Dame Helen Mirren celebrates exceptional ambulance volunteers

Dame Helen Mirren presented awards to volunteer life-savers at a City Hall ceremony on Sunday 9 June.

The London Ambulance Service awards, which were attended by over 200 people, recognised the life-saving work of its Voluntary Responder Group.

Dame Helen became involved in the charity after her friend was resuscitated from a cardiac arrest at the premiere of her film The Debt in Mayfair two years ago. She told how her friend was only alive today thanks to the quick thinking actions of police officers who saw him collapse. Dame Helen said: “Chris is alive today because he was given CPR and shocked by a defibrillator. More of these life saving machines should be available across London to give others a chance of survival.”

Community and emergency responders have life saving skills and volunteer to respond to patients in their communities alongside ambulance crews. Six members of the charity were rewarded for their commitment for saving lives from 73 nominations.

Dame Helen said: “It was an honour to be in the presence of people who give their time to save the lives of others.”

Ambulance Operations Manager Chris Hartley-Sharpe, who coordinates the charity, said: “The standard of the nominations was extremely high and demonstrates what dedicated volunteers we have.


“London Ambulance Service staff get to a vast majority of patients quickly, but as many of the stories from tonight show, our volunteers start giving lifesaving care to patients almost immediately, giving them the best chance of survival.”

Several patients were among those who were invited to attend the ceremony. Winners were presented with glass trophies and defibrillators which they will donate to a chosen location.   

The awards night was made possible by generous support from Physio Control.