The family of a mum-of-three who was shocked 10 times with a defibrillator was told she had a 5% chance of survival.

Thankfully, she pulled through and now Gemma Ledger, from Sittingbourne, has been reunited with the ambulance service colleagues who helped save her life.

The 39-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest at her home on the morning of January 23. Her three children, aged two, five and 13, were asleep next door.

Richard, her partner of 18 years, woke to what sounded like her snoring, but when he tried to wake her he found her gasping for air.

Gemma became unconscious moments later and Richard immediately called 999, where he was instructed on how to perform CPR before the ambulance crew arrived.

On shift that day were operational team leader Paul Ellis, trainee associate ambulance practitioner Graham Seal, ambulance paramedic Tobias Hiller-Wood and critical care paramedic Kieren Pugh.

They administered 10 shocks with a defibrillator and stabilised the mum before taking her to King’s College Hospital in London.

“The drive to King’s was one of the scariest of my life,” Richard said. “It felt like it took forever.

“We were told that Gemma had a 5% chance of survival for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, so I went through a range of emotions while travelling up to London.

“I can’t thank Graham enough for trying to keep my mind occupied while driving as quick as he could to King’s.”

Gemma spent a week in intensive care before being moved to a general ward for a further two weeks of recovery.

The pair were recently able to visit South East Coast Ambulance’s Medway Make Ready Centre in Gillingham where they were reunited with the team who arrived to help, as well as being given a tour of the £6.5 million facility – including the Emergency Operations Centre.

Gemma said: “I have no memory of the event itself, until I woke up in hospital days later, so it was an eye-opener for me to meet those who helped me.

“I am so appreciative of their efforts and truly wouldn’t be here today without them.”

Richard added: “Originally, we thought that Gemma had a low chance of survival, so it is truly a miracle that she’s here today.

“A big thank you to the team, they all do a great job every day and are lovely people. Many thanks from the bottom of our hearts.”

“I am so appreciative of their efforts and truly wouldn’t be here today without them.”

Trainee associate ambulance practitioner, Graham Seal said: “It’s rare that we ever get to meet a cardiac arrest survivor, and so I am so pleased that Gemma and Richard wanted to meet us.

“Richard’s good quality CPR played a huge factor as to why Gemma is still here today, and we can’t thank him enough for starting the process before our arrival.”

Gemma is on a long road to recovery and is taking every day as it comes.

She suffers with a number of side-effects including tiredness and since the incident has successfully been fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) – a small device which sends electrical pulses to regulate abnormal heart rhythms.