A five year old boy from Rhondda Cynon Taff has been hailed a hero after coming to the aid of his grandmother.
Ross Button remembered what he had been taught in school by a police officer and knew just what to do when Nan fell over while she was babysitting – he shouted for help then decided to dial 999.
Now the Pontyclun Primary School pupil has been rewarded for his brave actions with a certificate from South Wales Police School Liaison Officer Pc Louise Daniells which was presented during a special school assembly.
Pc Daniells said: “Ross was being looked after by his Nan after school when she fell over and couldn’t get up.
“He remembered the lesson I had delivered on emergency services and what to do when you need help and proceeded to shout for help from his grandmother’s doorstep.
“When nobody came to his assistance, he told his Nan he was going to dial 999.”
Grandmother Marion Rossiter insisted that 999 wasn’t necessary so instead Ross fetched his Nan’s glasses, telephone book, and telephone so they could call for a relative instead.
Pc Daniells, who teaches in 20 schools in Taff South, added: “It is unusual for a boy of Ross’s age to remember everything in this kind of situation.
“His actions show the value of our input at such a young age. Not only do the children learn practical skills but they also learn to trust the emergency services, the police in particular, and that we are here to help.”
Pontyclun Primary School, like all other schools in Wales, is part of the All-Wales School Liaison Programme.
The educational programme which is delivered by police school liaison officers started in September 2004 and is arranged into three main strands – drugs and substance misuse, social behaviour and community and safety
Hugh Roberts, headteacher at Pontyclun Primary School, said: “I think what Ross did is fantastic and we are all very proud of him.
“It shows that what we have been teaching is working and I am just glad he was able to raise the alarm and that his Nan was okay.
“The input we have from South Wales Police is superb as it cover so many different aspects of keeping safe that have a positive impact on the pupils.”
