Darlington woman who saved a life with CPR to fundraise by running seven marathons in seven days

The money will go to the British Heart Foundation

Author: Karen LiuPublished 16th Dec 2023

A Darlington woman who saved a man's life with CPR is urging people to learn how to do it.

24-year-old Anna Jordinson said she and another man were the only people to step up when the man fell to the floor at the church service last December as they were singing carols.

She learned CPR when she worked as a police officer and says she would encourage everyone to learn CPR so more people had the confidence to save lives in the way that she did.

One year on, Anna is planning to run seven marathons in seven days at the end of March next year to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), after she was inspired by her own lifesaving actions.

She said: "There were about 150 people there and only me and one other man stepped in. In this situation so many people just freeze and don’t know what to do. This is the inspiration behind my fundraising – it is so important that people learn how to do CPR so they have the confidence to save a life like we did that day."

Anna said she and the other man spent about 30 minutes taking it in turns to perform CPR before the ambulance arrived. She said she had not met the man they saved after he was taken to hospital, but had heard he had recovered well.

She added: "I have done a few marathons, including the New York and Rome marathons, so wanted something a bit more challenging. I’ll be doing them on the streets around Darlington with the support of my sister and a friend, who will be doing some bits with me. I don’t have a time in mind - I'm just hoping to finish them all!"

Leya Baksh, BHF fundraising manager for North Yorkshire and County Durham, said: “This is an incredible story in so many ways – first Anna is a CPR hero after saving a man’s life, now she’s taking on this amazing challenge to raise money for the BHF.

“Not only that, but she is helping us raise awareness of our Christmas campaign which aims to raise funds for vital research to help people like the man whose life she saved.

“Well done Anna – you are truly inspirational.”

To help Anna reach her fundraising target, donate here.

To donate to the British Heart Foundation this festive season and give A Gift that Keeps on Living, visit their website.

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