A YOUNG girl has been awarded for saving her sister’s life using skills she learned at Cubs.

Minka Moldovan, aged 8 and a pupil at Powerstock Primary School, was eating dinner with her younger sister Alexandra, aged 4, when she started choking.

At first Minka from Melplash thought her sister was just coughing, but quickly realised she couldn’t breath and that she was choking on a piece of pasta.

Minka then saved Alexandra’s life by using back thrusts she had learned at Cubs.

Minka told her family and group scout leader, Joy Edwards, who is also her school piano teacher, about the ordeal.

Mrs Edwards then got in touch with District Commissioner of Scouting Dave Hillier about presenting Minka with a special award.

Mr Hillier attended the 1st Beaminster Cub group on Monday night (March 9) to present Minka with the Commissioner’s Commendation.

Mr Hillier said: “I oversee the Dorchester and West Dorset district for Scouting.

“I suggested and Arkela agreed, that the Commissioner’s Commendation would be appropriate. It’s an award for outstanding service to Scouting. It’s for individuals who go above and beyond what’s expected in Scouting, so we felt that it was fitting.

“Minka showed strength of character and bravery at a very stressful time.”

Minka was taught first aid when a paramedic visited the Cub group several months ago.

Mr Hillier added: “Hopefully when we teach young people these skills, they never have to use them, it’s a frightening experience when someone you love or care for is taken unwell.

“Luckily she was mature enough to take a deep breath and act appropriately.”

Mrs Edwards said: “You can keep the Commissioner’s Commendation until you’re an adult, it’s a very prestigious award, it’s not something given out very often.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the only one in Dorset at the moment. I was really proud that Minka learned the skill in Cubs.” Minka said she was ‘very proud’ to have saved her sister’s life.

Her dad, Dennis Moldovan, said: “We are very proud of Minka. When we saw Alexandra she was almost going blue, it was very scary.

“I don’t know what would have happened if Minka hadn’t acted quickly, so thank you and thank you to Cubs for teaching her. Without them it could have ended badly.”