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Quick-thinking paperboy Philip praised by ambulance chiefs
From the Bolton Evening News, first published Wednesday 12th Jul 2000.
A PAPERBOY was praised by ambulance chiefs today after alerting neighbours to a woman's cries for help as he was delivering on his morning round.
Quick-thinking Philip Aldred, 13, pictured, turned good-Samaritan by alerting neighbours when he heard the calls from inside the old-people's bungalow on Withins Drive, Breightmet.
The 79-year-old woman had become immobilised in pain from a long-standing hip problem and could not get out of her kitchen.
He rushed to the next-door house to raise the alarm and pensioner Kathleen Howarth went to her neighbour's aid.
She later went to hospital for check ups and a blood test. She was still being kept in hospital yesterday where she was described as comfortable.
Praise has been heaped on Philip, of Dovedale Road, for his concern by Greater Manchester Ambulance service chiefs.
An ambulance spokesman said: "He showed great initiative in sounding the alarm. He acted very responsibly and his actions were a real credit to him."
Mrs Howarth, who keeps an eye on her elderly neighbour, said: "It was very, very good of him to look out for her like that. He was very upset when he heard her cries for help. Even after I had gone to see to her, he was waiting to find out if she was all right."
She said her neighbour broke her hip five years ago and six weeks ago chipped a bone in her back which means she is often in a lot of pain.
Withins School pupil Philip has been delivering papers for ten months from Breightmet News newsagents.
His boss, newsagent Ian Morris, said; "He is a very conscientious lad. But I would expect any of our newspaper boys to do the same. It just shows how there are side benefits to having newspaper deliveries."
Proud mum Sandra, 48, said of Philip: "He's got a lovely caring nature. He helps out his own gran. He was just very worried about this lady."
Philip said: "I just heard a lot of crying from inside the house. I just thought I had better go and get help. It's the first time I've done anything like this but I'm sure I would do the same again."
And Octagon Theatre chiefs, who heard of Philip's good deed, have offered him two tickets to any production of next season's plays.
Philip is a keen actor and has already appeared in productions at his school.
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