Staff celebrate 5,470 combined years at Long Service Awards

We were proud to celebrate the achievements and dedication of our staff at the Long Service and Retirement Awards on Tuesday (3 September).

During the event, we recognised over 260 colleagues with a combined service of over 5,470 years. Awards included those for staff who have reached their 20, 30, 40 and 50-year milestone in the NHS, and those who have retired. Also presented were the King’s and Queen’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, given to colleagues with 20 years’ exemplary frontline emergency service.  

More than 170 staff and their guests attended the event, held at the Pavilions of Harrogate, during which the awards were presented by our Chair Martin Havenhand and Simon Mackaness, His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire. 

Peter Reading, Chief Executive, said: “The event provides us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the amazing hard work, dedication and service our colleagues have given to our patients and the communities we serve over so many years.”

Among our awardees were colleagues who have reached an incredible 40 years’ service. They included Neil Bellamy, Bob Greenwood, Stuart McPherson, Stephen Whiteley, Julie Hook and Russell Brunt.

Husband and wife team Alan and Diane Laverie, who have clocked up an incredible 99 years of combined service, also received their long service awards.

Alan joined West Riding Ambulance Service in 1969 and Diane started as a cadet in 1980. The pair now work for our Private and Events Team, providing medical cover at events such as football matches, and Diane also does shifts with Embrace, a specialist transport service for critically ill infants and children.

We also celebrated the incredible achievement of Stefan Frankowiak, who has worked in the ambulance service for over 50 years. Stefan started in August 1973 at Stanley Road Ambulance Station in Wakefield. He has worked at almost all stations in West Yorkshire during his career, but always returned to his roots at Wakefield. Stefan stepped down from A&E five years ago and moved onto our non-emergency Patient Transport Service.

Diane and Alan Laverie

Stefan Frankowiak receiving his long service award from Simon Mackaness, His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, pictured left, and Chair Martin Havenhand, pictured right