Staff say a poignant farewell

Tributes have been paid to a dedicated member of staff who passed away after a battle with cancer.

Dozens of colleagues gathered in King’s Lynn for the funeral of Colin Grundy on Friday (27^th February), a Qualified Student Ambulance Paramedic, who died last month.

The 63-year-old - a former car salesman and restaurant owner - joined EEAST five years ago after deciding to change careers.

Colin, who was based at King’s Lynn ambulance station, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2014 and passed away on 12th February.

Ambulance staff formed a guard of honour for his final journey to King’s Lynn Crematorium.

Terry Hicks, EEAST Senior Locality Manager for West Norfolk, said: “Colin changed career late in life to become a student paramedic and took to it as though he had been doing this for far longer.

“He was a proud, enthusiastic, and dedicated man, embodying everything that is good about the ambulance service. He will be missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him, leaving a legacy that it is never too old to take on a new challenge.”

Paramedic Chris Steele, who trained alongside Colin, added: “If he had stayed fit and healthy, he would have qualified as a paramedic by now. He was a fantastic technician and he had a lot of respect from his peers.”

Published 5th March 2015
Colin pictured below