Monday, May 29th I went shopping in Richmond and collapsed outside Waitrose. I was lying on the floor next to my shopping being sick and everyone just kept walking on by. One woman even bent down and put a pound coin in front of my face.

I was in shock at the time and couldn’t speak and so just kept shaking my head, there was sweat pouring down my face and I was shivering with cold. Waitrose staff just stood in a group by the main entrance just gawping and doing nothing.

Maybe 15 mins later an elderly lady stopped and looked at me with concern and asked if I was ok, I was not able to speak so just kept shaking my head, she asked if I needed an ambulance, I kept nodding my head.

I could see her and hear her but I could not speak because of shock. When she was talking with the ambulance people I hear her say “I don’t know why he has collapsed” so I quickly kept pointing at my chest.

The ambulance came and they put me straight into the back and hooked me up to the machine and took readings which they radioed to the hospital. I was rushed straight to Hammersmith hospital suffering a severe heart attack.

The surgeon told me after that had I been another 30 minutes I would not have pulled through. I was half an hour away from death and only survived because that dear elderly lady stopped and cared enough to help.

I have a 2 year old daughter, that kindness means my daughter still has a father. If you can publish this story and the lady in question reads this, I cannot thank you enough, I truly believe that you were put in my path by God.

Now I hope that dear lady can sit back with a nice cup of tea and feel very, very special, whoever you are you saved my life. Thank you and God bless you x. James.

Article supplied by James Simpson