Luton resident Maxine, who is the House Services Manager at the University of Bedfordshire's Putteridge Bury campus, was on her way to the Co-Operative store in Stopsley in July when disaster struck.

"I arrived outside and the shutters were down," explained Maxine.

"I discovered that inside there was an emergency; a young gentleman, who was with his family, had collapsed. I was the only one with First Aid training, having recently taken the University's excellent course.

"Naturally I stepped in and put all my training to good use. I could tell the man was having a heart attack, so while the ambulance was on its way I performed CPR. When the ambulance arrived I continued to assist the paramedic before he was taken to hospital.

"Fortunately I later found out that the man had survived, which was a massive relief."

Maxine was presented with a commendation at the Ambulance Excellence Awards on Friday 14th November, where some 150 accolades were presented to people going above and beyond in patient care.

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "When Paramedic Ian Buttle arrived, Maxine was performing CPR so effectively, it gave Ian time to put his equipment together. She then continued to assist with treatment when the ambulance crew arrived. Owing to the excellent work that she carried out, the patient was conveyed to the Luton and Dunstable hospital.

"It's clear that were it not for the excellent work performed by Maxine, the outcome could have been very different."

Maxine added: "I was truly honoured to be given the award, it's very humbling indeed. The main message I take away from this is that everyone should take, and keep up-to-date with, their First Aid training because you never know when you may need it. It could easily be a member of your family lying there in a serious condition."

The University of Bedfordshire has recently launched a BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Course, which will open to students for the 2015/16 term. This innovative Course has been designed in partnership with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust and Health Education East of England.