Bedfordshire's emergency services come together for a day of remembrance and appreciation

Firefighters, police and paramedics in Bedfordshire came together for a day of tributes and applause yesterday (Thurday) to pay respect to those on the front line of tackling coronavirus.

Bedfordshire Police and the East of England Ambulance Service joined Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for a minute’s silence in tribute to Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital nurse who tragically died this week after contracting coronavirus.Tributes to Mrs Agyapong were read by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andrew Hopkinson at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and Chief Constable Garry Forsyth at Bedford Hospital respectively.

The tribute described Mrs Agyapong as a “much loved nurse and colleague”, adding: “We are taking the opportunity to remember and appreciate a wonderful young woman and nurse who made a huge contribution to this NHS Trust, and to the lives of the many patients she cared for.

“We will remember her, they will remember her, and we are all grateful for her service.

“This is also a time to remember all of those NHS staff who have died on the front line of fighting this virus, as well as those both here and around the world who have lost their lives to coronavirus.”

Police, firefighters and the ambulance service then joined in with the applause for the national clap for carers initiative, to thank everyone who continues to work extremely hard during the coronavirus pandemic.

Liz Lees, Chief Nurse at Bedfordshire Hospitals, said: “The minute’s silence to remember our much loved colleague Mary before last night’s 8pm clap was a lovely gesture and we really appreciated the opportunity to pay tribute to her in this way.

“We cannot thank Bedfordshire’s blue light services enough for the incredible support they continue to give us – it means so much to our staff."

Garry Forsyth, Chief Constable for Bedfordshire Police, said: “It was an absolute honour to join my blue light colleagues to pay tribute to Mary and clap for our carers.

“Each week, the claps get louder and it’s an emotional, united moment as we fight this devastating virus together.

"I would like to thank Mary and all of our other frontline heroes for everything they are doing to protect our community and save lives.”

Paul Fuller, Chief Fire Officer at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Last night was a very moving minutes silence at both Bedford and Luton and Dunstable hospitals to remember Mary and all the other NHS staff who have given so much to our community.

“This was followed by clapping in support of all those brave NHS and care workers who continue to fight on.

“The fire service’s participation as a strong gesture of appreciation of all the people in NHS and public services for the amazing work they are doing, often placed at personal risk to do so.

"It also provides a strong opportunity for mutual support between our entwined emergency and medical services.

“I am proud of everything our firefighters and staff are stepping up to do activities outside of their normal roles to help our communities during this terrible time.”

The county’s emergency services also honoured Captain Tom Moore yesterday, as he completed 100 laps of the garden of his Bedfordshire home before his 100th birthday, raising over £18 million for NHS Charities Together.

Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service visited Captain Moore to applaud his achievement and thank him for his amazing fundraising work on behalf of the county.

Chief Constable Forsyth added: “At a time of darkness, he is the absolute ray of light breaking through the clouds. We salute you Captain Moore for being an inspiration to us all during these difficult times.”

Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=de2Lterrvd4 to watch the applause for Captain Tom Moore.