A STUDENT nurse who helped save a neighbour's life has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Carmen Dussoye has been put forward for a Community Pride Award, in the Good Neighbour of the Year category.

Mrs Dussoye, 41, of Bramham Road, Acomb, has been nominated for the award by Elaine Harness, who says her neighbour helped save her husband's life.

Ralph Harness, 82, collapsed at the couple's home on April 25 this year.

Mrs Harness, 60, explained: "I followed him slowly up the stairs. Once up there his breathing became very laboured and then suddenly he got out the words 'I can't breathe' and at this point collapsed onto the bed. He started to turn blue and at this point our dog came into the room. I ran to the stairs and asked Carmen for help. She ran up and unhesitatingly went into action, accessing the situation, getting my husband into position.

"She ripped off his jacket and immediately began CPR and mouth to mouth. My husband's face and tongue was dark blue and I at this time was in a state of shock but under Carmen's calm but assertive guidance rang 999.

"Carmen continued the resuscitation until the paramedics arrived. I believed he was dying and have been told that without her immediate and professional actions he would have."

Mr Harness had gone into respiratory arrest and spent five days in hospital with pneumonia.

He says he has little recollection of what happened.

"I remember going upstairs because I wasn't feeling too good and collapsing on the bed and not being able to breathe. That's the last I remember."

He added: "I certainly would not have survived without Carmen's actions.

"There is no bounds to my gratitude."

Mrs Dussoye says it was the first time she had performed resuscitation on someone without any help.

The mother-of-two explained: "I've done resuscitation training at uni with mannequins. You see it at hospital while on placements but that is the first time I had to do it without support.

"Everything just kicked in and you do what you need to do.

"I did the same as any concerned person would have done.

"It was more upsetting for me as I know Ralph and Elaine quite well."

She added: "It's really nice to be recognised."

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden.

Nominees must live in, or contribute to life in the City of York Council area, and finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October. Entries are now closed for this year.