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Gifts donated to families by NHS call-handlers

EEAST East of England Ambulance staff standing behind a large selection of toys. They are all wearing a dark uniform with two with a blue landyard round their necks. They are Olivia Howard, Sophie Bailey, Georgina Humphreys and Stephen NotleyEEAST
Olivia Howard (left), Sophie Bailey, Georgina Humphreys, and Stephen Notley, (right) all 999 call handlers, with the toys they donated

A team of 999 call handlers have donated about 1,000 toys and gifts to families who are struggling.

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) said six employees, based at the Norwich and Chelmsford emergency operations centres, organised the giveaway for the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal.

Lynda Hampel, secretary at Salvation Army's Chelmsford Citadel, said: "This is fantastic and so kind of your teams at the ambulance service."

She said they will be "really appreciated on Christmas morning".

A spokesperson for EEAST said the teams "donated the gifts to help ensure families who might be struggling receive a Christmas present this year".

The collection was organised by Olivia Howard, Sophie Bailey and Chloe Finch, in Chelmsford, and Stephen Notley and Georgina Humphreys in Norwich.

Rachael Edwards, the ambulance services deputy chief of clinical operations, said: "How amazing, kind, and generous of our teams to support this appeal.

"I am so proud of everyone involved."

Simon King, its head of clinical operations, said: "As I've been travelling around seeing our teams, I've seen plenty of initiatives to support our local communities, including these gifts for children of struggling families.

"It's a reminder for us all that Christmas can also be a tough time for some."

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