A first aider who gave life saving CPR to a teenager when he collapsed in the school playground has been shortlisted for a top award.

Mark Goatcher, 27, is up for workplace hero at the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes awards for his quick-thinking at the City of London Academy, Islington, where he is the school staff instructor of the combined cadet force.

In march a cadet ran to his office to ask for help after a boy, 13, had collapsed.

Mark said: “I could tell immediately he was in a bad way. I did around seven minutes of CPR before the emergency services arrived.”

Fortunately, after being in an induced coma, the pupil made a good recovery and returned to school.

Mark added: “I’ve since met him and his mother, and I must say that was a pretty special moment; quite emotional really. It brings home how absolutely vital first aid is as a life skill. All children should be taught it.”

The winner will be announced on September 28.