LIFESAVER Russell Piper, who gave vital CPR to a colleague on a building site, has won a national award for his selfless actions.

Mr Piper, of Emden Road, Andover, was crowned “workplace hero” at the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes awards last Wednesday.

The 54-year-old is a project manager for office design and build company Morgan Lovell. He was working on a construction site in Ealing in February 2014 when his colleague Stephen Headley had a cardiac arrest.

Having been an official first aider for his firm for 15 years, Mr Piper knew exactly what to do.

He dialled 999 and talked to ambulance control, with his mobile phone on loudspeaker, while administering CPR.

After several minutes of providing rescue breaths and chest compressions, another first aider who was elsewhere in the building at the time heard Mr Piper’s cries for help.

The two men took turns in giving rounds of CPR for 15 minutes before paramedics arrived with an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Mr Headley survived but suffered brain damage and was unable to walk or talk for a long time afterwards. The incident happened more than two years ago but he has only recently recovered sufficiently to put Mr Piper’s name forward for an Everyday Hero award.

Not only did he save his colleague’s life, but Mr Piper also visited him in hospital, provided support for his partner in the difficult weeks after the incident and arranged transport home for him.

As a direct result of his actions, his company now offers AED training to staff and has made defibrillators available to site teams.

Mr Piper said: “I feel extremely proud to be recognised in this way, particularly after hearing the other inspirational stories at the awards ceremony.

“It really brings home how important it is to learn first aid and I’ll continue to go out of my way to encourage more people to learn these skills. It was also wonderful to have Stephen there at the ceremony.

He’s looking really well and has made a huge amount of progress in the last year.”

Mr Headley added: “I’m over the moon Russell has won this award and I had a tear in my eye when he took to the stage to accept it. He has done so much for me – I can’t thank him enough. He’s an amazing man; without him I wouldn’t be here today.”

Russell was among 11 winners recognised at the event, which was hosted by presenter and musician Myleene Klass.

Sue Killen, CEO at the nation’s leading first aid charity, said: “It’s right that we take the time to recognise these truly remarkable people on a national stage as their stories really show the difference first aid can make. They are an inspiration and should all be incredibly proud of their achievements.

“I’d urge everyone to download the St John Ambulance app, go to our website, or find us on social media – first aid is so easy to learn and it could help you save a life.”