A DETERMINED mum, whose 26-year-old son died in his sleep, has won an award for her work helping to save lives in Middlewich.

Linda Boden, of Dean Street, won a special accolade at the National Lifesaver Defibrillator Awards in London.

The 54-year-old’s son Andrew Cliffe died suddenly on November 12, 2006, of Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS).

Since then she has campaigned tirelessly to raise £7,500 for five life-saving defibrillators in the town.

But on the night, Linda thought she was just going to a conference about cardiac arrest and her supporters had to hide posters of her to keep the award a surprise.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked,” said Linda, who works at Tesco Express in Middlewich.

“I thought I was just going to support the charity, SADS UK, I couldn’t believe it.”

Professor Douglas Chamberlain, a world expert in cardiology, presented Linda with her certificate in front of more than 50 people.

She added: “He’s 80 years old and people still flock to his lectures. It was very inspiring.

“It was like meeting Florence Nightingale – that’s how important he is in his field.

“I told him it was an honour to shake his hand, but he said to me: ‘After what you’ve been through, the honour is all mine’.

“There were tears in his eyes and in mine and I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.”

Usually, the awards ceremony is reserved for people who have saved lives with defibrillators.

But event organisers recognised the outstanding contribution Linda has made to her town after a tragedy.

She told the Guardian: “They knew I wouldn’t be happy unless the people of Middlewich were recognised.

“It’s their award as much as mine as far as I’m concerned. On the day, I made such good contacts and came back with more ideas.

“What these award-winners have done is fantastic. They’re ordinary members of the public who have saved somebody’s life.

“I’m doing my job providing defibrillators and they’re doing their job using them.”

Anne Jolly, founder of SADS UK, added: “Linda has worked tirelessly to help others since the premature sudden death of her son Andrew and she is keen to do this work in Andrew’s memory.”Since the event, Linda has been busy showing off her award and now only £200 off her target to buy another defibrillator for the Vaults bar in Wheelock Street.

She said: “I know Andrew’s there watching over me, that’s what keeps me going.”