Heroic life savers from UN win national award

Fiona MacLellan and Lynne York from the University of Northampton’s Library and Learning Services team were last night crowned winners at the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes awards ceremony, held in London.

St John Ambulance’s Everyday Heroes is a special awards programme celebrating the incredible stories of ordinary people who have used first aid to save a life. The awards are also a chance to recognise individuals and businesses that have championed the cause, helping to create more first aiders in our communities. Fiona and Lynne were crowned as winners in the Workplace Hero Award category.

The duo’s bravery, quick thinking and medical assistance helped colleague John Coles, a Porter within 1st Degree Facilities, when he suffered a heart attack outside of Avenue Campus. John was driving at the time and the vehicle ricocheted across the carriageway and collided with a tree.

After assessing the situation and deciding to carefully remove John from the vehicle, Lynne started chest compressions and Fiona administered rescue breaths until the ambulance arrived. John received several AED shocks on the way to hospital and eventually started breathing again.

Fiona said: “It was a surprise to be finalists in the Workplace Hero category and even more special to be the overall winners.  The evening was filled with amazing stories from all the finalists and many of the guest presenters and every finalist deserves to be called a hero.  For us, it was reward enough that John is doing well, but to be recognised by St John Ambulance on Wednesday was simply lovely.”

Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor of the University, commented: “I am delighted that Lynne and Fiona’s actions have been recognised by the Everyday Heroes scheme. We would all like to think we would act in the same way when faced with such an extreme situation, but the reality is very different – Lynne and Fiona’s bravery and quick thinking saved John’s life. As an institution we are very proud of them both.”

​For more information regarding the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes awards, visit their website.