Ambulance care assistant wins charity award

A care assistant with the North East Ambulance Service has won a prestigious award.

Lisa Tomlinson, who is 43 and comes from Billingham, won the outstanding award at the Catalyst Achievement Awards.  The awards celebrate the achievements of the voluntary sector in Stockton-on-Tees.

Since being diagnosed with cervical cancer 12 years ago, she has raised more than £50,000 for a number of local charities, including the Butterwick Hospice, The Eve Appeal and Macmillan Cancer Support.  She also works to encourage young women to go for cervical screenings and campaigns to lower the age at which women can access the screenings service.

She said:  “It was very humbling to receive the award.  When I had finished my treatment I was determined to help the people and organisations who had helped me.”

She started raising funds with cake sales, raffles and sponsored walk and has now progressed to taking part in sky dives and bungee jumping.  She’s currently scaling back her fund-raising while she concentrates on completing a nursing degree.

Initially her cancer was misdiagnosed.  She started eight months of treatment in January 2007 after being given just a 50-50 chance of survival.  She was given the all-clear on August 7.  “That’s a poignant day for me – it’s like a second birthday

“I’m also part of a national network of cancer survivors who raise money to help combat the disease.”

Lisa, who is based at Coulby Newham and has been at NEAS for three years, has also presented petitions at Downing Street to get the age at which women can access cervical screening services lowered from 25 to 20.

“My message to anyone diagnosed with cancer is that it’s not all doom and gloom – you can come through it.”

Lisa was one of 11 people and organisations to win an award.  Steve Rose, Catalyst CEO, said:  “Huge congratulations to all of the finalists - they were all winners. These awards showcase the brilliant voluntary contributions from invaluable organisations and individuals in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees.”

Lisa works for the NEAS Patient Transport Service, taking patients to hospital appointments and getting them home when they’ve been discharged from hospital.  Four years ago she was about to join the London Ambulance Service but was diagnosed with appendix cancer and had to forego that job.

“I still wanted to work for the ambulance service so I joined NEAS – I absolutely love the work.”

For further information about Catalyst go to:  www.catalyststockton.org