Published: November 18, 2008
In photos: Burnham-On-Sea ambulance staff praised for long service

Three members of staff at Burnham-On-Sea ambulance station have been presented with long service awards this week after several decades of hard work.

South Western Ambulance Service's chairman Heather Strawbridge handed over the awards to Martin Robinson, Noel Young and Julie Williams during a special ceremony in Illminster.

To qualify for the accolades, employees must have given at least 20 years' service. During the ceremony, several patients were also able to relay their own personal experiences of the invaluable treatment they have received.

Trust chief executive Ken Wenman, said: "There are so many crews who work above and beyond the call of duty in our ongoing quest to save lives. I am proud to work with such a group of dedicated and committed people, who often face difficult, challenging and harrowing situations whilst caring for patients."

Julie Williams, pictured right, is a Control Assistant based at Taunton who lives in Burnham and has been with the service for almost 21 years.

Julie is married with two daughters – her brother is a paramedic and her father used to be an ambulance officer. She says her most memorable moment was being one of the first female control officers in the control room when it was based in Taunton.

Martin Robinson (pictured at the top of this page) is a Clinical Support Officer based at Burnham-On-Sea who works in the town and lives in Wedmore. He has been with the service for 21 years.

Noel Young, pictured below, is a paramedic living and working in Burnham. He has been with the service for 22 years.

Trust chief executive Ken Wenman added: "All the awards, without exception, are extremely well deserved and I would like to express my thanks, gratitude and appreciation to all those who make our service so successful. Thank you and well done."