being robbed of his voice by the disease and agreed for his speech to be read by his brother Paul. Invited guests included Berk- shire’s new High Sheriff Mrs Sarah Scrope, Deputy Lord Lieu- tenant Professor Suzanna Rose, Dr Clare Galtrey, consultant neurologist at Frimley Park Harmsworth, Phil Saich and Sheila Weaving have potentially saved more than 900 lives. The NHS Blood and Trans- plant awards ceremony at the Coppid Beach Hotel, Bracknell, honoured them and 28 other blood donors from Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Sheila Weaving, 68, from Thatcham, who is retired, has been giving blood for approxi- mately 49 years after being encouraged by her work colleagues. She said: “Giving blood only takes a little of my time but helps others and can perhaps save their life.” Mike Harmsworth, 67, retired, from Thatcham, has been giving blood for approximately 48 years after a work colleague suggested he give it a try. Mr Harmsworth said; “My wife and mother and several other members of my family have all needed blood transfu- sions after major operations. “Blood can be used in so many ways to help save someone’s life at no cost or danger to me.” Phil Saich, 59, a wood yard worker from Newbury has been

Council chairman Quentin Webb

NicholasOwenspeaks

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Hospital, and West Berkshire Council chairman Quentin Webb. Mrs Scrope said: “I was fasci- nated and moved again by the speeches.” All guests were asked to bring a jam jar of spring flowers to place in the church. Jane Gilbert, of the MND Asso- ciation, said: “It was a very simple idea but effective.” Prof Rose said: “It really was an inspirational event. “I too was heartened by opti- mistic views around research progress.”

Association research director Dr Brian Dickie said: “We may not see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but the train is head- ing in the right direction and it’s picking up speed.” Branch chairwoman Margaret Moss said: “To continue our successful work we need more volunteers for the next leg of the journey.” MND can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. It kills six people per day in the UK, just under 2,200 per year. At present there is no cure.

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Meet three real life life-savers TWO blood donors from Thatcham and one from Newbury have been honoured for their life-saving efforts with commemorative medals. With 301 blood donations between them, Mike

Before

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From left,MikeHarmsworth, SheilaWeaving andPhilSaich

giving blood for more than 40 years. He said ; “I started giving blood as I was a keen motorcyclist and wanted to make sure blood was available if I ever needed it. “Some of my family members have needed blood; we just never know when we or someone we know may need it.” The senior marketing coordi- nator at NHS Blood and Trans- plant, Karen Healy, said; “These loyal donors are very special to us, which is why such an event gives us the opportunity to say a real heartfelt thanks. “Between them, they have

saved hundreds of lives and improved the lives of countless others who have required blood transfusions. “These donors are an inspira- tion to us all.” Each blood donation can potentially save three lives, so if a donor has given blood 100 times they have potentially helped save the lives of 300 people. Out of the three per cent of the population who give blood, only one per cent reach 100 dona- tions. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 1232323 or visit www.blood.co.uk

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