Oxford United’s head of medical services, Amy Cranston, played a crucial role in saving someone’s life on the same day the club secured their promotion. On Saturday afternoon, the U’s triumphed over Bolton Wanderers with a 2-0 victory in the Sky Bet League One play-off final at Wembley, thanks to Josh Murphy’s two goals.
This marked a historic achievement for Oxford United, who will now compete in the second tier of English football for the first time in 25 years. The team and staff had traveled to London on Friday and stayed overnight.
On Saturday morning, Cranston left the hotel for her routine run around the city. During her run, she encountered a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest. Alongside a passing doctor, she performed CPR, ultimately saving the man’s life. Reflecting on the day, Cranston told the Oxford Mail, “I always run at least 10km, and I’ve noticed we tend to win when I do, so I had to complete my 12km. We performed CPR, and he’s now alive, well, and even joking in the hospital. It’s incredible. I returned to the hotel thinking, ‘Oh my god, we have a play-off final today’. My emotions were all over the place.”
Cranston’s family, speaking outside Wembley, expressed immense pride in her. Oxford United also celebrated her heroic act on social media, posting, “Amy Cranston appreciation post. Saving lives in the morning, lifting trophies in the evening.”
Last April, Cranston ran the London Marathon to support the local children’s hospice, Helen & Douglas House. She completed the marathon in an impressive three hours and 53 minutes, surpassing her fundraising target by raising £4,100, which the club increased to £5,000. Helen & Douglas House, established in 1982 by Sister Frances Dominica, was inspired by a young girl named Helen, who suffered irreversible brain damage. The hospice provides essential care for babies and children in Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.
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