A 13-year-old school girl has received a prestigious Laverick Award for her bravery and courage earlier this year.
Julijia Matikane, 13, from Boston, Lincolnshire, was presented with her Laverick Award at St Giles Academy for bravely calling 999 on 23 September when her grandmother fell down the stairs and became unconscious.
Having called 999, Julijia followed 999 call taker Rebecca Mount’s instructions to open her grandmother’s airway to allow her to breathe. It was not clear whether Julijia’s grandmother was breathing so Julijia started Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to save her life.
Paramedic Daron Horne quickly arrived on scene and confirmed that Julijia’s grandmother was not in cardiac arrest but that she needed emergency treatment and transporting to a major trauma centre.
Ambulance crew Paramedic Ben Shepherd and Emergency Care Assistant Andrew Passenger arrived to transport Julijia’s grandma to hospital. Throughout her grandma’s treatment, Julijia assisted our crew with translation between them and her family and ensured that they had all her grandmother’s medical history.
Paramedic Ben was so impressed with Julijia’s actions he nominated her to receive a Laverick Award.
Ben said: “Julijia made the 999 call for help in what was undoubtedly a traumatic and difficult situation, and she followed the 999 call takers instructions before Daron arrived in the ambulance car. She continued to assist Daron in a calm and mature manner until myself and Andrew could arrive. She was the first responder that night and made a huge difference.”
Ben and Andrew attended St Giles Academy to present Julijia with her award in her year assembly on Wednesday, 28 November.
Ben said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to recognise the courage that Julijia demonstrated. In our opinion Julijia demonstrated each of the qualities of the Laverick Award and is very deserving.”
Julijia’s grandmother has now been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home. #EMAZING #PrideinEMAS