THE quick thinking actions of a 10-year-old have given her grandmother a chance of survival after she suffered a serious stroke at their home in Caldicot.

Maddison Bullen dialled 999 when she noticed her grandmother Mary Bullen, 79, showing signs of a stroke. Maddy was familiar with the early signs of a stroke having seen the FAST television information campaign, which encourages members of the public to act fastif they suspect that they or someone they know is having a stroke.

Maddy said: “I’d seen the FAST information on television. As soon as nan started to slur her speech and her mouth dropped I knew what it looked like and I just phoned 999 for help.

“It was quite frightening, but I’m so glad that I did phone for the ambulance because it gives nan a chance to get better.”

Phil Bullen, Maddy’s father and a pharmacist, said: “I am very proud of her, she was extremely cool and didn’t panic. She called me straight after phoning the ambulance.

“My mother was incredibly fit before the stroke, Maddy has given her the best chance with the speed in which she called for an ambulance.”

The FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) test is to help people to recognise the tell-tale signs of a stroke which involves checking a person’s face for signs of weakness or facial droop, their arms for weakness, and their speech for slurring, or difficulty speaking.

Richie Bullen, Maddy’s uncle and is an urgent care assistant (UCA) for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “From Maddy’s swift emergency call it led to a rapid ambulance service response and then to conveyance to the hospital on blue lights and sirens.

“Of course, what that all means is that although my mother is still seriously ill in hospital, thanks to Maddy and the FAST campaign she now has a better chance of recovery.”

Mrs Bullen is still recovering at Chepstow Community Hospital.

Maddy was presented with a certificate from the Welsh Ambulance Service for her efforts on a recent visit to the Clinical Control Centre in Cwmbran.