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Lucy Hammond
30, from Norwich
Full time paramedic for the East of England ambulance service and NARS paramedic in her spare time.
Can you tell us about your role with NARS?
I am a volunteer paramedic and when I get time also support the critical care team to get experience in that area. I also help Georgie with the schools project, teaching CPR to children. My day job is as a paramedic for the East of England ambulance service.
I’ve been working with the NARS team since May 2019. As well as helping people and providing a vital service, on a personal level it is fantastic for me to gain the extra special knowledge and skills from the team so that I can be the best I can be when the call comes through.
Why did you want to get involved with NARS?
In my first year as a student about four years ago, I was involved in a rollover road traffic accident on my way home from a night shift. I was supported by NARS, the air ambulance, the East of England ambulance service and, of course, the hospital. When the 999 call was made, it was NARS who provided the advanced level of care I needed. When I qualified as a paramedic I wanted to be a part of that.
Why did you decide to organise this walk?
NARS receives no government funding and the money raised is so important so that it can continue to save lives and provide critical care, especially considering how rural some areas of Norfolk are. Although I like walking,
I have never done anything as long as this but the aim is to raise awareness of NARS and raise some money. I was initially going to do it on my own and was speaking to some of the team, and they said that they would do it with me and it has grown from there. I think the hardest part will be the weather in January and carrying an extra 60kg, which is like another person!
You must have to deal with some difficult situations with NARS?
Yes, but in that moment you just do what you need to do and focus on that. I am medically minded and just want to help people. I recently received a lovely thank you letter from a lady who had come off her horse and got a pelvic fracture, and she is now back at home in recovery. Obviously it is difficult situations and for the families too, so it is also providing emotional support and care. I have so many lovely people, including at NARS, I can talk too and we all support each other.
What do you like doing when you’re not working or volunteering?
I like to keep fairly fit and also like socialising. I’m a bit of a home girl too and enjoy country pursuits and walking. I'm forever stealing my parent’s dog or trying to convince my cat Tonks that she likes walking!
Will you be singing on your walk in January to motivate everyone?
Well my singing will probably get people running away, so it may help! There will definitely be some Disney sing-alongs and some of us girls are getting together before the challenge to do some training.
