Getting closer he could see a young mum collapsed on the ground between cars and the gutter.

Sitting next to her were her three young children, all aged under five and concerned their mum could not get up.

The woman had fallen and badly damaged her ankle and was unable to move.

Despite other people being in the vicinity no one else stopped to help so Rieley stepped in.

"I asked her if she was all right and just asked her if she needed me to call the ambulance," he said.

He then played with the three children and kept them happy until ambulance paramedics arrived on scene.

Rieley had fired off a quick text to his mum to check it was okay to help, but when she did not respond because she was at work, he swung in to action regardless.

It was only after young Rieley had stopped that other adults came over to check the woman was okay.

"He's a good kid. He just said he was happy to help anyone," mum Christine said.

The next day the proud mum told her work colleagues what Rieley had done, and later that day one of them saw a Facebook post from the woman he had helped who wanted to thank him.

After being taken to the emergency department the woman found out she had torn ligaments in her ankle and, after a long rehabilitation, was back on her feet.

Rieley kept in touch with her via Facebook during her recovery.

"He's never had to help in such a dramatic way before but he's always helping people. If someone needs something done he's always willing to help," she said.

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For his actions on that day, Rieley was nominated for a Junior Triple Zero Hero award.

"I was a bit surprised being nominated. I've never really got an award like that before."

This week Rieley was one of 12 young Victorians aged eight to 13 honoured as Triple Zero Heroes.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's the first time in 15 years that the Triple Zero Hero awards have not been presented in a ceremony at Government House.

Instead Rieley received his medal and certificate in the mail this week.

IN OTHER NEWS

The young heroes were nominated by the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) operators who took their call, for their bravery and clear thinking in emergencies.

"These young Victorians have shown incredible courage during emergencies - which have often involved their loved ones," said Victoria's Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville.

"Being able to play such a critical role in helping to save the lives of others, in the most stressful of times, is nothing short of inspirational, and I congratulate all our young heroes."

ESTA chief executive Marty Smyth said even young children could help during an emergency if they had the right skills.

"Teaching children when and how to call triple zero, including knowing their home address can save lives. We tell parents and carers that the life a child might save could be yours."

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