Christmas attack paramedic 'honoured' to meet King
PA MediaAn ambulance worker who was assaulted while on duty on Christmas Day said she was "honoured" to meet the King and speak with him about her experience.
Claire Swinbourne, a team leader paramedic at North East Ambulance Service, was among emergency responders invited to the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
On 25 December 2024 she had stopped to help a man who was sitting alone on a roundabout in Cramlington when he became "very distressed" and physically assaulted her.
Swinbourne, who is from Northumberland, said: "[The King] mentioned that assaults on emergency workers aren't acceptable and he asked how I'd overcome that."
The man who attacked her was given a suspended prison sentence for his crime, she said, adding: "I didn't join the service to be assaulted, I joined the service to help people and that's what I continue to do."
The 42-year-old, who has been a paramedic for 21 years, said the attack debilitated her right arm and she still experiences a loss of sensation in her fingers almost six months on from the assault.
She said she felt honoured to have been invited to attend the garden party.
"It makes me feel overwhelmed in that, 'am I deserving of it?', but yes, I am, and it's about enjoying the day."
The paramedic was nominated by her colleagues for the work she has done since her attack to raise awareness of assaults on emergency workers.
"The more we explain that it's not acceptable and that it won't be tolerated… it won't happen, and we will push for prosecution," she said.
Wednesday's event was the first of three garden parties that will be held at Buckingham Palace this month to celebrate those who serve the community.
A fourth will be hosted at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June.
