When 66-year-old Rose Meadows from Gloucester started to have trouble breathing, she didn't know if she would breath again.

But help came from Helen Ross, a Northern Irish woman living in Kent.

Ms Ross founded the not-for-profit organisation Hugs4Lungs in 2017, aiming to help children with respiratory difficulties. 

It was around 9pm last Sunday when Helen got the call from Ms. Meadows, who said she felt claustrophobic and was having great difficulty breathing.

"I was sat between four walls and I didn't see any way out."

Anxious, scared and alone in the house, Rose was unable to move herself due to a broken hip and fractured shoulder.

But Helen answered the call in good time and spoke to her to calm her down.

"I was very ill, but she was talking to me and made me feel better. She just said 'it's not as bad as you think it is' and kept me talking."

Rose has struggled with these difficulties for 20 years, and was surprised when Helen was willing to help her in distress.

"I thought it was just for children so maybe she wouldn't answer, but she did." 

Helen called the emergency services in Kent, who contacted the ambulance in Gloucester who were then able to attend to Mrs. Meadows in 15 minutes.

The Hug4Lungs Facebook page

Rose says that she's eternally grateful for Helen's helpline. 

"If it wasn't for her, I don't think I'd be here today." 

Helen says that although the charity was intended to help children with respiratory problems, she would never turn anyone else away. 

The subject is close to her heart, as Helen's son Hugo was born with life-threatening breathing difficulties.

She sensed a need for her organisation when she struggled to find helplines for parents who had children with breathing problems. 

The Hugs4Lungs helpline is open 24 hours a day.  

"It was because it didn't exist that I had to create it. Now it has helped Rose Meadows and numerous other people."