A 10-year-old has been honoured for her quick thinking during a family emergency.
Ali Gage, a Brownie from Wallington, has been given a Girlguiding Guiding Star award—a rare honour reserved for young members who go above and beyond.
She earned the award after raising the alarm when her aunt collapsed during a day out at Paultons Park in Hampshire.
Ali, who was just eight years old at the time, ran to a nearby restaurant and calmly told staff: "I need help. My aunt has collapsed in the playground."
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The staff immediately radioed for help, and medical assistance arrived soon after.
Ali said: "I’m really looking forward to attending Girlguiding Celebrates. I’m going to go with my mum, and it will be fun to celebrate with all the other award winners.
"I love Brownies, especially going to camp and earning badges."
Her mother, Catherine Gage, described her daughter's actions as clear, calm, and instinctive.
She said: "When Ali realised there was a real problem, she just said, ‘don’t worry mum, I’m going to go and get help.’ I was thinking, where is she going to go? She’d only just turned eight.
"She ran into a nearby restaurant and went straight up to the desk, and said, ‘I need help. My aunt has collapsed in the playground.’
"As soon as she got back, a buggy turned up with nurses holding big first aid kits and defibrillators."
Ali’s aunt recovered quickly following the incident.
Catherine, a former Brownie and Guide leader, said: "How she reacted that day came purely from her instincts and knowledge I didn’t even realise she had.
"I’m very proud of her to receive such a prestigious award although not surprised as she is a very caring girl."
Ali has also been helping care for her father Martin, who has terminal cancer.
Catherine said: "She doesn’t shy away from problems. If there was a bravery award, she’d deserve that as well."
Ali was nominated for the award by Ros Townsend, leader of 3rd Beddington Brownies.
Ros said: "We were delighted to be able to recognise how brave Ali was in getting help for her aunt.
" It is lovely to see how she has developed from a shy, quiet Brownie when she first joined us into the outgoing and confident girl that she is today."
Ali will attend Girlguiding Celebrates, a red carpet event taking place on June 6 at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square.
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