More on KentOnline
An ambulance technician has been recognised for her dedication and commitment by being presented with the Queen’s 20-year long-service and good conduct medal.
Lynn Halbert, who worked out of Thameside and Dartford ambulance stations, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and was unable to attend South East Coast Ambulance's annual awards earlier this year.
Colleagues, family and friends recently gathered for the presentation with Lynn at Sloane Nursing Home in Beckenham where she is being cared for.
They were joined by Deputy Lieutenant of Bexley, Major David Hewer, who presented the medal.
Lynn was only earlier this year diagnosed with the illness after collapsing at Bluewater in January.
Her colleagues have paid tribute to her commitment to the ambulance service which stretches back to when she joined London Ambulance Service in May 1992 and undertook her basic training at Bromley Ambulance Station.
Lynn was posted to Waterloo Ambulance Station in August of the same year where she became part of a team working out of Kings College Hospital responding to cardiac chest pain patients.
In November 2001, Lynn left the London Ambulance Service, but found it was still in her blood and re-joined what was then Kent Ambulance Service in December 2002.
She was posted to Thameside ambulance station where she took up an acting clinical team leader role and became one of the Trust’s ‘listeners’ to support fellow colleagues.
Lynn transferred to Dartford ambulance station during June 2008 where she usually worked as a single responder in a car.
SECAmb clinical operations manager Anne Copson said: “It was an honour to join Lynn for the presentation.
"She has dedicated her life to helping others. She has received many thank you letters in her time with SECAmb including one from The London Golf Club for ‘performing her duties with great efficiency.’
"During 2010 Lynn also undertook a staff side representative course to support her colleagues when required.
"All of our thoughts are with Lynn, her husband Robert and their family and friends at this difficult time.”