A PARAMEDIC goes beyond the call of duty to help his community save lives.
Tim Wilkinson, a paramedic team leader at Hanwell ambulance station, was nominated by Josh Ryan, who said: “Tim has been with the London Ambulance Service for 25 years and still has the same enthusiasm for the job as he did back then.
“In addition to his regular duties, he goes out to the local community teaching schoolchildren what to do in an emergency and first aid skills.
“He has taught staff at Ealing Athletics Club how to use their defibrillator.
“He does all this in his spare time.
“Also, to keep up morale at the ambulance station, he assists in running the tea club, arranges weekly five-a-side football games and dips into his own pocket to buy and cook staff breakfast every so often.
“All his elderly neighbours know what his job is, so he assists them with chores and medical advice.”
Tim, a 46-year-old father of one, from Harrow, said: “It’s nice to be recognised.
“As long as I do a good job I know I have made a difference.
“I am used to dealing with people in distress in an authoritative, but compassionate way, so, if someone needs help I just do it.”
Tim said he always wanted to go into the service after helping care for his mum, who has MS, since he was 11.
He said: “I get such a wide spectrum of extremes which is why I love this job.
“One of my most memorable times was saving a man who was drowning after jumping into a neighbour’s pool.
“He was in effect dead and we had to bring him round with CPR.
“It was great. That is what this job is all about.”
n above and beyond: Paramedic Tim Wilkinson Photo by Matt Grayson WL20135557_2 www.buyaphototms.co.uk
