Jake-Junior had just a finished football match and was on his way home when he noticed a woman giving CPR to a man who had collapsed near the school gates. Remembering his recent personal development lessons, he immediately ran back into school to collect the onsite defibrillator so it could be brought to the scene.
Emergency services arrived shortly afterwards, and Jake-Junior stayed nearby as police officers and paramedics took over.
Jake-Junior’s understanding of CPR and defibrillators came from first aid and personal development lessons at Da Vinci Academy, where students had recently been shown how to respond in an emergency and where key equipment is located.
“In the moment, I was really worried about the man who collapsed. I wanted to help because if it was one of my family members, I would want someone else to do the same.
“I learnt that little things can make a big difference. Anything can happen, so you should always know where the nearest emergency items are. You have to remain calm but react quickly before it’s too late.”
Jake-Junior received his Divisional Commander’s Commendation at an awards ceremony held by Derbyshire Constabulary at Derbyshire County Cricket Club. He was accompanied by his mother and siblings, who were proud to see him receive recognition for his actions.
As a result of the incident, Jake-Junior has taken on wider responsibilities in school and is now an Anti-Bullying Ambassador, supporting classmates and contributing to a positive environment. He says the experience has also inspired him to think about a future career that will allow him to help others.
“Jake-Junior showed remarkable awareness and compassion in an incredibly serious situation. His instinct to act, and the confidence he showed in going straight for the defibrillator, demonstrate the real impact of first aid education. We are very proud of him and of the calm, responsible way he helped.
“At Da Vinci Academy, we aim to equip students with the skills and confidence to support others and contribute to their community, and Jake-Junior is an excellent example of this.”
