A paramedic whose kindness and humour helps colleagues through their toughest shifts has won an award in memory of Alice Clark at SECAmb’s first of three Surrey awards ceremonies.
Matty Baker, a newly qualified paramedic based in Brighton, received the Alice Clark Award at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking on Thursday 15 October, where more than 150 colleagues and their families gathered to celebrate outstanding care and a combined 1,270 years of service.
The award remembers Alice, a 21-year-old newly qualified paramedic who tragically died in service in January 2022. It honours her commitment to her work by recognising a paramedic who has shown significant dedication to developing from a newly qualified clinician into an experienced practitioner.
For Matty, who joined South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) in 2024 from West Midlands Ambulance Service, the recognition reflects both his progress as a clinician and the difference he makes to those working alongside him.
Brighton Paramedic, Harris Thomson, who nominated Matty, described him as a source of encouragement for colleagues navigating the pressures of frontline care.
“Matty is a credit to the service. He meets every challenge with a pragmatic, can-do attitude, remaining enthusiastic even under the most difficult circumstances,” said Harris.
The ceremony also recognised the contribution of colleagues and volunteers whose care has touched generations of families.
Among them was Burgess Hill Paramedic, Sue Barnett, who received a 40 years’ NHS Long Service Award after a career in which she has helped deliver 39 babies.
Sue joined the patient transport service in February 1986 before moving into emergency care. In 1998, she became the first female paramedic based at Burgess Hill.
“It’s more a wonderful vocation rather than a job,” she added.
For Guildford Paramedic, Andy Brown, who received a 30 years’ NHS Long Service Award, it was being on the receiving end of emergency care that inspired his career.
Badly injured in a motorbike accident as a teenager, Andy credits the ambulance crew who helped him and his subsequent months in hospital, with sparking his interest in medicine.
He joined the service in 1988 and qualified as a paramedic in July 1993. Having worked across the Guildford area, he is now mostly based at Tongham.
Guildford Community First Responder Team Leader, Tessa Weaver was recognised for 20 years of voluntary service.
Tessa decided to learn how to help after stopping at a road accident with a first aid kit and realising that others at the scene were relying on her to know what to do. Shortly afterwards, she saw the Community First Responder role advertised in a local newspaper and signed up.
“I think it’s having the opportunity to make someone’s rubbish day less rubbish,” she said. “You’re also working through a puzzle: what’s wrong? Can I do something to make things better? How can I speed things up for the patient and the crew?”
Nine Chief Executive’s Commendations were also presented during the evening, including an Acting with Courage award for Crawley Emergency Medical Advisor, Gemma Briggs.
Gemma’s calm guidance during a 999 call helped save Dave White after he suffered a cardiac arrest while walking with friends in the South Downs in March.
With emergency help some distance away, Gemma recognised that the occasional breaths reported by the caller were agonal breaths rather than normal breathing. She gave clear instructions for CPR to continue, a decision Area Clinical Lead, Alan Cowley described as “a crucial intervention”.
Other commendations recognised Mark Haydon and Jordon Hammond for Demonstrating Kindness, Christine Monk and Paul Nicholls for Upholding Integrity, Gareth Williams for Celebrating Inclusivity and James Taylor for Clinical Excellence. Ruby Billingham was named Colleague of the Year.
The ceremony also paused to remember seven colleagues who died while in service over the past 12 months.
Details of all award winners can be found below.
Kings Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct
Adam Blackshaw
Alison Bowen
Amy Brooker
Ann Barnstable
Ben Relf
Brett Walford
Cherry Hewitson
Christine Wattam
Claire Appi
Colin Trigg
Diana Rodriguez Eastman
Elisabeth Thowney
Gareth Pryor
Gareth Williams
Jade Paul
James Shields
Joe Noonan
John Kenneth Tidy
John Fitzpatrick
Julie Northwood
Kate Roots
Katie Dodds
Lisa Stansfield
Lucy clark
Luke Nebbett
Marion Brewer
Michelle Allen
Paul Ellis
Paul Blackman
Paul Smith
Richard Warburton
Richard Taylor
Richard Baker
Sarah Poole
Tammy Ford
Tim Kelly
Tim Sheridan
Trevor Hargreaves
Vicky Knights
Waseem Shakir
20 Years’ NHS Long Service
April Plant
30 Years’ NHS Long Service
Andy Brown
Cherry Hewitson
David Deville
Matt Edwards
Paul Smith
Paula McKeough-Lea
Robert Margaillan
Shaun Baron
40 Year’ NHS Long Service
Jacqueline Mullin
Lisa Stansfield
Mark Lilley
Sue Barnett
10 Years’ Voluntary Long Service
Andrew Coombs
Colin G McFarlane
Elizabeth Absalom
Heidi Dodd
Jennifer Lindsay
John Haigh
Marietta Campbell
Nick Dowling
Poppy Walsh
Richard Ayears
Chief Executive’s Commendations
Acting with Courage – Gemma Briggs
Demonstrating Kindness – Mark Haydon
Demonstrating Kindness – Jordan Hammond
Upholding Integrity – Christine Monk
Upholding Integrity – Paul Nicholls
Celebrating Inclusivity – Gareth Williams
Clinical Excellence – James Taylor
Colleague of the Year – Ruby Billingham
Alice Clark Award – Matty Baker