A pub landlord who helped save a window cleaner’s life was honoured at SECAmb’s Kent awards, alongside colleagues and volunteers marking 1,030 years of service.
René Renault, landlord of the Red Lion in Bridge, near Canterbury, received a Chief Executive’s Commendation after performing CPR on Joe Carver for eight minutes in the pouring rain.
Joe suffered a cardiac arrest while working at the pub on 14 November 2025. Following hospital treatment and cardiac rehabilitation, he made a full recovery and returned to work.
The ceremony at The Orangery in Maidstone on Thursday, 29 October reunited the pair with Emergency Medical Advisor, Caitlin Davis, who answered the 999 call and ambulance colleagues Prudence Moore, Mollie Smith and Teresa Morris, who helped care for Joe at the scene.
They were also joined by Thanet Operational Team Leader, David Latham, who nominated René for the commendation.
For René and Joe, the evening brought together those involved from the first call for help through to lifesaving treatment at the scene.
René said “Finding out that Joe made a full recovery is an incredible miracle. We are now raising money for an extra defibrillator so that our community is better prepared if something like this happens again.”
The pub is raising funds to provide a defibrillator for the premises and surrounding village.
Alongside René’s Honouring Public Service commendation, recipients were recognised across five further categories.
Community First Responder, Warren Fassenfelt received the Acting with Courage commendation, while Community First Responder Tutor, Jody Love was recognised for Demonstrating Kindness.
Amy Igweonu, Danny Speed, Harry Kirkby, Emma Webber and Ian Spencer received the Excellence in Clinical Practice commendation for an innovative digital improvement project that transformed patient communication. The project delivered more than £200,000 in calculated efficiency savings and returned more than 1,000 hours to patient care.
EDI Advisor, Anthony Walker-Banfield received the Celebrating Inclusivity commendation, while Wellbeing Volunteer, Bob Sheridan was honoured in the Recognising Voluntary Service category.
More than 140 colleagues and their families attended the evening, which recognised 46 colleagues for long service and included Chief Executive’s Commendations for courage, kindness, clinical excellence, inclusivity, voluntary service and public service.
Patrick Fagan and Roger Hext each received an award marking 40 years of service, together accounting for eight decades of the service celebrated.
Mrs Victoria Wallace DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, presented The King’s Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct on behalf of His Majesty The King.
The ceremony also remembered seven colleagues who died while in service during the past year. Critical Care Paramedic, Nick Harrison’s family attended, with his daughter Jade collecting his King’s Medal on his behalf.
The evening celebrated the contribution of colleagues, volunteers and members of the public to patients and communities across Kent, while honouring long-serving staff and remembering colleagues who are greatly missed.
Details of all award winners can be found below.
Kings Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct
Rebecca Thomsett
Katie Smith
Teresa Morris
Andrew Fooks
Jodie Murray
Sue Holland
Helen Tanner
Becky Davy
Clare Bowler
Victor Terry
Amanda Smith
Kerry Neame
Paul Thompson
Lucy Davis
Kelly McAllister
Stephen Hughes
Darren Fisher
Eleanor Porter
Olivia Hopgood
Alison Waterman
Crystal Mcdonagh
Daryl Roots
Carol Lewis
Patrick Fagan
Nick Harrison – Daughter collected on his behalf
Birgitta Robertson
Clare Day
20 Years’ NHS Long Service
Claire Waller
Heather Emberley-Jenner
Helen Hill
Yvonne Martin
30 Years’ NHS Long Service
Patrick Fagan
Andrea McLean
Richard Bowden
Roger Hext
Deanne Carmichael
Richard Steinbeck
Anthony Eyres
Tina Shepherd
Louise Williams
Karen Ryan
40 Year’ NHS Long Service
Patrick Fagan
Roger Hext
10 Years’ Voluntary Long Service
Rachael Curtis
Sacha Alexander
Jonathan Joyce
Chief Executive’s Commendations
Robert (Bob) Sheridan – Recognising Voluntary or Community Service
Warren Fassenfelt – Acting with Courage
Ian Spencer, Amy Igweonu, Emma Webber, Danny Speed and Harry Kirkby – Excellence in Clinical Practice
Jody Love – Demonstrating Kindness
Tony Walker-Banfield – Celebrating Inclusivity
René Renault – Honouring public service