Mum of teenage cardiac arrest survivor to give reading at London Ambulance Charity’s carol service

The mother of a teenage cardiac arrest survivor and one of the stars of the BBC One documentary series Ambulance will be among the readers at London Ambulance Charity’s first-ever carol service next week.

Together in Song will take place on Tuesday 16 December at St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street.

With just one week to go, the charity has announced that Kez Ogbulafor  — a paramedic well known to viewers of the BBC’s Ambulance — will give one of the readings during the evening of candlelight and carols.

Story of survival

Donna Rosenwould will also speak at the service. Earlier this year, Donna watched as her 17-year-old son Ollie collapsed in cardiac arrest at their family home.

She said: “He would not be here today with such a bright future if it wasn’t for the paramedics at London Ambulance Service.

“They saved his life. I keep replaying it in my head but thank God the ambulance crews were there.”

Following his recovery, Ollie invited paramedics from London Ambulance Service to train his schoolmates in basic life-saving skills like CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

Backing Heart Starters Campaign

And the whole family is backing the Heart Starters Campaign, which aims to place more defibrillators in communities across London.

Through fundraising events like the carol service, the charity is hoping to improve cardiac arrest survival rates in London.

Sadly fewer than one in 10 people survive a cardiac arrest.

Second chance of life

Jessica Burgess, Head of the London Ambulance Charity, said: “We are asking for your help so we can help others.

“There’s just one week to go until the charity’s first ever carol service and we want you to join us!

“As Christmas is the season for kindness, what could be more special than knowing your support could be giving someone the chance of life?”

Ticket sales will also go towards wellbeing initiatives for London Ambulance Service crews and call handlers. They are under intense pressure, with 999 calls rising.

This event is kindly sponsored by TORTUS, meaning every penny raised will go to the London Ambulance Charity.

📅 Event Details

🎵 Together in Song – A Christmas Carol Service
📍 St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London
🗓️ Tuesday, 16 December
🕕 6:30 PM, doors and refreshments from 6pm
🎟️ Tickets: Places limited so book here now