Staffordshire Paramedic, Ray Edensor has been presented with a Queens Ambulance Service Medal at Buckingham Palace.
Ray received the honour on Tuesday 21st May and is just one of a handful of people to have been awarded with this prestigious medal within the whole of Great Britain.
The Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal for Distinguished Service was introduced on 11th July 2011, with the first of the awards being given in the 2012 Birthday honours list. The award ensures that the dedication of ambulance staff has the same level of Royal recognition as other members of the emergency services.
Those recommended for the Medal will have usually have completed at least 10 years good conduct and exemplary service, and will have shown distinguished or commendable service.
Ray was nominated by a number of people within the community. His citation read: ‘Known as the ‘running paramedic’, Raymond has helped raise in excess of £250,000 for the Dreams Come True Charity who supports terminally ill children. He has twice run from Stafford to London followed by the London Marathon dressed in full decontamination equipment which he wore for 24 hours.
‘The efforts made by Raymond and the selfless and professional way that he goes about his personal and work life were recognised when he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship by the Staffordshire Rotary Club. He has an extremely caring approach to his profession and is an excellent ambassador of West Midlands Ambulance Service.’
Ray, who has served in a number of roles within the ambulance service over the last 30 years said: “I feel very honoured to receive this award. In my service I have seen some heart-warming incidents as well as many heart-breaking tragedies.
Members of the ambulance service are there for patients every day of the year, so I’d like to dedicate this award to all those who have been there to help those in need at the most critical moments within their lives. This award is also in honour of all those good friends that I have worked with who are no longer with us.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “I’d like to express my congratulations to Ray on this prestigious award. It is excellent that a member of our service has been credited with such a high accolade. This demonstrates the dedication and professionalism held amongst staff within our organisation, who strive to provide the highest standards of healthcare, right across the region.”
