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PAPERBOY Geoff Shardelow has been hailed a hero after getting help for an elderly woman he found collapsed in her home on his round.
Geoff, 14, of Elmhurst Close, Haverhill, was delivering copies of the Haverhill Weekly News when he spotted the 85-year-old woman on the floor. He spoke to her, but she was unable to get up so he used his mobile phone to dial 999.
Neighbour Dennis Farrant was able to contact the woman's son and she was soon taken to hospital. Mr Farrant was full of praise for the young paperboy.
"He is one of the best. He could have just walked away but he was on his mobile phone straight away to get help for her. He was tip-top," Mr Farrant said.
Geoff's supervisor Denise Kirkby said she thought his action deserved recognition.
"I think she could have been there for some time, so he could possibly have saved her life. She was a lucky lady that he found her and he did us all proud," Mrs Kirkby said.
Proud mum Helen Shardelow said Geoff was quite shocked by what had happened afterwards.
"I am proud of him. A lot of kids would not have known what to do. She told him she was all right and would get up soon but he could see she needed help," Mrs Shardelow said.
The son of the 85-year-old woman, who asked that they should not be named, said he was very grateful to Geoff for his actions.
"It was very commendable. He showed great presence of mind and strength of character.
"We believe she may have been there most of the day, so she could have come to a very undignified end," her son said.