AN ABERYSTWYTH student has been nominated for a hero award after saving her brother’s life.

On Sunday 28 March this year, 20-year-old Aberystwyth University student Caitlin Lory arrived home in Pontypridd with her mother Hayley and found her older brother Matthew lying on the kitchen floor. Matthew had suffered a cardiac arrest.

While they waited for an ambulance to arrive, Caitlin performed CPR on Matthew, 24, keeping her brother alive.

Matthew is continuing to recover and their mother Hayley has nominated Caitlin for a British Heart Foundation Heart Hero Award in recognition of her wonderful actions.

After a difficult few years, where she lost both parents, her brother and husband to illness, Caitlin’s mum Hayley says, "My whole world collapsed when I saw my son die in front of me. My daughter has saved all my families lives by saving my son’s."

Head of BHF Cymru Adam Fletcher said: “The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but so many have continued to fundraise, volunteer and donate to the BHF. We’re recognising this incredible support through our Heart Hero Awards. The awards also recognise amazing people like Caitlin, who have used CPR skills to save a life. They are truly inspirational and we are so proud of them all.”

"We are delighted that Laerdal Medical are the proud supporters of the BHF Heart Hero Awards 2021."

The BHF Hero Awards will be presented by Vernon Kay at a star-studded virtual ceremony on World Heart Day, Wednesday 29 September.

There are around 2,800 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Wales each year. Just 1 in 20 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Wales.

Every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chances of survival by up to 10 per cent, but immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival.

As well as Caitlin there are five other nominees from Wales in this year’s Heart Hero Awards:

CPR Heroes – David Colclough and Rhys Lane from Newport who saved the life of Lee Maher

My Healthcare Hero – Aimee Williams from Llanharan, nominated by Gethin Ellis, a cardiologist

Fundraising in the Community - The Cardigan Branch of BHF Cymru

Fundraising in the Community - Barry Kirk from Port Talbot