NEAS remembers - our attendance to remember the fallen across the region and beyond
We have been marking Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day across the trust.
We are remembering all those who we have lost while serving their country. Thank you to all of our armed forces colleagues across the country and world for your service.
Many members of our service are attended memorial ceremonies across the region throughout the weekend and today. Read more below to find out where we were.
David Graham, specialist practitioner paramedic - National Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall
“I have been a member of the ceremonial team since its inception & have represented NEAS at its most sad times - funerals of serving colleagues and members of other blue light services as well as some of NEAS’ proudest times too.
“I was the first member of NEAS to represent the trust at the National Remembrance Cenotaph parade in London and then returned the following year. I was the only NEAS representative at King Charles' coronation, represented NEAS at National Arboretum Service, Festival of Remembrance at Durham Cathedral alongside other colleagues, the VE Day parade in London as well as numerous long service awards with NEAS for our colleagues. I feel it is really important our trust is represented at these events and I'm really proud to be part of such a small but committed team.
“My attendance at The Royal Albert Hall started with a private ambition to attend the National Festival of Remembrance. I was offered the chance to take part, not just representing NEAS but NHS ambulance services nationally with one other colleague from the Isle of Man rescue service.
“Most people see it on BBC live on the Saturday night in the presence of the Royal family but that’s where the glamour ends.
I have needed to submit all my security documentation prior for clearance.
Registration, briefing, rehearsal on the Friday the day before, then it’s a full day on the Saturday with rehearsal from early morning to early afternoon, then there is a live matinee on the afternoon followed by the live BBC televised service on the night.
“To be fair I don’t think it can get any better than this from a ceremonial team perspective, and I feel absolutely privileged to have this opportunity, and have to thank NEAS for allowing me to attend. One of the other benefits of taking part is you get a ticket for 1 person to attend with you and be in the audience so obviously I have twisted my wife’s arm!
“I have just entered my 39th year in the trust - prior to this I was in the British Army and served in Germany & Northern Ireland , Cyprus , Kenya, Portugal and the glamorous Blackpool!
"I think representing my organisation and remembering those who have served in various conflicts throughout the world will probably be the pinnacle of my time with NEAS, as well as representing the ceremonial team too.”
Stuart Corbridge, Chairman - Ponteland and Hexham
"I attended a 'Blessing of the Branch Standard' service at St Mary's Parish Church, Ponteland, on 1st November, to honour the Dinnington, Ponteland and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and all those who have served.
“I also represented NEAS at the Annual Parade and Service of Remembrance in Hexham on Sunday 8th November. I felt honoured to lay a wreath for NEAS at the Hexham War Memorial and feel very proud to represent the service and to honour all those who served.”
Josh Plumpton, paramedic - London parade
“I attended the parade in London, it is the national parade attended to by the royal household, King and Queen, HM Government, foreign dignitaries, all branches of the UK armed forces and civilian emergency services.
“It is the largest parade in the UK. I was part of a team of 6 people from Ambulance services from all over the UK and Channel Islands, representing NEAS, and the wider emergency services.
“I feel immense pride at going back to where my military career began. One of my first official ceremonial parades was the Remembrance Day parade in London 2007, so it was amazing to be back. I felt immense pride at being in the capital for such an event and humbled in equal measure.”
Karen Gardner, Deputy Director for People Development - Newcastle
"My role at Newcastle was to represent the Trust as part of the senior members of many organisations including the council, Mayors office, veterans association, armed forces organisations and our partner emergency services.
“It is our opportunity to proudly remember the ultimate sacrifice made by our veterans who lost their lives in conflicts across the world. Their sacrifices give us the safe and secure lives we all have and it is an honour to represent NEAS at such a large remembrance ceremony.”
Steve Roebuck, Emergency Preparedness Resilience Response Manager - Guisborough
"At Guisborough, a parade formed up and marched through the high street towards the church and cenotaph. The parade consisted of military (serving and veterans), cadets, local schools and community groups alongside police, fire and ambulance colleagues.
"Following the march, the parade formed up around the cenotaph where there was a service, the 11 o’clock silence and then the respective representatives were called up to lay their wreaths.
“I attended and laid the NEAS wreath alongside NEAS colleagues, Pete Marshall, Clare Parker and Chris Blunsdon (Chris is also a Yorkshire Regiment veteran) and retired NEAS paramedics Brian Docherty and Jeff Rosser. The day went well and there was a large turn out from the community at the parade and service.”
Julie Cowell - Specialist Practitioner Paramedic - Amble
"I represented the North East Ambulance Service by laying the wreath at the Town Square parade at Amble.
