Bishop Auckland boy praised for calling 999 for diabetic mum

Earlier this year diabetic Kelly Lister suffered a hypo during the night and her nine-year-old son Callum Crow sprung into action.

He gave his mum a sugary orange juice to revive her but when that didn't work, Callum didn't hesitate to call 999.

Because of his quick actions, community paramedic Richard York soon arrived at their Bishop Auckland home to ensure Kelly got the help she needed.

Richard was so impressed with Callum's actions he nominated him for a bravery award which he presented to the youngster today.

Richard said: “Callum acted quickly and made some very clever decisions about how he could help his mam.

"His actions prevented the situation from becoming more serious than it already was.

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“When I arrived Callum quickly took me to his mam, providing relevant information while walking.

Kelly Lister with her son Callum Crow Picture: NEAS (Image: NEAS)

"Upon entering the room, I could see that she was unconscious, had been moved into a modified recovery position and there was also food and drink as Callum had tried to treat her himself.

“It's a pleasure to meet his mam and tell her in person how impressed I was with how he handled it all with such maturity."

Talking about calling 999, Callum said: “The orange juice I gave my mam didn't help her and she still couldn't talk so I knew I had to phone for an ambulance.

"I got her mobile phone and called 999.

"Jill asked me lots of questions and said an ambulance was coming.

“I was way calmer when the ambulance came because I knew they were going to help my mam."

He said he was 'excited' to receive his North East Ambulance Service bravery award from the medics who treated his mum that night.

He said: “I was excited about seeing the ambulance people again, they were really nice when they came to help my mam and they were just as nice when I saw them today, they all gave me high fives.

Katie-Jane Dowson, Richard York, Callum, Jill Doran, Sophie Wood (Image: NEAS)

"We were so lucky to have such good people to look after us.”

Kelly, 34, said she was proud of how her son handled the situation.

She said: “When I saw the paramedics, I thought it was a dream, so I tried to go back to sleep.

"I was confused and disorientated, so couldn’t understand why they were here.

“Callum’s my little hero, I’m very proud of him.”

Kelly was treated and left safely at home to recover.

Health advisor Jill Doran, who has worked for NEAS for 15-years, answered the 999 call and was able to give Callum instructions for treating Kelly before the crews arrived.

She said: “This was the first patient reunion I have taken part in and it was a pleasure to meet Callum and his mum, Kelly.

“When I asked how old he was and Callum told me he was just nine, I was quite taken aback.

Callum Crow and Jill Doran Picture: NEAS (Image: NEAS)

"He answered everything I asked of him, did what I asked of him and was so calm.”

After a diabetic episode a few years ago, Kelly taught Callum what to do if she became ill – including how to give her a sugary drink, how to call 999 and their address.

Kelly said: “Diabetes is so unpredictable, and I’d encourage other parents to do the same so their children know what to do in an emergency.”

Jill added: “It was great that Callum knew the answers to the questions I was asking him. It's so important to teach your children about how and when to call 999.

"Explain to them that they will be asked things like, can you wake Mummy/Daddy up?

“We need to know what is going on and will try to make the questions more child friendly.

"Make sure they know their address and try to explain to them it’s important to listen carefully and answer as best they can.”

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