"He was and still is my hero" - special 99th birthday gift for ex-Lancashire ambulance man Stephen
Hats off to Peter Kemp at North West Ambulance Service for recently making his friend and former manager Stephen Spencer’s 99th birthday extra special.
Stephen served as an Ambulance Driver for Lancashire Ambulance Service (LAS, the precursor to NWAS) from the 1960s until his retirement in 1991. He was Peter’s very first manager when he started at the service at Waterfoot station, Rossendale, in 1990.
While the pair only worked together for a year, Stephen made a lasting impression on Peter as he taught him the job. They’ve remained friends since, and Peter regularly visits Stephen at his retirement home in Rossendale.
For his 99th birthday, Peter gifted Stephen a special LAS service cap, along with a commemorative tie.
Peter said: “As we always reminisce about the job and memories, I decided to give him something special for his 99th birthday – my old service cap with one of his cap badges on. I’ve never visited him in my uniform before, so wanted to make the effort for him for his birthday. I even shined my boots – something Stephen taught me too!
“It was a great day all round, and I finally had the chance to meet some of his family members too.
“Stephen was in the ambulance service before I was even born and when I joined he taught me how to use all of the equipment and how to deal with patients in a compassionate way, while we worked on our Patient Transport Service and on aeromedical repatriations throughout the UK.
“He insisted that ambulances had to be washed and mopped daily and equipment checks before each shift, and during down times even had me polishing aluminium window frames on the ambulance until they shined!
“He always said you only have one chance to make a good first impression and he was absolutely right. Always wear your hat to look smart and professional and be as good as you look and you can deal with anything and anyone in this job.
“I still use some of his techniques to this day but I know without his training and patience I wouldn’t be the person I am today 35 years on. He was and still is my hero and he still tells me how proud he is of me.”