Gosport Asda driver in remission from cancer praised after helping save customer

Philip Colley was out delivering for Asda in Lee-on-the-Solent when a customer began to feel unwell and complained that she could not see.

The 63-year-old said: ‘I was delivering an order and the lady said she couldn’t see and didn’t feel well.

‘I have had some first aid training and her husband seemed in shock so I got her to sit down and told the husband to phone an ambulance as I was concerned she was going to have a seizure.

‘The ambulance staff came and helped her and I hear she is doing well now.’

Philip, who lives in Southsea, has spent his life travelling around the world to places including Budapest and Germany.

He was working as a restaurant manager in New York for a few years before he was diagnosed with cancer and yearned for a less hectic life for his recovery.

Philip, who was previously married, said: ‘To keep me healthy I needed a less stressful job so I thought it was time to move away from New York.

‘I came to visit Brighton as I had heard good things but it didn’t meet my expectations. I visited Southsea and fell in love with it.

‘It has been lovely living here and it may be the place that I stay. I love travelling and during the pandemic it was hard to stay in the same place as I usually travel to different countries every couple of weeks but Southsea has been a great place to be.’

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Philip has since been praised for his actions in helping his unwell customer.

Asda Gosport general store manager, Stuart Andrews said: ‘Philip is a great member of the home shopping team and is definitely a favourite with our customers.

‘We couldn’t be more proud of how he reacted to help our customers during their time of need. He always goes above a beyond.’

Philip added: ‘It is humbling to be recognised and get praise. It has been very busy delivering time during the pandemic but people have been so lovely.’

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