Over 500 years of service recognised at ambulance awards

More than 500 years of public service were celebrated when East of England Ambulance Service recently held a long service award ceremony at Dunston Hall, Norfolk. Five 35-year service awards were presented, along with nine 25-year service awards, six 20-year awards and two long service and good conduct medals. The total length of service in the room represented 570 years. Among those being honoured was David Thurgood, whose award celebrated 10 years of voluntary service as a Community First Responder (CFR) based in Harlow, Essex.

David, who has been a CFR for nearly 12 years, said that had always wanted to do something for his community as a volunteer, and he had Googled about becoming a Community First Responder. David, who works as a health and safety advisor in the pharmaceuticals industry, said that after training he had initially not been called on much as Community First Responders were mostly used in rural areas at that time.

However, EEAST later began deploying CFRs in a range of more urban settings, and David was contacted to attend a meeting about setting up a group for Harlow. David is now co-ordinator and trainer for the Harlow CFRs and also supports groups in Loughton and Epping. Looking back on over a decade of service to his community, David said he has enjoyed working with great CFR colleagues and with EEAST crews who have helped and supported his development as a CFR.

One recent highlight for him was meeting up with a man ten years after he had restarted his heart with a defibrillator. “I had quite an emotional meeting with him and his family, and it was great to see him up and about, enjoying life and so much better than the last time I saw him.” The event at Dunston Hall was just one of a series held around the EEAST region to recognise long service.

You can find out about volunteering opportunities with EEAST at: Volunteer with us | EEAST