Colleagues from across Lincolnshire came together on Wednesday 4 March 2026 to celebrate an extraordinary collective milestone – 800 years of combined service to EMAS and the wider NHS.
The event recognised staff marking 10, 20, and 30 years of service, alongside this year’s Dave Alderson Award, Divisional Director Awards, and a special acknowledgement of retired colleagues.
The celebration brought together frontline colleagues, support staff, and leaders from across Lincolnshire.
We were also honoured to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis, who joined us in recognising the meaningful contributions made by staff across the county.
“A highlight of the year” – reflections from leadership
Sue Cousland, Divisional Director for Lincolnshire at East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), spoke with pride about the commitment shown across the division, and the value of recognising people behind the uniform.
She said: “These Reward and Recognition events are really important to acknowledge the amount of hard work that happens daily, that we often don’t see because it just keeps happening.
“It’s lovely to see people relaxed, chatting to colleagues, and to learn through the citations what’s behind the person – not just their role, but their families and the other things that matter to them.
“Not only have we celebrated over 800 years of service, but we’ve also recognised our Support Services staff, including our Resource Management team and the Fleet team, who deserve recognition for keeping the wheels turning in Lincolnshire.
“The teamwork, camaraderie and laughter experienced here today is what gives us the resilience to do what we do every day – it’s one of the highlights of the year.”
Ben Holdaway, Director of Operations at EMAS, also paid tribute to the dedication shown by colleagues.
He said: “It’s absolutely amazing to spend time celebrating the service people have given.
“We’re acknowledging roughly 800 years of service today alone – that’s incredible.
“The difference you’ve made to so many people’s lives is exactly why we’re here, and why we love celebrating these events with you.
“It’s also great to have Support Services colleagues with us. Fleet and Resource Management play a massive part in frontline operations, so it’s brilliant to see them included in celebrating Lincolnshire’s success.”
Award recipients
While not everyone could make the event itself, those recognised with an award include:
10 years
-
Danielle Hitchen
- Sandro Oliveira
- Alan Parker
- Claire Parton
- Ellie Flinton
- Jacob Watkins
- Karen Hutchinson
- Laura Coy
- Rebecca Ruby
- Sam Clift
- Sarah Burgin
- Tracy Farrell-Pipe
20 years
- Pauline Dyer
- Lynton Jones
- Annie Berry
- Clair Compton
- David Felton
- Emma Haskey
- Gaz Owen
- Graham Purdue
- Helen Richardson
- Ian Robinson
- Kevin Sylvestor
- Kirsty Taylor
- Mark Coombs
- Mike Watkinson
- Nicholas Powell
- Paul McGill
- Sam Proctor
- Samantha Ferris
- Sean Lovett
- Steve McKendry
30 years
- Gail Ladds
- Alison Barber
- David Scott
- Lisa Coy
Dave Alderson Award
The Dave Alderson Award is presented in memory of a colleague remembered for his compassion, diligence, and unwavering commitment to doing the right thing – never for commendation, but because it mattered.
This award celebrates someone who embodies these values.
- 2026 recipient: Aaron Pearson
Divisional Director Awards
These were selected by Sue Cousland in recognition of teams who have gone above and beyond:
- Lincolnshire Resource Management team
- Fleet team
Acknowledgement of retired colleagues
We were pleased to also recognise and thank retired colleagues for their valued service:
- June Burton
- Pat Scott
- Dave Butler
Staff stories
As the awards ceremony came to an end, we had the chance to speak with some of the individuals who were recognised.
Danielle Hitchen
Danielle has spent the past decade building a career she once doubted she could achieve.
Known among colleagues for her warmth, positivity and natural ability to uplift others during difficult moments, she has become a respected and much-loved member of the Lincolnshire team.
For her, receiving a Long Service Award was both an honour and a moment of reflection on how far she has come.
Danielle said: “I’ve seen so many familiar faces, including managers and colleagues I’ve worked closely with, and it’s meant a lot to share the day with my husband, Lee.
“What matters most to me in this job is being there for people in their time of need. Showing warmth, empathy and kindness can help make someone feel supported when they’re frightened or overwhelmed.
“Every patient is different, so I try to read the situation – sometimes people need calm reassurance, and sometimes a bit of lightness can make all the difference.
“I’ve overcome a lot to get here. Years ago, I didn’t believe I was capable of joining the ambulance service. I had to resit my exams and rebuild my confidence step by step.
“But my colleagues believed in me long before I believed in myself. Their encouragement pushed me to take opportunities I never imagined I could achieve, including qualifying as a Paramedic and receiving the Paramedic Excellence Award.
“Outside of work, my family grounds me. My children, granddaughter and husband are constant sources of support, and staying active – especially running – really helps me keep perspective on tough days.
“What I hope most is that my family feel proud of me. They tell me they are, and that means everything.
“This career has changed me completely, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to make a difference.”
Gail Ladds
For three decades, Technician Gail Ladds has been a calm, dependable presence.
Known for her compassion, professionalism and the quiet way she supports both colleagues and patients, Gail’s long career has shaped countless experiences across EMAS – making her highly respected among her peers and managers.
Her commitment to her development, including mentoring, reflects her deep pride in the work she does.
Gail said: “When I look back over 30 years, I don’t think of one particular chapter – it’s been a real mixture of happy moments, sad moments and everything in between.
“No two days are the same, and I still genuinely enjoy coming to work.
“I was lucky to start my career with an excellent crewmate. He was such a calm and knowledgeable presence, and he set the standard for the kind of clinician I wanted to be. That early grounding really shaped the way I now support others.
“For me, being calm and steady matters because we often meet people at the worst times of their lives. There’s a lot of fear when someone is unwell, and if you can stay calm on the outside – even if you’re working hard on the inside – you can make a world of difference.
“Sometimes it’s the way you speak to someone, not the treatment itself, that helps them most.
“I’ve had many meaningful experiences, but one I’ll always treasure is when a patient I’d helped came back later and simply said, ‘Thanks for saving my life.’ They went on to live a normal, healthy life – knowing I played a part in that is something I’ll always hold dear.
“Today has been really special. It’s my first awards ceremony, and it’s been lovely seeing both familiar and new faces.”
Pauline Dyer
For 20 years, Pauline was at the heart of Gainsborough Ambulance Station – not only keeping the environment clean and welcoming, but also offering kindness, conversation, and a sense of family to everyone who walked through the door.
Her work behind the scenes made a profound difference to colleagues returning from challenging emergency responses.
Pauline said: “Gainsborough was more than a workplace to me – it felt like a family.
“I loved being the friendly face people saw when they came back for their lunch break. Sometimes, all was needed was a cup of tea and a chat about normal everyday life.
“I always wanted to make sure the station was clean and comfortable for crews coming back. It might seem like a small thing, but having a tidy, welcoming space to return to helps people reset during their shifts.
“I felt proud to be part of the team, and I always had great confidence in the staff.
“Retirement has been wonderful – it was the right time for me to start a new chapter and travel more with my husband in our motorhome – but I do miss the people at EMAS. They were such a big part of my life.
“To everyone at Gainsborough: keep that family feel. Keep looking after each other. I’m so proud of you all. Just keep being yourselves – you’re brilliant.”