A young Essex boy has been honoured for his remarkable composure during a frightening medical emergency at home.
Ryan Reader, 10, was presented with a bravery award from the East of England Ambulance Service after he rang 999 when his mum Kat became seriously unwell.
The Billericay pupil kept his cool and got help on the way when it mattered most.
The recognition came during a special ceremony at his school, South Green Junior School, as term wrapped up for the holidays.
The incident occurred on November 2 at the family’s Galleywood home when Kat woke up feeling extremely poorly.
Ryan’s stepfather, Stuart Wilkinson, who works as a paramedic at Chelmsford Ambulance Station, had already headed off to his shift.
That left the youngster to handle everything by himself, with no one to guide him through what must have been a terrifying situation.
Without hesitation, Ryan picked up the phone and dialled 999, asking for an ambulance.
Ryan Reader was presented with a bravery award from the East of England Ambulance Service after he rang 999 when his mum Kat became seriously unwell
|
NHS
He spoke to call handler Sean Austin at the Chelmsford Emergency Operations Centre, calmly confirming their address, explaining his mum’s symptoms, and answering every question with clarity.
Kat later said Ryan’s swift response could have stopped her condition from deteriorating badly.
The proud mum couldn’t contain her joy when EEAST Chief Executive Neill Moloney handed Ryan his award in front of all his classmates and teachers.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Ryan. The way he stayed calm under pressure when I fell ill shows remarkable maturity, clarity and confidence,” she said.
Kat also shared how the moment highlighted a wonderful change in her son following his recent ADHD diagnosis.
“He has struggled over the years to understand himself, but since receiving his ADHD diagnosis, he has begun to better understand his emotions, behaviour, and strengths,” she added.
Mr Moloney spoke about why it’s so important to celebrate young people who step up in emergencies.
“We are delighted to present Ryan with this well-deserved bravery award. Recognising child callers is so important not only to celebrate their courage but also to show their peers the value of knowing what to do in an emergency,” he said.
“It’s clear that without Ryan’s intervention, things could have been very different for Kat and she is rightly a very proud Mum.”
Sean Austin, who took Ryan’s call, was equally impressed.
“Ryan was brave, courageous and confident throughout,” he said. “In between all of this, Ryan was able to look after and comfort mum at the same time. Ryan should be more than proud of his actions on this day.”