A YOUNG girl who suffered a catastrophic heart attack when she was nine years old was today (Wednesday, May 27) presented with a defibrillator and a cheque for £1,000.

Grace Merrington was in the middle of a PE lesson on Thursday, March 27, last year when she suddenly fell ill.

She was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where she remained in an induced coma for more than a fortnight.

Ian Merrington, Grace’s father, said: “The paramedics and school teachers saved Grace’s life. By the time she got to the hospital she had suffered three cardiac arrests.

“Grace had a major brain injury to deal with as well as the heart defect. The analysis this time last year was that she may never talk unless through a computer.

“I kept talking to her and telling her it would be great if she talk to me, and one day she just did. The doctors say she is a miracle.”

After news of Grace’s illness was passed onto a parent who worked at Durham Police’s HQ, the force's Criminal Justice department began fundraising to pay for a defibrillator for Grace.

However Grace’s story was also picked up by charity North East Hearts with Goals (NEHG), who donated a defibrillator meaning funds raised by the police could be passed straight to Grace.

Christine Stephenson, co-founder of NEHG, said: “We heard about Grace’s story through social media and decided straight away that we would donate a defibrillator.

“They make such a huge difference to people’s lives and the more people know about them the better.”

Grace was today given special VIP treatment as a private police escort picked her up to take her to the new HQ in Aykley Heads, Durham.

The ten-year-old was presented with her own defibrillator and a cheque for £1,000 before she was given a private tour of the site. There was even time for a meet and greet with the force’s furry helpers.

Chief Superintendent Jane Spraggon added: “As police officers we think we do our bit for the community by doing our jobs, but it’s about looking to see how we can go above and beyond.

“It’s fantastic to have Grace here today, to be able to present her with a cheque and to help her make some really special memories.”