9-year-old Warnham girl who saved sister’s life awarded Gold Blue Peter badge

A nine-year-old girl from Warnham who saved her sister’s life while on holiday in Portugal last year has received a Gold Blue Peter badge.
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The the rare award – which is the highest you can receive in the Blue Peter family – was given to Poppy Nathalie after she pulled then 12-year-old Ruby to safety after she had an epiletic seizure while in the pool.

The Warnham CE Primary School pupil was just eight-years-old at the time of the incident in August 2019.

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Mum Jackie Nathalie said: “We had just arrived by the pool area, my daughters love the water and couldn’t wait to jump in.

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“They both were having fun on their lilos while I was laying the towels out on the sun loungers. My husband was in the hotel room.

“I heard Poppy calling Ruby’s name repeatedly. Ruby, who has epilepsy, was having a seizure in the pool. Poppy responded immediately.

“She sadly watched her sister sink under the water, Poppy pulled her sister up to the surface and brought her to the side where I was able to pull her out of the water. I am in no doubt that Poppy’s quick reaction saved her sisters life.”

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Poppy shared her story with her classmates earlier this year during a wellbeing week, and it was then that fellow pupil Annabel Paskett suggested she should apply for the badge.

Sisters Poppy and Ruby Nathalie from Warnham SUS-201021-083626001Sisters Poppy and Ruby Nathalie from Warnham SUS-201021-083626001
Sisters Poppy and Ruby Nathalie from Warnham SUS-201021-083626001

Year four teacher, Emma Chandler, said: “During that week, the class took part in a variety of activities to promote social, mental and physical health. One of these activities was a first aid session based around CPR. Whilst teaching the class, they didn’t really believe that, at their age, they could save a life. This is where Poppy put her hand up and shared her story.

“Once Poppy had finished telling her story, the class applauded and Annabel stated that Poppy could get the gold Blue Peter badge. Annabel went on to suggest that ‘saving a life’ was one of the criteria for applying for this type of badge.”

After asking Poppy if she would be interested in applying, a small group of pupils in support of Poppy helped Emma research the application process.

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“We discovered that usually you had to have at least one other Blue Peter badge before you could apply for the gold badge,” said Emma.“I told the children not to worry and that if they left it with me, I would see what I could do.

Warnham CE Primary School teacher Emma Chandler with pupils Eliza Edwards, Poppy Nathalie and Annabel Paskett SUS-201021-083533001Warnham CE Primary School teacher Emma Chandler with pupils Eliza Edwards, Poppy Nathalie and Annabel Paskett SUS-201021-083533001
Warnham CE Primary School teacher Emma Chandler with pupils Eliza Edwards, Poppy Nathalie and Annabel Paskett SUS-201021-083533001

“I came back from lunch to find a handwritten application from Poppy and her friend and classmate, Eliza Edwards. This really touched me, and I was so proud of the girls for taking the initiative to get the process started.”

Emma then typed up what the girls had written with a note explaining how the application had come about, and emphasised that although Poppy didn’t already have a Blue Peter badge, she felt what she had done was exemplary, especially given her age, and asked for them to make an exception.

She posted the letter in February and hoped for the best, but hopes were beginning to fade by the time September rolled around.

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Emma said: “I had assumed the letter had been lost or we had been unsuccessful.

Poppy Nathalie's Gold Blue Peter badge SUS-201021-095448001Poppy Nathalie's Gold Blue Peter badge SUS-201021-095448001
Poppy Nathalie's Gold Blue Peter badge SUS-201021-095448001

“Then to my surprise, a teaching assistant from our school popped to my classroom door and asked if I wanted to see Poppy about her Blue Peter badge. Of course, I said yes, and Poppy came straight round. Poppy came in and showed me the little box, bursting with anticipation I couldn’t wait to see it.

“The joy on Poppy’s face when she opened the box to show me the Gold Blue Peter badge was amazing; I think I squealed and leapt up and down. I couldn’t hug her, so I gave her an ‘air hug’.

“I am so immensely proud of Poppy and she deserves her gold Blue Peter badge. She is one amazing young lady and extremely modest about the whole event.

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“What I admire most about the whole process, is how her entire class stood behind her and wanted so much for her to get the badge. They have been elated and overjoyed that Poppy has received the badge. This is a team event and Poppy is the shining star!

“As a teacher, this experience will be something I will treasure forever. This is a once in a lifetime experience, that teachers dream of getting the opportunity to be involved in when the embark on their career.”

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