Excellence in the Community Awards – Herefordshire and Worcestershire
by Chris Kowalik, Press Officer for West Midland Ambulance Service.
An awards ceremony has been held to honour members of the public from across the West Midlands region who have gone beyond the call of duty to help save lives and support the work of West Midlands Ambulance Service’s 4,000 staff. The event, sponsored by Cardiac Science and Mills & Reeve, at The International Centre in Telford on Tuesday 20thNovember recognised the efforts of volunteer car drivers, St. John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation, Community First Responders and other voluntary organisations and businesses.
Addressing the audience, West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive Anthony Marsh said: “Tonight is an opportunity to stand back and reflect on the excellent work that you do and to say ‘thank-you’. Very often we don’t say thank-you enough. I’d like to say how very proud I am of all of you; all of our volunteers, all of our staff regardless of the role you fulfill. Be assured of my continued support.”
One of the awards was presented by Chief Executive Anthony Marsh to Loraine Coleman for her tireless work in the community and with schools.
Community Training and Defibrillator Award: Loraine Coleman, Herefordshire Heartstart.
Loraine Coleman is the Co-ordinator for the Hereford Heartstart project and works tirelessly to provide training to all local communities and schools across the County. I am delighted to report that nearly all schools within Herefordshire now come under the Heartstart scheme banner thanks to Loraine’s fantastic hard work.