Northwood mum, Bernie Conway, while out training in Richmond for the London Marathon, saved a mans life when he collapsed of a heart attack right in front of her.
The 37-year-old, who had her 13-month-old son in his pram, stopped jogging and jumped straight into action when the man suddenly collapsed.
Bernie, who is a nurse manager, explained: “I was doing a parkrun in Richmond and I had my baby son in his pram and a man collapsed suddenly with no one around.”
“I immediately stopped running and ran over to the man with my son in the pram. I quickly realised that the gentleman had stopped breathing so I began chest compressions.”
“While giving compressions I shouted for someone to call 999. I shocked the gentleman several times using the defibrillator.”
“It all felt like a lifetime. Thankfully he survived. I believe everything happens for a reason and if I wasn’t taking part in the marathon then circumstances could have been different.”
Other than being a passionate runner, Bernie is running the London Marathon to show that being a newly mum shouldn’t stop mums from achieving their goals.
She said: “Yes my priorities are different, but I want to show mums out there you can achieve your personal goals and having a child shouldn’t get in the way, it should spur you on.”
Bernie is running for charity Alternatives Watford, who Bernie stumbled across when pregnant with baby Hugo.
Alternatives offer counselling for postnatal depression, miscarriage, stillbirth and other pregnancy related challenges.
Bernie, who has raised just over £1,000 of her £2,000 target, added: “While out searching for a running buggy, I stumbled across Alternatives who are a fantastic charity. You can find everything a new parent could need.
“They provide counselling for postnatal depression, a subject which few ever talk about, which loads suffer from. Knowing the money, I raise for the marathon will be going towards a charity which helps mothers, parents and babies who really need the help is an amazing feeling.
“The charity also gifts lovingly baby boxes which are filled with items a mum-to-be might need. I am passionate about up-cycling and recycling, so I buy everything from Alternatives.”
To find further information about Alternatives Watford, visit alternativeswatford.co.uk
To read Bernie’s story or to donate to her fundraising page, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=bernie-conway-SAVMLMBONDS3332019-9541&pageUrl=1
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