I WAS one of 13 staff from the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) on duty at the Olympics, but there were around 180 representatives from ambulance services across the country. Together with members of the London Ambulance Service (LAS), we were – for the duration of the games – effectively the National Ambulance Service.
The NEAS contingent arrived at London’s Goldsmiths College where we were greeted by Alan Taylor from LAS.
Alan went through everything that would be expected of us during the Olympics and Paralympics, then we had the opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the kit on the new ambulances.
It was a great bunch of ambulance staff who had gathered from all corners of the country and we managed to get acquainted over a drink.
I did my first Olympics shift at a test event in Greenwich Park on a scorching hot day. The venue was beautiful and the views over London were stunning.
This was the day that it really hit home how privileged I was to have been given the opportunity to be part of such an amazing event.
On July 27, the day of the opening ceremony, I was on what was called a silver reserve shift, covering transport hubs and live screens associated with the Olympics, but not a sporting venue. I was asked to go on standby at Greenwich live screen, so we took our ambulance and parked it next to the Cutty Sark! It was great to be in the park soaking up the atmosphere and watching everyone having a wonderful time.
Following that I worked a shift at the Aquatics Centre then another silver reserve shift at the standby points of Hyde Park Corner or London Bridge. It was amazing working at all these world-famous landmarks and seeing the sights of London during a day’s work!
Over the next week I did two shifts in the Royal Artillery Barracks, a shift covering the triathlon training in Hyde Park and four shifts in the common domain area of the Olympic Park. This covered The Orbit, the big MacDonald’s (the biggest in Europe), the shops, park life and the bandstand.
It was fantastic to see all of the spectators coming into the park.
Lots of them had made a massive effort with fancy dress costumes and red white and blue clothing.
The last event I covered was the BMX men’s quarter finals, an absolutely incredible event to watch. I had just handed my radio over to the next shift when there was a sevenbike pile up on the first corner of the track! Luckily no-one was injured.
I finished my Olympics stint off with a couple more silver reserve shifts during which I saw more of London’s landmarks. On my days off I also got out and about and took in the touristy bits of the capital.
Myself and a few of the other ambulance staff I had made friends with also managed to squeeze in a West End show, took a ride on a River Thames’ clipper and took a trip across the Thames in a cable car!
On August 13 I returned to the North-East, but only briefly, as I was back on duty for the Paralympics on August 28.
My first Paralympic duty was in the Aquatic Centre. Everything seemed so much more relaxed and less formal than during the Olympics, but it was still brilliant.
We were fortunate enough to be in the Aquatic Centre when Ellie Simmonds won her gold medal, and Clare Cashmore won her silver medal. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing and it was very emotional when the national anthem was played. It certainly made me extremely proud to be British.
I did a shift in the Excell Stadium to cover the power lifting competition, and the sitting volleyball, followed by a shift in the Olympic Stadium where I saw Micky Bushell win a gold medal for Great Britain. Once again the atmosphere was incredible.
I also worked two shifts covering the wheelchair rugby, both of which were very inspirational.
The courage and determination of these athletes is unreal. I could only watch gobsmacked when they were tipped over in their wheelchairs – literally onto their backs – then tipped themselves back upright.
My last Paralympic event shift was in the North Greenwich Arena for the wheelchair basketball. We had a quick try before the spectators came in – and I managed to score one goal!
My last shift was on silver reserve when we spent quite a lot of time at the South Bank of the river at a cultural event.
On September 10 we were taken to Buckingham Palace where we were in a special ticketed area for armed forces, emergency services and the athletes’ families so we could watch the victory parade.
What a fantastic way to end what had been a breath-taking experience at probably the greatest Olympics and Paralympics ever!
I met some lovely people, had a fantastic time and was very well looked after.
It was an experience I will never forget and I will always be very grateful that I was given the opportunity to be at what must rank as the Greatest Show on Earth!
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