August 23, 2006

Tomorrow, Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff will meet Godfrey Wignarajah, an 11-year old boy who called 9-1-1 on the evening of July 10. Godfrey made heroic efforts to perform CPR on his grandfather, Benjamin James Wignarajah, who passed away later that evening.

Toronto EMS staff have nominated Godfrey for a Toronto EMS Citizen’s Award for his extraordinary composure under pressure. He knew exactly what to do, and what information the emergency responders needed to try and save his grandfather. He remained calm, listened carefully to the instructions of the Emergency Medical Dispatcher and performed CPR for his grandfather. Godfrey’s actions are an excellent example to young people of what to do in an emergency.

Godfrey will tour EMS headquarters and the Central Ambulance Communications Centre, and will be shown ambulance equipment. Following the tour, he will be presented with a certificate.

Date: Thursday, August 24
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Toronto Emergency Services headquarters, 4330 Dufferin St. (access via Lodestar Rd., off Steeprock Dr.)

Godrey and his family have agreed to invite the media to this reunion as a way of educating the community on the need for young people to know about the 9-1-1 system and to encourage everyone to learn CPR.

Mr. Benjamin James Wignarajah was a well-known figure in the Toronto Tamil community, as the late chairman of The Ceylon Times, which is published by Godfrey’s father Harold (Roy).

Media contact:

Larry Roberts
Co-ordinator
Toronto EMS Media Relations and Communications
(office) 416-392-2255
(cell) 416-708-8125