Lyme Regis Scout recognised by Chief Scout Bear Grylls

Wilfrid Clift-Shanley, known as Wilf, was quick to react when dad Seb started having a seizure.

He had learnt some first aid techniques with his scout troop just a few weeks before.

Seb called out to his son after collapsing at the family home, knocking his head and having difficulty breathing.

The then 10-year-old immediately raised the alarm, shouted for his sisters and began to put his dad in the recovery position whilst his sister rang 999.

Due to Seb having fallen in the bathroom, and Wilf unable to get the door open, the scout from 1st Lym Valley Scout Group relayed all the information to his sister who was on the phone to the ambulance service.

Once paramedics arrived, Wilf and his sisters calmly explained the situation to them.

The medal was presented to Wilfrid Clift-Shanley by John Jarvis, Deputy County Commissioner, Devon Scouts, on behalf of the Chief Scout (Image: 1st Lym Valley Scout Group)

The actions of young Wilf did not go unnoticed by the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, who wrote to him saying his story ‘sums up all that’s good about what we do – thinking of others, and being at our best’.

Woodroffe School pupil Wilf, now 11, has been awarded the Meritorious Conduct Award medal to recognise his brave actions last May.

He has also been invited to the Windsor Day of Celebration and Achievement - the Scouts' annual celebration event for Queen's Scout Award holders and King's Scout Award holders - to meet the survival expert and watch the King’s Scout Parade.

Seb, who has made a full recovery since the incident, is looking forward to joining Wilf in Windsor on what should be a special day. 

Wilf said: “Whilst I wish that my dad didn’t have a seizure, and that he didn’t end up in hospital, getting this award helps in its own way to make up for a difficult year.

“I’m really excited to be going to Windsor later this year with my family.” 

Wilf had only learned the first aid skills a few weeks before with his troop, when a local paramedic visited and helped them learn some useful techniques.

Scout Leader Karen Yelland said: “We give the scouts the skills for life they need and we hope that they put them to good use - in this case Wilf went far beyond what we could have hoped for and used his newly learnt first to stop his dad coming to harm.

”As volunteers, we couldn’t be prouder of what he did - it genuinely makes it all worthwhile” 

Both Wilf’s parents, Seb and Rowina, also said how proud they are of him, and for how he conducted himself.

They said Wilf was so surprised to receive the award as he never expected to be recognised for his actions on that day, and they look forward to celebrating Wilf’s award with the rest of group.