Two North East Ambulance Service colleagues have been recognised for their courage, compassion and dedication by attending a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Clinical team leader Claire Swinburne and paramedic Abbie Tutchings were invited to the palace after facing recent personal and professional adversity.
Claire was assaulted by a man she stopped to help in Cramlington on Christmas Day in 2024. Since then, she has worked with NEAS to raise awareness of assaults on emergency workers.
She said she felt honoured to have been invited to attend the garden party.
"I didn't join the service to be assaulted, I joined the service to help people and that's what I continue to do," she said.
“Attending the garden party was an incredible experience. It was an absolute pleasure to be there amongst so many amazing people and to see how what everyone does is recognised by the Royal family.”
Abbie Tutchings was invited in recognition of her resilience, professionalism and the extraordinary impact she has had on colleagues and communities after receiving the devastating news that her breast cancer had become stage four and incurable.
Throughout this time, Abbie has continued to inspire those around her with her strength, positivity and commitment to helping others. Her story prompted an outpouring of support, with thousands of pounds raised to help her create precious memories and access further treatment options.
She said: “Being nominated by NEAS to attend the royal garden party was a true honour and privilege. I’ve been visiting London ever since I was a child, and never once did I imagine I’d make it any further than having a photo taken outside Buckingham Palace.
“To receive an invitation made me feel incredibly honoured, and I’m so grateful to have been given such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to be up close to the royal family, sipping tea and coffee within the palace grounds. I can honestly say it was the best Victoria sponge cake I’ve ever had!
“Most of all, it was so special to create such an unforgettable memory with my mum. During the height of my health struggles, this experience became a wonderful light, something joyful, uplifting, and truly incredible.”
Garden parties at Buckingham Palace are hosted by His Majesty The King and The Queen to celebrate outstanding public service and community contribution.
NEAS Chief Executive Kev Scollay said: ““It is an enormous privilege to see Abbie and Claire recognised in this way.
“Their invitations to Buckingham Palace serve as a powerful reminder of the dedication shown by our people who demonstrate bravery, compassion and resilience every day — often in challenging and unpredictable circumstances. They reflect the very best of the North East Ambulance Service and I could not be prouder of them.”