A PENSIONER is searching for the two people who looked after her when she had a stroke and collapsed inside a coffee shop.

Patricia Allen, 82, from Park Street, Brighton, said she wants to personally thank the two women who comforted her.

Ms Allen had been shopping and stopped in Caffè Nero in Bond Street, Brighton, for a drink at about 10am on Saturday, February 3.

After she ordered a coffee, she suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed on the floor.

Immediately, two customers went to her aid and called the ambulance.

She said: “I remember them saying I needed ambulance and they were comforting me.

“At the time, I was so ill and dizzy.

“I was very terrified and confused because I’ve never had a stroke before. It really amazed me.

“I didn’t know what would have happened to me, it was so confusing. But I am very lucky to be alive.

“I was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and I was discharged last month.

“It was very peculiar that I had a stroke. I’ve always been healthy and fit, and I have no family history of strokes.

“It has taken me a while to get over that incident.”

Ms Allen is now recovering at her home, where she is looked after by her carer, council services and her brother.

The stroke has left her legs weak and she needs a walking aid.

She said: “There are good days and there are bad days. I am on tablets now and they have helped a lot.

“I am making a slow recovery. Sometimes I feel fuzzy in the head.

“I can’t walk very well like I used to. To be honest I consider myself lucky because I collapsed inside a shop where there were people.

“I could have collapsed in an empty street where nobody would have noticed and who knows what could happen?

“I hope the women will see this article. If they do please get in touch with me.

“I want to thank them personally for saving my life.”

A staff member at Caffè Nero, known only as Christina, recalled the incident.

She told The Argus: “I was working that day. I remember seeing two girls helping the elderly woman.

“The lady collapsed from a stroke, they called the ambulance and looked after her before ambulance arrived.

“I am relieved to know the lady is OK and I wish her good health. Unfortunately I don’t remember what the girls looked like. But hopefully they will see the news and get in touch with her.”

Are you one of the women or do you know who they are? Call the Argus newsroom on 01273 021372.