Alistair Harper (second from left), who is standing for election in the Highbury ward, with the Labour canvassing team including Kate O’Rourke (second from right)

CANVASSERS may now get credit for more than sorting out your recycling, after one volunteer has been praised for “saving the life” of a potential constituent.

Alistair Harper, who is standing for Labour in the Highbury ward, has been credited for helping an elderly woman get to hospital after he found her lying on the floor of her home.

During a canvassing session on Friday, the neighbour in Melgund Road

did not answer the door.

But when Mr Harper went to post some election material through the letterbox, he heard cries for help and looked into the home to find the woman – who did not want to be named – lying at the bottom of the stairs.

Kate O’Rourke, who was also at the scene of the incident, said: “It was shocking, horrifying. She’d apparently been there for two days. Alistair immediately called 999, and the ambulance came within 10 minutes, and the fire brigade within 15.”

“It’s the most dramatic thing I’ve ever seen whilst canvassing,” Ms O’Rourke added. “If she does survive, it is because Alistair bothered to look through the letterbox. We’ve been telling people that the benefit of canvassing is that it might just save your life!”

Mr Harper, who has been knocking on doors in an effort to unseat the Greens, said he felt “really fortunate” to have been able to help.

He told the Tribune: “I was amazed by the speed of response from our fantastic emergency services. They were on site in 15 minutes and even opened the door without damaging the locks.”

The Highbury candidate added: “We have an incredible community across Highbury where we look out for and support one another. It makes a difference when we all knock and have a conversation with our neighbours. Sometimes it’s as simple as being able to report a vulnerable elder person’s broken intercom or talking them through how they can save money on energy bills, but sometimes you’re able to help with an emergency like this.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 3.37pm on Friday 16 January to reports of an incident on Melgund Road, Islington. We sent an ambulance crew and a paramedic in a fast response car to the scene. We treated a patient before taking them to hospital.”