Holly (5) is a medical marvel after saving her Kimberworth mum

Five-year-old Holly Garritty rang for an ambulance and then unlocked the front door to let in paramedics after mum Gemma (33) passed out.

Proud Gemma, of Banks Close, Kimberworth, hailed the Roughwood Primary pupil as a “little superstar” and revealed: “Holly has always had a keen interest in looking after people and watching children’s informational videos on the body, health and first aid and we as parents have always answered any questions she may have relating to this including what to do in case of an emergency.

“I am so so proud of what she did.”

Gemma, who is soon to start work as a teaching assistant, said she had suffered several fainting episodes over the recent months, with doctors believing it could be related to anxiety.

And on January 9 she was taken ill again as she dressed Holly and her four-year-old sister Eva for bed after their bath.

“I had been having chest pains for a few days and whilst bathing the children I started having searing pains in my head,” she said.

“We were in the living room putting their pyjamas on and my legs went from under me and I just collapsed.

“The next thing I knew was I was lying on the floor and Holly was on the phone.

“I thought she was on the phone to my mum as she sometimes calls me on the house phone but Holly had called 999 and was speaking to the operator. 

“She seemed very calm.

“After she let the paramedics in and they checked me over, there were a few tears, I think Holly thought she was in trouble because she has been told not use the house phone except in an emergency.

“But of course she wasn’t in trouble — nothing could be further from the truth.”

After coming round, Gemma called husband Liam (36), who was at a friends’ house, to come and look after their daughters while she was taken to hospital. 

She said paramedics had found no obvious cause of her collapse and blood tests had so far proved inconclusive..

Gemma added: “I discovered all this after returning from hospital that Holly had called for an ambulance, given the lady our address, rolled me onto my back, unlocked the door and tried keeping her younger sister calm.

“She has always been interested in anything to do with hospitals or doctors, ever since she was really little.

“Her dad and I have also educated her in first aid and what to do in an emergency.

“I’ve been on first aid courses and she has always wanted to read the books and been fascinated by the subject, which they’re studying at school after half-term

“Maybe she will become a doctor or a nurse in the future.”