St John thanks for saving Cambridge woman's life

Pearl Martin. Photo / File

Cambridge Badminton Club can be considered a success story in Waipa - membership is over 150 players, the club owns its own building, they recently celebrated their 50th anniversary - and they look after each other and have a strong sense of community. Those attributes came to the fore following a regular club day back in July, when a medical emergency emerged out of nowhere.

Life member Pearl Martin was playing a doubles match and feeling fine - until she bent over to pick up a shuttle.

"I had an instant loss of breath," she recalls.

Pearl was helped from the court and heard her own heart "gurgle".

"I knew I was in trouble," says Pearl.

Club members rallied quickly as Pearl started to deteriorate.

St John Ambulance was summoned as other members made Pearl comfortable, and another rushed to the nearby daycare centre where there was a defibrillator.

But even before she had returned with the device St John Ambulance staff, and a paramedic who was assisting on his day off, were on hand and delivering treatment.

Cambridge St John Area Committee chairman Venerable Malcolm French receives a donation for St John Ambulance from heart attack victim Pearl Martin (fifth from left).

Pearl says she has had a few heart scares in the past, but this was by far the worst.

But it wasn't showing up as a heart issue on initial tests, so Pearl was given oxygen and rushed to Waikato Hospital.

There it was determined she was suffering a heart attack and three weeks later Pearl underwent a double bypass.

She's back on her feet now, and back at badminton club days, but not playing until next season starts in February.

Pearl and husband Trevor have been St John Ambulance members since the 70s and she says it is a little bit to pay for tremendous peace of mind.

They are both thankful to St John for their life saving care and attention. And so is Cambridge Badminton Club for looking after one of their valued members.

Fellow life member Mary Bear, and recently retired club captain of 14 years, runs a number of tournaments and events for the club, including two or three initiation tournaments each year.

But following her friend's medical emergency, she saw fit to get members on-side for a low-key but heartfelt way to thanks St John Ambulance.

She turned one of the regular Tuesday morning club days into a fundraising tournament, and fellow life member Marlene Thornton did the same with the regular 50+ Thursday group.

An entry fee was charged and members got behind the two events. Prizes were sponsored by local businesses or donated by members and with a top up from the Martins $500 was raised and donated to St John Ambulance.

The cheque was handed over to Cambridge St John Area Committee chairman Venerable Malcolm French, Vicar of St Andrews, last Tuesday.

Pearl says there is no real way to repay St John for what they do, but the gesture was important to her and the club. And she looks forward to getting back on court.

Cambridge Badminton Club has a 10-month season, plus members can use the courts year round on a casual basis.

They run club days and nights Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for different ages groups and have an interclub team in the Waikato competition.