A MOTHER’S ‘little hero’ has been given an award for his brave actions after she collapsed in their Dorchester home.

Seven-year-old Toby Harvey, a pupil at Damers First School, has been praised for his bravery after he raised the alarm when his mum Angela Harvey suddenly collapsed.

Miss Harvey said her son had looked after her and his younger brother while she was unconscious.

She said: “Toby did really well. I don’t remember much about what happened.

“The hospital thinks I may have collapsed because I was still recovering from meningitis from last year.

“I have since made a full recovery but I have no doubt that Toby’s prompt actions made a huge difference – not only did he help me but was able to look after his young brother, Scott.

“He’s my little hero.”

Toby, who has been taught first aid as a St John Ambulance Badger, was presented a certificate of commendation by the South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Damian Nineham, a paramedic who attended Toby’s ambulance call on February 20, said he had been very impressed with the youngster’s actions and felt he deserved a formal award.

He said: “Not only was he able to call for help but Toby remained calm and helpful at all times.

“He provided the ambulance crew and myself with all the information we needed to look after his mum successfully, in what would have been a very frightening situation for him.

“It shows the importance of early first aid training for young people and how it can save lives.

“Most children of his age wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Caroline Matthews, Set Leader for Dorchester Badgers, said Toby had acted bravely and that first aid knowledge like his could be the difference between life and death.

She said: “We are all very proud of Toby, he was very brave.

“We teach our Badgers, who are aged from five to 10 years, basic first aid and many other subjects too.

“Occasionally, this knowledge can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”