In a heartwarming tale of courage and determination, a family has gone on to save three lives in just four years after being deeply affected by a tragedy. Mel Sharp, 40, and her partner Stuart Fairclough, 46, sprang into action when they witnessed a devastating incident at their family business five years ago. Since then, their passion for helping others has extended to three generations, with their 14-year-old daughter Leah now demonstrating CPR to schoolchildren, and even Mel’s 65-year-old mother Catherine saving a life.
The journey began when a close friend and colleague of Mel and Stuart unexpectedly collapsed at a holiday village where they all worked in 2016. Stuart immediately started performing CPR, but had to pass the torch to their son Steven, who was 15 at the time, so that he could raise the alarm and call for an ambulance. Tragically, their friend did not survive. This heartbreaking event served as a wake-up call for Mel, pushing her to start raising funds for a defibrillator at the caravan park. Thanks to the generosity of the static owners and local community, they were able to install a defibrillator on the wall of the clubhouse building with the help of the charity Lucky 2 B Here.
Shortly after the defibrillator was installed in 2017, Mel found herself using it for the first time at Burrowhead Holiday Village in Dumfries and Galloway. Stuart’s ex-mother-in-law, Jan Lowther, collapsed just a few meters away from the defibrillator. Luckily, Mel was nearby and immediately began performing CPR. With the defibrillator and Mel’s quick actions, Jan’s life was saved.
Two years later, another incident occurred. Steven was picking up a takeaway when he heard desperate cries for help. A young man had collapsed on the street, but fortunately, a local GP was in the vicinity. Steven took charge of performing CPR, allowing the GP to call for an ambulance and retrieve a defibrillator and oxygen from his car. Thanks to their combined efforts, the young man survived.
The latest life-saving event took place just last month on Lake Windermere. Mel’s mother, a lifeguard at the Great North Swim, discovered a gentleman who had stopped breathing. With the help of a rescue boat and the waiting medical team onshore, Mel’s mother performed CPR on the journey back. The young man was swiftly airlifted to the hospital, where he made a full recovery. Mel received a commendation from the Royal Lifesaving Society for her heroic efforts, and her mother will soon be recognized as well.
Inspired by their experiences, Mel and her family are now advocating for lifesaving techniques to be taught in schools. Mel emphasizes that it’s crucial for people to realize that emergencies can happen to anyone, and being prepared can make all the difference. While Leah hopes she never has to use her CPR skills in a real-life situation, she has undergone training and is highly proficient.
The Daily Mirror has taken up the cause of making defibrillators mandatory in schools, sports clubs, designated shops, and other public areas. By ensuring that these life-saving devices are easily accessible, more lives can be saved in critical situations.
This inspiring family serves as a shining example of the power of compassion, quick thinking, and the importance of CPR and defibrillators in saving lives. Their dedication to making a difference and their unwavering support for their community is truly commendable.
