THE work of ambulance service volunteers has been praised and described as “nothing short of fantastic” at an awards ceremony in Worcestershire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service’s volunteers awards recognised the thousands of people across the region who give their time to help as Midlands Air Ambulance fund-raisers, voluntary car drivers, members of St John Ambulance, Severn Area Rescue Association, community first responders and 4x4 drivers.

People who have helped recruit members as part of the service’s plans to become an NHS Trust were also praised, but a number of people were given special recognition for the work they had done over the year, including community first responders Peter Binney of Worcester and Inkberrow’s Heather Smith and Max Gilkes, who were all given distinguished service awards.

Lynne Beckett, of Stourport, was singled out for recognition.

She won the Midlands Air Ambulance volunteer of the year award after managing to double her target by selling items donated to the charity on internet auction site eBay.

West Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive Anthony Marsh praised the work of all the volunteers.

“The work that you do is nothing short of fantastic,” he said.

“The lives that you save are numerous, whether you’re responding to patients, responding to 999 calls and using your lifesaving skills on a regular basis, or whether you are raising money for community first responders or indeed for the helicopters.

“We wouldn’t be as successful as we are now if it wasn’t for all of you and all of the colleagues and volunteers who support you on a daily basis.

“I want to say a really big personal thank you to all of you.”

His sentiments were echoed by Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier, who was at the ceremony, when he said: “I don’t think we Members of Parliament say often enough that we are incredibly grateful for the huge amount of work that huge numbers of people do to look after the interests and well-being of the people that we represent at Westminster.”