It's Oliver's army

GUEST APPEARANCE . . . Special Achievement Award winners Chadderton Wellbeing Centre staff who help road accident victim Oliver Smethurst (5), pictured in front with his sister Megan(6). Mum Shirley Davey is holding the trophy.

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STAFF at Chadderton Wellbeing Centre received the Special Achievement ward for preventing a tragedy when a four-year-old boy was hit by a car, suffering serious injuries.

Oliver Smethurst, who is now aged five, suffered a fractured skull, pelvis and broken legs during the incident on Burnley Street in February.

Staff Paul Harrison, Eileen Marsh, Chris Bush, Karen Lord and Patrick Wolstenholme came to the rescue, providing Oliver with first aid and keeping his family calm until paramedics arrived.

Oliver underwent a six-hour hospital operation to pin his thigh bones together and spent three days under sedation in intensive care.

After spending weeks in hospital, he returned home and the Chadderton centre staff are now giving him one-to-one swimming lessons to help his rehabilitation.

Oliver presented the staff with the award on stage at Queen Elizabeth Hall with Sir Norman Stoller.

Speaking on behalf of the Chadderton staff, receptionist Karen Lord said: "I'm not usually stuck for words but I am tonight. This award is really special and it was made even more special by receiving it from Oliver."

Oliver, who attends Stanley Road Primary School, was with his family at the awards. Mum Shirley Davy said: "It's amazing to be here. I'm so grateful to everyone who helped and also so proud of them. Oliver is amazing too and he's delighted to be here - he thought he had won the award!"

Finalists were nurse and Royton church stalwart Marie Price, and Chadderton girl Jessica Ashford, who helped her mum after an accident at home.

Marie spent 45 years treating patients in war zones around the world and patients in the UK.

She currently helps the elderly at Chadderton Total Care and also helps Trinity Methodist in Royton with pastoral visits.

She said: "This is the first award I've ever won in my whole career! I'm very proud and humbled."

Jessica came to the aid of her mother, Susan Ashford, who had fallen down the stairs at home and lost all feeling from the waist down.

Jessica, who was only three at the time, climbed onto a chair to search for a phone in her mum's handbag. She then called her grandmother, who in turn called paramedics. Jessica then let emergency crews into the house.

Mum and dad Susan and Lee Ashford accompanied her to the awards.

Susan said: "We've had a lovely time here. To share tonight's stories with others has been a real pleasure."

Lee added: "We want to thank Jessica because without her we would not be here tonight."