Critical care paramedic picks up emergency service award

Cornwall Air Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic, Thomas Hennessy Jones, was presented with an award at a special event to celebrate the work of emergency services in Cornwall.

Thomas received the Emergency Services Award 2018 at the event organised by Landal Gwel an Mor on on Thursday 6 December. Elva Griffin from Penzance nominated him for the award after he helped her following a car crash she was involved with on the A30 in June 2018.

Elva was airlifted by Cornwall Air Ambulance to Derriford Hospital and she said she felt compelled to nominate Thomas for this special award for the kindness, compassion and dignity he demonstrated at a very frightening time for her.

Whilst collecting his award, Thomas Hennessy Jones praised all the other services he works  alongside in his role.

He said: “What I wanted to point out is that I am just a small cog in the same wheel and when it comes to incidents like the one I was nominated for, they are only successful and the patient only survives because we work as a team and I couldn’t have done what I did without your help and support – so thanks to all of you for everything you do. Thanks also to Elva for the nomination and to the team at Landal Gwel an Mor for hosting this event.”

Kirstie Newton, Editor of Cornwall Today Magazine, presented the award to Thomas. She said: “It was a privilege to celebrate Cornwall’s vital role of our emergency services with its hard-working employees. I have personal experience of a midnight ambulance ride, and feel that every penny spent in taxes is a worthwhile investment if it means that everyone can dial 999 and ask for help, regardless of income.”

The event was conceived by the Landal Gwel an Mor team following a festive dinner and celebration night the resort organised in December 2017 for fire fighters and paramedics who were involved in the Grenfell Tower tragedy and were invited to stay at the resort. 

Matt Way, Resort’s Director of Landal Gwel an Mor, said: “We wanted to create this event, to take some time to appreciate the job these guys do everyday, day in and day out, to help us and support the local community. We wanted to show our gratitude and for our local emergency services to get some recognition of the brilliant job they do, have the night off and be looked after by us. There has been an incredibly positive reaction to the Emergency Service Award and Celebration idea and the interaction from the local community and our sponsors has been overwhelming – everyone really is on the same page in saying the biggest thank you.”