"I was accompanied by my husband, who placed a wreath for Northumberland Fire and Rescue, as well as his brother, a representative of HM Coastguard.
“Remembrance Day has always been held deep within our hearts as a family and it was an honour to proudly unite as members of the emergency services in the community showing our personal and professional respect within the community.”
Rebecca Hicks, locality manager - Beamish
"On Remembrance Sunday, I had the privilege of attending the Remembrance Sunday Act of Remembrance at Beamish Museum, in the 1900s Town, where I laid a wreath on behalf of the North East Ambulance Service.
"It was a particularly special and humbling experience to represent our Trust in such an important act of remembrance. Set against the historic surroundings of Beamish, it felt like a poignant reminder of the lives, sacrifices and courage of those who came before us, and of the generations who have helped shape the world we live in today.
"I was fortunate to share the occasion with my husband and stepson. Bringing the next generation along made the day even more meaningful. It was an opportunity to help him understand why we pause to remember, to reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom, and to appreciate the importance of keeping those memories alive.
"It was an honour to lay the wreath on behalf of NEAS and to stand alongside others in remembering all those who have served, sacrificed and never returned.
"Remembrance isn't just about looking back; it's about making sure the next generation understands, remembers and carries those stories forward.
“We will remember them.”
Marianne Walton, Emergency Preparedness Resilience Response (EPRR) MANAGER - Consett
"I represented North East Ambulance Service at the Consett Remembrance Parade and Service, joining veterans, members of the armed forces, emergency services, local organisations, and members of the community in paying tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.
"The day included a formal parade through the town centre followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and the traditional two-minute silence. My role was to represent NEAS and pay respects on behalf of the Trust, while standing alongside partner organisations and the local community in remembrance.
"This event is particularly meaningful to me because of my own family connections to Consett and military service. Both my great grandad and grandad were from Consett and served their country, with my great grandad serving in the Royal Navy and my grandad serving in the Durham Light Infantry. Attending the parade therefore carries a personal significance beyond my professional role and provided an opportunity to reflect on their service and sacrifice, as well as that of countless others.
“I feel both proud and humbled to have represented NEAS at the event. Remembrance provides an important opportunity to pause, reflect and honour those who served, while recognising the impact their sacrifices have had on future generations. As someone working within the emergency services, I also feel a strong connection to the values of duty, commitment and public service that these occasions commemorate.”
Beth Skeldon, integrated care assistant - Thornaby
“We attended Thornaby remembrance day parade which we have done for many years from being a child as well as my dad Peter Skeldon who has been attending since he was a child too.”
Rob Barlow, clinical care assistant - Skelton
"Both me and my wife have been in NEAS for about 20 years each and met at work. My wife would have attended with me at the Cenotaph but unfortunately she is recovering from a chest infection.
"During the Remembrance Service, a boy collapsed with a seizure and hit his head on the road. I was called by the public to attend as I was the closest from the ambulance service.
"Luckily enough the fire service and police were also attending and with their assistance I was able to get some basic observations done with the equipment they carry, move the patient safely to a quiet and warm location and monitor the patient.
"I arranged through a telephone call to 999 for the patient to be transported to A&E James Cook for further tests.
“This all just happened after the laying of the Wreath's so I was successful in laying the ambulance service wreath.”
Phil Blance, locality manager - Whickham
"On both a personal and professional level, it was an honour to represent the Ambulance Service on Remembrance Day alongside colleagues from the police and fire services.
“It was a privilege to play even a small part in our village's remembrance commemorations and to pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.”
Stuart Storey, clinical team leader - Durham
“Organised by the Army Benevolent Fund, the Durham Festival of Remembrance is one of the North East’s most significant annual acts of commemoration, held in the magnificent surroundings of Durham Cathedral.
“Each year, the festival brings together the Armed Forces community and the wider public services to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of all who have served our nation. At its heart is a solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, alongside recognition of the dedication and contribution of serving personnel, veterans and their families.
“Inspired this year by the theme 'Freedom, Service, Duty', the Festival weaves together music, narration and personal reflections to explore the enduring values that define military service across generations.
“The evening celebrated the commitment of those who serve, gave us the chance to reflect on the profound sense of duty that underpins military life, and pay tribute to the lasting bond between the Armed Forces and the communities they serve.
“Through remembrance, reflection and shared gratitude, the Durham Festival of Remembrance offers a poignant opportunity to honour the past, recognise service in the present and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the freedoms we hold dear.”