A widow has given a heartfelt thank you to the ambulance crews who tried to save her husband’s life after he collapsed.

Geoffrey Mbulo, known as Geo, was just a week short of his 44th birthday when he complained he was feeling unwell and felt like he was choking before he collapsed.

The business consultant’s wife, Jacqui, called 999 and within three minutes the first ambulance of three had arrived at their home in Gillingham.

“It was a devastating, shocking blow to the family,” said 44-year-old Jacqui.

“I am just coming to terms with Geo’s death and wanted to meet those who worked so hard in trying to help him. It has been a very hard year but I always knew they did everything they could for him and wanted say how much we appreciated their efforts.”

Ambulance technician Kate Foster and emergency care support worker (ECSW) Mark Wood had been on a meal break at the station, close to the Mbulo house, and were first on scene in May last year.

"It was a devastating, shocking blow to the family" - Jacqui Mbulo

They were then joined by paramedic Angela Cavalier, technician Michelle Dziedzic and student paramedic Tom Doherty.

They used a defibrillator to try to restart Geo’s heart but he failed to respond.

Critical care paramedic Craig Whitehead and ECSW Paul Creese continued attempts to revive him for 40 minutes, but he passed away.

Angela said: “It was very kind of Jacqui to come in to thank us and show her appreciation with a cake. We just wish there could have been a better outcome.”

Jacqui said investigations after Geo’s death revealed he had a underlying cardiac condition which he was not aware of.

She is now hoping to start a campaign for young men from Africa to be tested for cardiac disease.

The couple are originally from Zambia and Geo has been buried in the country.

Jacqui also paid tribute to the support the crews gave her and the help she received from her neighbours.

“The local community has been just fantastic supporting me through this awful time,” she said.

She also praised her daughter, 19-year-old Chawanzi, for her maturity and added: “She was the one who took in what the crews were saying afterwards and she’s been just amazing in helping me get through this.”