It's a busy time of year for Father Christmas - but at one Tameside Christmas party this year, he gave a gift like no other after an 81-year-old collapsed.
Volunteer John Gilmour was attending the Denton North East Christmas Party arranged by local councillors at Denton Festival Hall dressed as Santa, ready to hand out gifts and pose for pictures. But his skills as a a former A&E nurse and first aider saved the day after he was called upon to help collapsed pensioner Tom.
With assistance from fellow first aider Penny Brooks, the pair managed to resuscitate Tom, who immediately asked Santa: ‘Where’s my present?’!
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John, from Ashton, who runs Lifeline Community Ambulance Community Interest Company, said it was a 'fantastic feeling to see Tom recovering after the CPR.
“Amazingly his first response when he saw Santa leaning over him on the ground was to ask ‘where’s my present?’," he added. “It was brilliant to see that despite his disorientation he felt well enough to have a sense of humour and also such a relief to see him breathing and talking."
John said he had given CPR before but never dressed as Santa, branding it as a 'unique' and 'unexpected' experience. "I’m just pleased Tom is all right now and I would also like to thank Penny and the rest of the team of first aid volunteers who were also hand to help," he said.
Tom was taken by ambulance to hospital and was kept in for a couple of days for observation but is now recovering back home with his wife, Ann. The retired planning engineer said: “I don’t remember very much about what happened but I used to be a first aider at work so I know what it takes to have to stay calm in a crisis so my thanks goes to John and the team.
“I had a stroke earlier in the year, which affected my mobility, we’re not sure if this was linked but I’m having more tests. All I want for Christmas now is to stay alive – and I’m very grateful to Santa for getting me this far!”
Tameside Council Executive Member and Denton ward member Cllr Denise Ward, who helped to organise the Christmas Party said: “I’m so glad this Christmas story had a happy ending and Tom is safe and well back home with his family. A very big thank you our Santa, John, and the team for stepping in to give life saving first aid – it is the best Christmas present anyone could give in this situation and I am full of admiration and appreciation.”
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