Layla, a 14-year-old girl from Birmingham, has become a national sensation. On July 1, those same instincts and courageous acts saved a woman’s life when she was riding a city bus. On her way home from a friend’s birthday party, Layla witnessed a young woman go into a life-threatening epileptic seizure. The crisis deepened when the woman went into respiratory arrest. In that critical moment, she stepped up to perform CPR under the guidance of a 999 call handler, ultimately reviving the 22-year-old woman and stabilizing her condition until paramedics arrived.
Layla’s heroic demonstration is what has made the headlines. In recognition of her courage, she has received a nomination for the Outstanding Citizen Awards. On 6th October, the Brasshouse Community Centre in Smethwick will be holding an awards ceremony. We hope this event will honor her courage and commitment to improving the community she served.
As you may know, for the past several Layla has been fighting for her community, advocating for issues impacting young people. She is now an activist campaigning against knife crime. She advocates for youth safety through Birmingham Says No CIC, a community interest company started by her mother in 2019. This initiative aims to provide young people with the resources and support they need to live safely and positively within their neighborhoods.
Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, praised Layla’s actions, stating, “What she did on that bus was nothing short of heroic.” He further emphasized her character by declaring her embodiment of “the very best of our young people – courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to helping others.”
Layla’s story serves as an inspiration to her peers and to adults who may underestimate the capabilities of young citizens. Her great example of civic engagement proves that you don’t have to be a certain age to make an impact.
