When Bethany Grench found her mother lying unconscious in their Mitcham home, her heart dropped.

But the 16-year-old London Fire Cadet quickly put that feeling of despair aside and jumped into action.

"I started to remember what I had learned in a first aid session during LFB’s Fire Cadets a few weeks before and it reminded what I had to do," Bethany said.

“First, I checked that she was breathing then used two fingers to tilt her head back to make sure her airways were open to allow her to keep breathing before dialling 999.

“At hospital, they told me that thanks to the first aid I gave my mum I saved her life as she could have stopped breathing.”

Her mother, Eileen Grench, said she hadn't realised how unwell she was until she woke up in the ambulance rushing to hospital.

“I thought I was just getting a cold but if it hadn’t been for Bethany saving my life I wouldn’t be here today," she said.

“I want to thank LFB Fire Cadets and the emergency services for coming to help me and reassuring Bethany that things will be okay.”

Now the 16-year-old wants to encourage others to learn first aid.

“I will never forget this day as it turned my stomach upside down as I thought I was going to lose my mum. I am thankful to LFB Fire Cadets and guides for teaching me first aid so thank you to these amazing organisations," she said.

“I am also thankful to the London Ambulance Service, who helped saving my mum’s life, and to everyone for all their support.

“What I want people to take from this story is that you never know when you will need to perform first aid but you should always learn it.”