Hero schoolboy TJay Gaskell has been honoured with a top bravery award for saving his mum’s life.
The quick-thinking 11-year-old dialled 999 after finding his mum Roxanne lying unconscious on the living room floor at their home in Airedale, Castleford.
Airedale Academy pupil TJay has been presented with a Royal Humane Society award for his courage in phoning the emergency services and looking after his three-year-old twin sisters while they waited for help after his mum’s collapse just before Christmas.
Mum Roxanne Gaskell, 28, said: “I am so proud of TJay and how well he coped with things.
“If he hadn’t done what he did straight away I wouldn’t be here today and I can’t thank him enough for that.
“I didn’t know it was TJay who had saved my life until the next day when the police told me how amazing he had been and what a smashing lad he is.
“I think it’s very important that people how show bravery like TJay’s are recognised so they know they have done something special.”
The young Castleford Tigers’ fan received his award from Wakefield police Chief Supt Marc Callaghan.
TJay, who plays for Townville Tigers rugby club, had been upstairs at the family home last December 19 when his mother collapsed in the living room.
He quickly rang 999, providing accurate details to the operator about what had happened.
He also called a family friend for help, while keeping an eye on his three-year-old sisters Lily and Tayla, who were sleeping.
Mrs Gaskell was taken by ambulance to Pinderfields Hospital at Wakefield for treatment.
Chf Supt Callaghan said: “It was a real pleasure for me to present this award to TJay whose bravery and quick-thinking has without a doubt saved his mum’s life.
“It must have been a terrifying experience for a boy as young as TJay to come down and see his mother like that and it’s quite remarkable he reacted in the way he did.”
TJay was also rewarded with a signed Castleford Tigers rugby ball.
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