** THIS IS A REALLY COOL STORY – PEOPLE FEATURED IN IT ARE THE OPPOSITE OF THE OUR USUAL POSTS **
A member of the Dyfed Powys Police Federation who was off-duty saved the life of a two-year-old child and expressed her joy at receiving several accolades and nominations for her deeds earlier this year.
In January, Zoë Williams was strolling along Solva Beach in Pembrokeshire when she heard cries for aid from Francesca (Fran), who was distraught after her daughter, Elliott, had passed out.
Zoë took total control of the matter and, after 25 minutes of CPR on Elliott, managed to get the toddler in and out of consciousness by the time paramedics arrived.
Rushed to Cardiff Hospital, Elliott recovered fully from a diagnosed heart arrest. Doctors informed Fran and Elliott’s father, Mike, that without Zoë’s resuscitation, she would have only had a five per cent survival rate, given her early age and remoteness of the incident.
The fast-thinking police officer now boasts three recognitions: commendations from the Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police and the High Sheriff and a nomination for the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP).
” I am really chuffed with all three of these acknowledgements. It’s very nice to be recognised, and I appreciate the fuss that has been made over me. Zoë stated.
” The most important thing, still, is that Elliott is alive and happy and healthy – that’s all that will ever matter for me.
Fran, who now considers Zoë a close friend, Mike, and Fran’s parents, Annette and John, joined Zoë at the High Sheriff’s Commendations ceremony on March 16. The Chief Constable’s Commendations on May 3 came next.
Attending the BAWP awards ceremony with Dyfed Powys Police colleagues at Carden Park, Cheshire, on 3 and 4 June, the constable was also honoured to be featured in the “Excellence in Performance” category despite missing out on first place.
Still, her most valuable item has been a present from Elliott and her family for her 30th birthday in July. With a touching inscription written for her on the inside cover, Zoë was presented with “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy — Elliott’s favourite bedtime story.
“The message thanked me for what I had done and said the words in the book had taken on new meaning for Fran, Mike and Elliott since what happened – the story is all about kindness and friendship,” she said.
” It was an absolutely beautiful gift, and I’ll treasure it forever.”
Zoë also discussed her ongoing contact with the family and her happiness in seeing Elliott grow up—who has an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted to future-proof any severely irregular cardiac rhythms.
“It’s difficult to put her [Elliott] into words. She’s the most lovely, bouncy, bubbly little girl and she has already grown a lot in the time I’ve known her.
” I also feel so grateful that Fran and Mike came into my life. They are such amazing parents and I know I have a friend for life in Fran.”
“I’m just glad they still have their little girl,” she ended.
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