Student Meg is a life-saver

Meg Glendinning

A QUICK-THINKING sixth-former, whose actions saved the life of a vulnerable teenage girl, says she is honoured to be nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Meg Glendinning, a student at North Chadderton School, sprung into action earlier this year when, on her way to school, she spotted a 14-year-old girl running erratically along Chadderton Hall Road.

The girl, who does not attend the school, was visibly distressed, with tears streaming down her face and threatening to throw herself into a busy main road.

Meg (17) approached the teenager and tried to calm her down before walking her to the safety of the school and getting help from a member of staff.

She said: “I feel privileged and honoured to have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

“When I saw the girl and how she was behaving, my natural instinct was to ensure she was stable, so as she got up and continued to sprint further down the road I made attempts to approach her.

“She was utterly distraught. While running, she had been scratching her arm. Blood appeared to show and she said, ‘I want to kill myself’.

“In a controlling manner, I pulled her nails away from her arm, hugged her and whispered, ‘Stop’ over her shoulder.”

After walking her to the school and speaking with adults, Meg remained with the girl, speaking to her and keeping her calm before the police arrived to take her to hospital.

Meg, who is also a prefect at the school, added: “Before she left the sixth form I asked if she was okay. She replied, ‘Yes, thanks to you, Meg — you’ve literally just saved my life’.

“After she was discharged from hospital she made an appeal on Facebook in order to find me and thank me. To this day we continue to speak and intend to meet at a later date.”

Meg, who was presented with a Young Citizen’s Award from Greater Manchester Police, was helped in her endeavours by classmates Bethany Green, Natalie Hulme, Louis Gilligan, and Nicole Hankes.

The teenager, who attended Crompton House School before moving to North Chadderton sixth-form in September, 2013, was nominated for a Pride award by her school, which believes she showed maturity when dealing with the situation.

Adelle Greenwood, assistant head teacher at North Chadderton School, said: “I would like to nominate Meg for this award due to the outstanding leadership skills demonstrated in saving another young person’s life.

“She acted quickly and calmly and with tremendous compassion.

“We are extremely proud of Meg and her actions and this shows what a wonderful role model she is for our younger learners.”