Life Saver awards for Alister Pittman, Gary Butler, Nigel Medworth, Andrew Entwistle and Danny Richardson

Alister Pittman and Gary Butler from Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre and Nigel Medworth, Andrew Entwistle and Danny Richardson from Rochdale Leisure Centre are to receive Life Saver awards.

The award aims to recognise those who have made outstanding efforts to save the life of a person suffering a cardiac arrest.

Two incidents occurred earlier this year with members of the public collapsing from a heart attack. Staff on the scene quickly realised that the men concerned had suffered a full cardiac arrest and had stopped breathing. Using the defibrillator kits based at the Link4Life centres they were able to restart the heart and maintain mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until the ambulance service arrived.

Bob Williams, Chief Executive of North West Ambulance Service congratulating those concerned said of the award: “It recognises and commemorates the achievement of those who have dedicated their time to raising awareness of heart health, basic life support and defibrillators.”

Giving her congratulations to those involved, Link4Life Chief Executive Gillian Bishop said: “The quicker the heart is re-started the more likely it is that someone will go on to make a full recovery. The award recognises that the quick action of those involved has been instrumental in saving lives and we are immensely proud of their achievements.”

Adding his comments, Council Leader Colin Lambert said: “This demonstrates the importance of having defibrillator equipment available in our public buildings and the difference that this can make.

"I am delighted that those concerned have been acknowledged in this way.”

The presentation will take place at the Bolton Reebok Stadium at the beginning of December.