A woman who received life-saving CPR from an off-duty police officer three years ago has now undergone a heart transplant.

When Glyn Patrick fell ill by the roadside on Burnhill Way in Newton Aycliffe in 2020, off-duty police officer PC Lauren Howe  performed life-saving CPR.

Thanks to PC Howe’s quick and lifesaving actions - and the help of a defibrillator and ambulance crew - Glyn made it to hospital, where she received vital care and a new pacemaker.

Three years later, Glyn - now firm friends with PC Howe - found herself on the organ transplant list due to her ongoing heart condition.

The Northern Echo: PC Lauren Howe, right with Glyn, left

Glyn got the call for a new heart and, in September, she underwent a successful transplant at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

She said: “I’d like to thank Dr Crilley DMH for the transplant referral, all the transplant team at the Freeman and wards 21 and 38 – and of course, my donor family for their selfless act."

Now aged 45, Glyn - who has faced many challenge - was released home at the end of October, and she has since been recovering well.

She added: “I’d also like to say a huge thank-you to Lauren for saving my life that day and giving me those three extra years to make it onto the list.”

PC Howe is now encouraging members of the public to register themselves as organ doners and to learn CPR.

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PC Howe said: “What a privilege it is to save somebody’s life and as a result, make a great friend in such a lovely person. For Glyn to have a transplant and now be so healthy is just amazing.

“I encourage everybody to do two things, sign up as a donor and to learn basic CPR, as you just don’t know when you might need it.”

Signing up as an organ donor takes just two minutes, yet it can save up to nine lives.

Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk