Despite the devastating impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on families around the region, the one thing that has shone through the darkest days of lockdown is the kindness of others.

Bosses at West Midlands Ambulance Service took the opportunity, during National Volunteers Week, to pay tribute not only to their dedicated and hard-working group of volunteers, but also to the thousands of people who have offered help to the Trust by registering as an NHS volunteer responder and to the individuals and organisations that have provided their staff with hundreds of acts of kindness. Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said:

“Here in the West Midlands we are exceptionally lucky to have a whole host of volunteers who support the service; from BASICS Emergency Doctors and Community First Responders attending 999 calls, to St. John Ambulance volunteers, SARA Rescue, Volunteer Car Drivers, Trust Governors and fundraisers.

"Even through the pandemic, they each have continued to volunteer safely which is a credit to their sheer resilience and desire to help others in their spare time.

“A special mention must go to the West Midlands 4×4 Club who went above and beyond early into the pandemic by assisting our distribution team to deliver additional PPE and essential equipment to each of our ambulance hubs.     

“Throughout the lockdown we have been inundated with emails, phone calls and social media messages from people and organisations wanting to support us by providing their time or equipment for which I am immensely grateful.

“It has been truly humbling to see the kindness of members of the public and local organisations getting behind the NHS each Thursday at 8pm, displaying rainbows at their homes or places of work to brighten up our Region and providing food, drinks and supplies to my staff right across the West Midlands.

“On behalf of everyone at West Midlands Ambulance Service, thank you.”

To find out more about volunteering with the Trust, visit wmas.nhs.uk.