Last Thursday (17 September), London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Jason Killens KAM attended a poignant memorial service to remember members of the ambulance community who are no longer with us.
Jason was among the guests at the National Ambulance Memorial Service, hosted by The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC). The event, now in its 13th year, took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
London Ambulance Service Chief Executive Jason Killens KAM said:
“This service is about remembering the incredible people the ambulance community has lost over the past year. The work our peers do every day is extraordinary, and it is always extremely difficult when we have to say goodbye to colleagues and friends.
“Every day, we are on the frontline caring for people across the UK, but the public do not see the huge effort that goes into ensuring an ambulance is there when they need it. This service is about honouring the call handlers, operational staff, make-ready teams, clinicians, volunteers and corporate teams who keep our ambulance services running.
“The wreath I laid is in honour of everyone we have lost at London Ambulance Service. You will never be forgotten.”
TASC created the event to honour, remember and thank members of the UK ambulance community who have lost their lives while serving. It is now one of the most significant events in the UK ambulance calendar, bringing together serving and retired staff, families, friends, ambulance trusts and organisations from across the community.
The annual service was the brainchild of former Chief Ambulance Officer Norman Lakin, who lost a colleague in the 1970s. To mark the inaugural event in 2004, the Ambulance Memorial Garden was opened in Alrewas, Staffordshire.
