Bravery award for Roker boys
Two young boys who ran for help after their mum suffered an epileptic fit at home in Roker have been rewarded for their bravery by North East Ambulance Service.
Jack Burnell Brewis, aged 7, and his four-year-old brother Jamie were getting ready for school on 20 October when their mum suffered an epileptic fit and fell to the floor.
After finding her fitting, Jack took his brother’s hand, found the keys for the house and the pair ran outside for help.
A neighbour rang 999 and looked after the boys until help arrived.
Paramedic Simon Newby was first on the scene in his rapid response car, followed by David Stewart and Gary Spraggon in an ambulance.
Simon, aged 48, of Tunstall, was so impressed by the boys’ bravery that he put them forward for a bravery award, which he hand delivered to the boys on behalf of the ambulance service on Thursday, 19 September.
“They were both really brave,” said Simon, who has been a paramedic with NEAS for 20 years.
“For most kids to see their mum fitting on the floor is traumatic. This has happened a few times for them now but I was really impressed with the way they dealt with it.”
Gabrielle says she couldn’t be prouder of her boys.
“I’ve only recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and have had a few fits now – the boys have been fantastic,” she said.
“I’m so proud of them. The first time it happened they hadn’t even seen a seizure so for Jack to think on his toes like he does, and to make sure he doesn’t leave his brother behind, is amazing.
“The only thing I remember about this one is being in my bedroom and waking up all panicky wondering why loads of people were in my house. Simon was brilliant, I can’t thank him enough for recognising them both in this way.
“I’d also like to thank my lovely neighbours who came to help me. One of them even made their own bravery certificates for the boys which was really kind of them.”
Notes to editors
Notes to editors:
Picture caption - Simon Newby is pictured with Jack and Jamie Burnell-Brewis at their home in Roker.
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) covers 3,200 square miles across the North East region. It employs more than 2,500 staff and serves a population of 2.7 million people by handling all NHS 111 and 999 calls for the region, operating patient transport and ambulance response services, delivering training for communities and commercial audiences and providing medical support cover at events.
In 2014/15 the service answered 1.107 million emergency 999 and NHS 111 calls, responded to 302,687 incidents that resulted in a patient being taken to hospital, treated and discharged 18,144 patients with telephone advice and treated and discharged 81,990 patients at home. In the same year, emergency care crews reached 134,745 incidents within the national target of 8 minutes.