Daniel Lavery was giving a talk to a women’s group when one member started having breathing difficulties

A West Hill woman who suffered a heart attack during a meeting has thanked the founder of Devon Freewheelers after he sprang to her aid.

Christina Willoughby was attending a women’s group event in the village when she started experiencing chest pains, had difficulty breathing and felt as if she was about to faint.

Daniel Lavery was visiting the meeting to talk about his Honiton-based charity when he saw Christina’s distress, administered oxygen to her and kept her calm while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

Tracey Maughan, one of the group members, said: “It was absolutely fantastic that Dan was there.

“He gave Christina oxygen and kept checking her levels. Because it was such a windy day, Dan came in his car so he had everything a first responder would have on hand.

“It was fortunate that he was our speaker for the month and it was great that he was able to help her.

“For the rural communities, having someone in the area who is trained as a first response first aider is fantastic.”

West Hill Women’s Group member Christina thanked Dan and said she cannot praise his help and professionalism enough.

She was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for tests and was told she suffered a minor heart attack.

Devon Freewheelers’ county-wide service helps the cash-strapped NHS, providing a free service, delivering emergency blood donations for transfusions, donor breast milk to newborns, medication to patients and equipment to hospitals.