You're my hero

Callum Jenner, eight, from Shelby Road in Durrington, was presented with a framed commendation for bravery in front of more than 200 fellow pupils at St Mary's Primary School in Cobden Road, Worthing.

The award recognised his courage and initiative in saving the life of his 99-year-old neighbour, Leslie Kennerley.

Callum was playing with friends in a Shelby Road playground on March 13 when he heard an alarm and saw smoke billowing from Mr Kennerley's home.

The youngster ran to the ground floor flat and banged on the door. After getting no response, Callum forced the door open and found Mr Kennerley sitting in a chair with his hands over his mouth, unable to move.

The smoke was caused by a burning toaster, which Callum quickly turned off. He then placed a wet tea-towel over the toaster to prevent it catching fire, then returned to Mr Kennerley to make sure he was well.

After checking Mr Kennerley again, Callum opened doors and windows to clear the smoke before calmly returning home.

St Mary's headmaster Gordon Schofield said how proud he was of Callum, for both his bravery and his modesty.

The school had only been notified of what happened through Callum's mother, Anna. Callum himself had not told anybody of his heroic actions.

The award was presented to Callum by Worthing's district fire commander Roy Barraclough, who said: "He's a little star, isn't he? We wouldn't advise children to

go into a house with smoke coming out but, on this occasion, there's a happy ending and he's the hero of the day."

Callum said he was "shocked" by the attention and revealed that his quick thinking came from watching the television programme Casualty every week.

He said: "I feel happy. Our teacher was happy and said there's a hero in the class."

Callum was then given a first-class trip in a fire engine to

be re-united with Mr Kennerley at the elderly man's home. Mr Kennerley said: "I thought the place was on fire. I was choking. I thought I was going to die.

"I was breathing it all in and going funny, then he's come in and saved my life. Everyone should be told about the initiative he had to come in and save me."

Callum's mother said that her son's brave actions didn't surprise her.

Anna said: "He always looks out for the old people in the street. It doesn't surprise me. He's a sensible lad. I'm really proud of him. He's my little hero."

And Mr Kennerley may not be the last person to owe his life to this courageous boy; Callum says he now wants to be a fireman when he grows up.