A GIRL of nine who dialled 999 when her mother became unwell has been rewarded by South East Ambulance Service.

Abby Goodall, from Snodland, near Rochester, was presented with a special certificate by the calltaker who took Abby’s 999 call, Rona Davies, on Thursday. Abby made the emergency call when her mum, Joanne Goodall, suffered breathing problems in January this year.

Abby, who suffers from a heart condition herself, kept very calm as she provided the call taker with all the information needed to get help to her mum.

Joanne said: “She was very brave and I’m so proud of her. I think it is very important that children know what to do in emergencies. I do suffer with panic attacks so made sure she learnt what to do if I became unwell.”

Call taker, Rona Davies, who took the emergency call, said: “Abby remained calm throughout the time we were on the telephone. She was obviously very concerned for her mum and kept a watchful eye on her until the ambulance arrived.”

Joanne who was taken to Maidstone Hospital had suffered a very severe migraine.

Clinical deliver manager for Maidstone ambulance station, Theresa McDonagh, said: “It is always a pleasure to reward a child when they have used the 999 number appropriately. It also highlights just how important it is to teach children what to do in the case of an emergency.”