Life saver: Allison Mcpherson with daughters Carmen and Caterina and paramedics at the presentation.
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Carmen Mcpherson has been honoured with a Star Award by Ambulance NSW for her courage while caring for her unconscious mother.
Mum Allison lapsed into a diabetic coma last October.
She has lived with type-one diabetes for 38 years and was home alone with Carmen and her five-year-old sister, Caterina.
Carmen reluctantly left her mother's side and ran with her little sister down the street seeking help.
Once paramedics arrived, it took almost an hour for Ms Mcpherson to regain consciousness.
When she did, she was told it was Carmen's detailed description of what had transpired, and her thorough knowledge of her mother's medical history that assisted with her treatment.
"I was so incoherent I can't even recall what happened, but I do know that Carmen saved me. She got me the help I needed: she is my hero," Ms Mcpherson said.
"Carmen is still very humbled by the experience. I am so very proud of her, she was very courageous.
"I thank God for both Carmen and Caterina every day, and I say an extra special prayer for the ambulance service, thanking them with all my heart."
The Hoxton Park family attended the award presentation at the Good Shepherd Primary School last Monday.
Carmen accepted her award in front of her family, teachers and her peers.
"I was so scared when it all happened, I didn't want to leave her," she said of last October.
"I stayed with mum for 30 minutes trying to wake her. I was so afraid that if I left her something would happen; but if I didn't get her help she could die.
"I want to thank the wonderful paramedics for helping to save our mummy."