Back in March, tributes were paid to two members of the Lodge of St Paul No. 6516 in Kettering who carried out life-saving actions when Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Michael Branch suffered a cardiac arrest and needed emergency medical attention.
Fortunately, fellow St Paul Lodge members Martin Peel and Red Litchfield stepped forward with the skills to administer CPR. Using a defibrillator and with the help of others, they were able to stabilize Michael until the emergency services arrived. Michael then received specialist cardiac treatment at Kettering General Hospital and, after a few weeks, was able to return to his home to be with his wife Christine and family.
It was therefore a poignant event when Michael was able to return for the first time and attend the March St Paul meeting. With Provincial Grand Master Mark Constant present, Martin and Red were called to the floor to be joined by Michael.
In a moving speech, the Provincial Grand Master acknowledged the heroic and life-saving interventions they made and presented Martin and Red with Certificates of Commendation, a recognition not often awarded in the Province. His voice filled with gratitude and emotion, Martin branded the two as heroes and thanked them for their quick-thinking actions.
Their heroic deeds were further recognized when Mark Titterton, who had recommended they be rewarded for their actions, presented the pair with certificates from the Royal Humane Society. It was a fabulous evening that those present will not soon forget.
