Sussex Ambulance Heroes Honoured at Glam Awards Bash
Staff and volunteers from South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) were celebrated for their dedication and daring deeds at the Trust’s final annual awards ceremony of the year. The star-studded event took place at The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne on 20 October, shining a spotlight on Sussex’s finest lifesavers.
Queen’s Medals and Milestone NHS Service Awards
Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs Juliet Smith, handed out the coveted Queen’s Medals for Long Service and Good Conduct to exemplary paramedics, technicians, and team leaders. Staff hitting impressive NHS milestones of 20 and 30 years received well-earned recognition too.
- Queen’s Medal Recipients: Critical Care Paramedics Natalie Brodrick and Sloane Phillips, Practice Development Lead Daryl Devlia, and many more across Sussex.
- 20 Years NHS Service: Tracey Mitchell, Kelly Payne, Ray Savage.
- 30 Years NHS Service: Jeremy Andrews, Mark Hodsoll, Sheena Moloney, Scott Thowney and others.
Top Commendations and Outstanding Acts of Bravery
Chief Executive interim Siobhan Melia praised the winners for their “dedication and professionalism” in saving lives and supporting communities.
Highlights included:
- Chief Executive Commendations: From frontline leadership by Mark Hodsoll at Banstead Make Ready Centre, to community spirit by Tim Burgess, a volunteer who secured a unique training site for the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
- Public Commendation: PC Susannah Maynard (Sussex Police) was hailed for her compassionate handling of a difficult safeguarding case alongside ambulance crews.
- Employee of the Year: Amaraghosha Carter, the SECAmb Associate Director of IT, was recognised for upgrading systems crucial to 999 and 111 emergency services.
Heroic Teamwork Saves Trapped Motorcyclist
The Team of the Year award went to the Hazardous Area Response Team at Gatwick—paramedics Lee Warwick, Ross Butler, Stuart Lade, Dave Lovett, and Critical Care Paramedic Ben Spashett. They used quick thinking and a stretcher to rescue a trapped motorcyclist in a serious RTC and carried out a successful resuscitation on scene.
“A career in the ambulance service is challenging but extremely rewarding,” said Siobhan Melia. “These awards just scratch the surface of the incredible work our teams do every day to protect and save lives across Sussex.”
