BRAVE Ben Quigley risked his life to help rescue a disabled woman who was stranded at sea.
Now the Netherton student could be set for a meeting with the prime minister after he was nominated for a top award.
The 20-year-old, who goes to Oxford University, and has boxed for his college, Wadham, is one of the regional finalists in the annual Vodafone Life Savers Awards.
It comes after he played a key role in the rescue of a 48-year-old woman who could not swim.
He was with four fellow biology students on a field trip on the Pembrokeshire coast when they heard cries for help.
Ben’s mum Irena, who nominated him for the award, said: “The lady’s carer was calling for help.
“She was about 100 metres out to sea and was struggling.
“Ben was the first to run into the water. The others joined him to bring her back to shore.
“He kept quiet about it at first and didn’t tell me.
“Then he said it was just something he had to do, he couldn’t just have left her.
“They didn’t think about themselves. I think they deserve recognition for it.”
Ben and the four other students – Jess Campbell, Jack Dumenil, Sarah Marks and Rosalin Smith – will go before a regional judging panel.
Two winners from Yorkshire and Humberside will go into the national final.
The overall winner will be invited to meet Gordon Brown to be presented with their award.
Julien Cozens, of Vodafone, said: “Modesty is a very British trait and anyone who has shown extreme courage should be recognised. “We want to make sure that acts of bravery such as that displayed by Ben, Jess, Jack, Sarah and Rosalin do not go unnoticed.”
