'If it wasn't for CPR, I wouldn't be here today'

"I found the shock of what happened to me difficult to get my head round."

In August 2023, Oxfordshire GP Dr Nick Thomas was playing his usual weekly Thursday evening game of football with friends when he suddenly collapsed.

Having had a cardiac arrest, his life was saved by three of his teammates – a policeman, a firefighter and a flight attendant - who gave CPR for 15 minutes before help arrived.

Nick has since fully recovered and is now one of 65 people in the UK chosen by the British Heart Foundation to have a red bench dedicated to them as a "living tribute".

Nick said his cardiac arrest had "made me realise that life is so precious and could be taken away at any time".

"When I see certain things, I'm aware of what I could have missed out on."

The 47-year-old, who works at Windrush Medical Practice in Witney, lives an active life in the wake of his cardiac arrest - and still plays football.

"I realise how lucky I am to still be able to enjoy being with my family, watching the boys doing things, to be able to work and provide care for my patients, to still play football, and to do all the things I enjoy," he said.

"These are things I used to take for granted - I want to live life to the full because I think 'I might never get to do this again'."

The British Heart Foundation recently unveiled Nick's bench on The Green in Milton-under-Wychwood – a location special to him and his family.

"...I think the red benches are a brilliant idea that will raise awareness of cardiovascular disease," he said.

"It feels nice to have a bench named after me - it's a great way to share the knowledge that CPR really works.

"If it wasn't for CPR and the three people who knew what to do, I wouldn't be here today."

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