A TEENAGER from Farnworth has a date with royalty after giving emergency first aid to a stricken marathon runner.
St John Ambulance volunteer Ben Hibbert kept a cool head to help a woman who collapsed yards from the finishing line of the Greater Manchester Marathon in May.
Next month the 17-year-old will be recognised for his efforts, along with the community work he undertakes, by receiving a young achievers award from Princess Anne at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Lorna Lotockyj, the St John Ambulance divisional officer for Oldham nominated him for the award.
She said: “He is an absolute star and it’s absolutely superb he is getting this award — it couldn’t have gone to a better person. The way he helped me deal with this woman who had collapsed was unbelievable.
“He kept his cool as we treated her for heat exhaustion and dehydration and behaved in a way that is a credit to himself and the St John Ambulance Service.”
Ben, who lives with his family in Harrowby Street and works at Leverhulme Sports Centre, says he is delighted to be going to Buckingham Palace on October 8.
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