A HAMPSHIRE heart charity had an emotional win at the National Heart Safe Awards winning ‘Educational Establishment of the Year’ on the same day that their founder was rushed to hospital.

Meon Valley Heartstart (MVHS) topped a shortlist of four finalists from around the country to take home the prestigious accolade.

The annual awards, hosted in Manchester, celebrate organisations and employers that provide training and equipment so that staff are able to act quickly should someone suffer a heart attack.

However, David Williamson, founder of MVHS and the local community responders group, which also won the award for ‘Best Community Group of the Year’, suffered a major post-operative bleed, and was attended to by one of the Bishop’s Waltham Community First Responders his organisation trained while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Recovering at home, David said: “I am so pleased that both schemes have been recognised as best in their categories at national level through this award scheme. It is all down to the tireless work of the volunteers who keep the scheme going and are committed to saving lives.

“Having had first-hand experience of their work so recently, for me this is an extra special accolade for the people who give their time so selflessly. Without their dedication and hard work my situation could have been very serious indeed.”

Founded In 2001, MVHS provides free resuscitation and defibrillator training to community groups, the general public, educational institutions, businesses, GP practices and other organisations across Hampshire.