Mom kept an old home phone 'just in case' and taught her son to use it in an emergency — days later, he had no choice but to use it
Small kids can be surprisingly brave, stepping up as lifesavers when it matters most. Finlay, a 6-year-old from Nottinghamshire, proved it to be true with his courage after helping save his father’s life during a medical emergency at their home. The young boy, who is a student at Robert Miles Infant School in Bingham, didn't hesitate to call the emergency services when he sensed something was wrong with his dad. For Finlay, help arrived right on time. His mother, Elaine, just days before, decided to keep their old home phone specifically so Finlay could learn how to use it in an emergency, as reported by the BBC on Tuesday, January 7, 2026. Guess what? Her decision turned out to be a lifesaver for her husband.
Elaine said, “I was looking into getting the home phone disconnected due to no longer needing it. Instead, I decided to teach Finlay how to use it in case of an emergency." She shared that days later, her husband collapsed when she was out. She received a call from her son, telling her, “Daddy wasn’t well.” She could hear her husband, unable to breathe, as Finlay told her that "he was on the floor." Elaine immediately contacted emergency services and explained the situation. "I told Finlay that I would ring an ambulance. When speaking to 999 (the UK equivalent of the US’s 911), they took our home phone number and spoke to Finlay," she said. Despite his young age, Finlay followed instructions and continued to help. "He also let in a friend, who had come to help, and met the ambulance staff at the door," Elaine added.
When Elaine returned home, she realized just how critical the situation had been. Phil received immediate medical attention before being taken to the hospital. “When I arrived home, I found out that Phil was that poorly he had needed compressions. Finlay kept calm and brave throughout. He is a superstar,” the mother revealed. The incident happened in October, and since then, it has been recognized by Finlay’s school. He was also given the opportunity to share with his classmates how he helped his dad. The school staff awarded him a certificate of honor for his bravery.
Following the incident, kids at Robert Miles Infant School have taken part in lessons and assemblies focused on what to do during emergencies and how to seek help. Assistant head teacher Rosie Pilborough remarked, “We have been teaching our pupils what to do in an emergency as it's so important, even at a very young age.” She praised Finlay’s actions and said, “Finlay was able to keep so calm in such a tense and difficult situation, and that's remarkable for someone so young. Everyone at the school is so proud of Finlay. He is such a hero."