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A quick thinking six-year-old saved her dad’s life when he was struck down by a stroke aged just 32.

Maisie Donoghue, from Wallasey was praised by doctors for leaping into action when her dad had a stroke while gardening at their home in Wallasey on Sunday.

After her dad began to show signs of illness - including a drooping on one side of his face and being unable to move one of his arms - Maisie took his phone and dialled for her nan to help.

Her mum Hannah told the ECHO how her daughter’s actions were praised by nurses and doctors treating Andy as “having saved his life”.

She said: “[Andy] was at home with Maisie and he was doing the gardening but he started to feel funny, so he came inside and he couldn’t move one of his arms.

“He managed to unlock the phone with the hand that he could use and he gave it to Maisie who called her nan who lives two minutes away and told her about her dad not being well.

“She called an ambulance and within half an hour he was on his way to hospital.”

Experts treating the dad-of-three explained to Hannah that it is important anyone having a stroke is seen by doctors within an hour in order to limit the negative effects.

Maisie’s swift actions got her dad to hospital within the hour.

Hannah added: “The kids were allowed to visit Andy in a family room, so that it was more normal for them than being in a ward.

“When Maisie walked in, one of the resus nurses shook her hand and said ‘you saved your dad’s life’ and I just broke down, it really brought it home.”

As strokes are unusual in people as young as Andy, doctors are still completing tests to find the cause - but his recovery is coming along well.

Hannah said: “Because he was seen to within the hour it gives him a much better chance at recovery. He’s able to move his arm, and his reflexes are OK because he raised his arm when he sneezed.

“He is getting quite frustrated with his speech and language therapy and he has been in tears because he can’t express what he wants to say but he is making progress.”

Although Maisie has been showered with praise, Hannah says she’s remained humble.

She added: “Hannah got given a head teacher’s award at school and had to stand up in an assembly to get it, but she’s quickly gone back to being a normal six-year-old girl.

“I don’t think she realises how amazing what she has done is. The fact she was even able to use the phone to dial her nan - and realising that her name would be stored as ‘mum’ because it’s in her dad’s phone - amazed me.

“I can’t stop hugging and kissing her but she brushes it off, she doesn’t like too much of a fuss.

“She knows her dad is safe now and he’s getting the treatment he needs in hospital. Her older brother Aaron has asked a few more questions because he’s 10, but the staff at the hospital have been great.”

Maisie’s dad is now recovering in hospital where he is undergoing tests to determine the cause of the stroke- but due to his young age Hannah says she wants to raise awareness that the attacks can strike at any age.

Hannah said: “He’s 32 and he’s fit and healthy, the other people on his ward are all in their 70s but it just goes to show everyone needs to be aware of it and it can happen to anyone.”

A post praising Maisie for her actions has received over 1,500 likes on Facebook in less than four hours - with hundreds of commenters hailing her a hero.