Royal medals for dedicated ambulance workers
NEASAmbulance workers have been celebrated for their "professionalism, commitment and humanity" with royal honours.
Medals and bars were awarded to 10 staff at the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) on behalf of the King for their "exceptional commitment" for completing 20, 30 and 40 years in emergency care.
Among those honoured was head of operations Andrea Raine, who in 20 years working on Teesside, said she had seen some of the biggest "challenges for socio-economic deprivation" and wanted to "improve the figures".
Meanwhile paramedic Mark Hodgson, who joined the service in Blaydon in 1985 said it had "meant a great deal" receiving the long-service medal and bar for his 40 years.
Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Lucy Winskill presented the awards at the annual ceremony at the Grand Hotel Gosforth Park on Monday.
"We've all had friends and family members who have been cared for by one of these amazing people," she said.
"Behind each person is a story of dedication, commitment and care."
Julie Horner, who is an emergency operations centre delivery manager in Newcastle, said her 20 and 30-year medals made her feel "proud of my service".
NEASOne of Horner's career highlights included managing the medical cover for the Great North Run for the first time, which she described as "hard but rewarding".
She said she had seen an increase in female leadership during her service, adding that NEAS staff were "the nicest people in the world".
Advanced practitioner David Graham, who lives in Sunderland, said "blood, sweat and tears" had gone into his 30-year medal.
Graham joined NEAS in 1989 at Pallion station and works in Ryhope.
"There is no better feeling than leaving a patient with a thank you, knowing you have made a tiny difference to their situation at that time," he added.
NEASMeanwhile, Hodgson was awarded with a medal and a bar and said "it means a great deal as I've worked my entire life, just about for the ambulance service".
NEAS said during 40 years, his career had taken him to stations including Washington, Gateshead, Sunderland, Wallsend, Cramlington and Blyth.
Among his favourite deployments was "being entrusted to lead a team of six at the Dunhill Cup in St Andrews in the 1990s," he said.
NEASOne of Andrea Raine's treasured memories was meeting a patient who made a full recovery following a cardiac arrest.
"I can't imagine working elsewhere, the 'green family' is a special relationship, which I don't think you can get elsewhere," she said.
