A WOMAN has been reunited with a group of people who helped save her life earlier this year - and said she will be 'forever grateful' for their actions.
Valerie West, 74, of Whitehaven, suffered a cardiac arrest in March this year while walking along Catherine Street in the town.
Thankfully she survived the incident thanks to the help of passers-by and emergency medics.
Ms West said: "I have no memory of what happened, but I know four people stopped and helped me: a retired nurse, her friend, a local artist, and an off-duty paramedic.
"They started to give me CPR. Fortunately, the ambulance was also only a few minutes away.
"Without their fast action, I would not be here today.
"They all helped save my life, and I’ll be forever grateful."
Valerie and her family were invited to North West Ambulance Service’s (NWAS) Cumbrian Office in Carlisle to meet paramedics Abi, Andrew, and Claire. The retired nurse, Ann, her friend Glenda, and the off-duty paramedic, Bart, were also there.
Matt Cooper, NWAS area director for Cumbria and Lancashire, said: "It was such a pleasure to meet Valerie and her family.
"It is not often that staff can find out what happens to patients after we take them to the hospital, so for them to see her again in much more positive circumstances is a real joy.
"As this incident shows, the importance of learning CPR and basic life-saving skills is crucial.
"The speed at which the people walking past were able to recognise what had happened to Valerie and start chest compressions undoubtedly played a role in her survival, as did the expert work of the ambulance service and medics at the hospital.
"I want to highlight the important role those behind the scenes also play, including our call handlers, control room teams, and all our support services.
"They all help with the speed of our response and instruct those on the scene how to give CPR to the patient before help arrives."
Valerie also made a donation to the North West Ambulance Charity.
Ian Savage, head of North West Ambulance Charity, added: "We’re incredibly grateful to Valerie for the support she has shown to the charity, which will make a positive difference to patients and emergency services staff."
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