Andy honoured by ambulance colleagues

Last Friday (9^th October) ambulance personnel from across the country came together to pay their respects at the funeral of our much-missed colleague, Andy Ashman.

Andy, 49, tragically lost his life whilst competing in the Clipper round-the-world yacht race. A long-serving staff member at London Ambulance Service, Andy was most recently working with us here at EEAST as an educator – training hundreds of our new students with the team at Chelmsford.

Chief Executive Robert Morton said: “I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to show your respects for our colleague Andy. I know the training team and many of our student paramedics that Andy taught made the journey to say their goodbyes and take part in his guard of honour.

“I am proud and moved by the professionalism, respect and integrity you have all shown. I have no doubt it will have meant a great deal to Andy’s family to see how much he was valued by the ambulance service and our people.”

In credit to Andy’s incredible influence on students and staff alike, the team at the Chelmsford training centre will be renaming the main lecture room in his honour.

If you’ve been affected by Andy’s death and need support, please remember that the Trust’s employee assistance programme is available at any time. It’s free, confidential, runs 24/7 and can be accessed either on the phone or online. Just visit www.well-online.co.uk  (user name: EEASTlogin, password: wellbeing), or call 0800 085 1376.

Published 15th October, 2015