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28 August 2019
www.champnews.com
Vol 26 l Issue 35
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
Amazing Grace, 5, summons ambulance after ‘Nana Gillian’ suffers collapsed lung in early hours A SKELMERSDALE grandmother believes her life may have been saved thanks to the quick thinking of her young granddaughter who had been staying at her home overnight. Gillian Maddocks, from Digmoor, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, feared the worst when she woke up in the early hours one morning in severe pain and unable to breathe. Eventually managing to drag herself out of bed, 57-year-old Gillian made her way to the living room calling out to five year-old Grace for help. She said: “Fortunately, she heard me, came into the room and quickly found my mobile phone and dialled 999 without me even having to ask her. “Then she was very good when talking to the emergency services. “She just said ‘nana can't breathe’. She then gave them my age and told them where I lived and did it all herself. “Luckily the ambulance came straight away. “The woman on the phone kept Grace talking asking her about my breathing. “It's amazing what she has done at her age and she really deserves a little award
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for knowing what to do. The medical staff said she was amazing for a fiveyear-old. “She knew just what to do and was very calm. Many children might have panicked in a situation like that but not Grace, she was brilliant.” During the incident Gillian, who also suffers from emphysema, had pains in the chest and was sweating badly. She added: “It’s lucky that Grace was here as I don’t think I would have survived without her - she has saved my life.” Following the attack Gillian spent almost a week in Southport Hospital where she was treated for a collapsed lung. A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service told the Champion: “It’s really important that children are taught at an early age of what to do in the event of an emergency by knowing what number to dial and their address. “We love to hear stories of when children have gone above and beyond and been little ‘superheroes’ in an emergency! “It sounds like Grace has done a fantastic job looking after her grandma when she was very poorly. “A big well-done to her and we’ll make sure that we send her a certificate in the post.”
My little lifesaver...Gillian pictured with ‘amazing’ Grace
Work pals’ peak effort for charity
New initiative to tackle off-road bikers menace LANCASHIRE Constabulary have launched a new initiative aimed at targeting the criminal and antisocial use of scrambler bikes in West Lancs. The force says that residents across the area, including both Skelmersdale and Ormskirk, have for a number of years suffered from illegal bikers recklessly riding on pavements, across public spaces and on roads, endangering pedestrians and motorists. The new initiative, named Operation Rhine, will see officers supported by neighbourhood police and the roads policing unit, in a bid to stamp out the menace. New tactics to tackle the issue include using a spray called SelectaDNA to tag riders, passengers and bikes with a unique but invisible dye. If suspects are arrested or bikes recovered, the spray can link offenders to criminal activities. Activity throughout the operation will also feature: l Increased patrols in areas, including parks and other public land. l Enforcement of traffic law on the highway to restrict the activities of illegal riders on our roads. l Use of locally gathered intelligence to execute warrants where storage locations are identified. l Visits to petrol stations by officers. l Partnership work with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, West Lancashire Borough Council and housing associations.
The West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership has provided the funding for the spray which will help support the police action in dealing with motorcycle nuisance. Partnership chair, Heidi McDougall, said: “The use of scrambler and off-road bikes across West Lancashire has blighted the community for a number of years. We share the frustrations of residents who see reckless behaviour from these illegal riders. Fresh approach “These individuals pose a danger to pedestrians and other road users, and the consequences of their illegal use can devastate families. “The partnership is very pleased to be able to give funding support to help this new campaign to crackdown on this activity and protect communities, ensuring parents and children can enjoy public spaces without fear of injury. “These new tactics and a fresh approach will hopefully make towns and villages across West Lancashire a safer place to live and allow local people to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about the bikes.” Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, added: “This is a real example of officers listening to residents’ concerns and taking steps to make their communities safer.”
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