NEWS

Donation in memory of Paramedic Paul Patterson

A grieving family, friends and co-workers have found a way to honour their loved one. The late Paul Patterson, a 30 year old Paramedic, died tragically when his vehicle slid off an icy road and rolled over while en route to an emergency last February near Blenheim.

Clara and Wayne Patterson, Paramedic Jamie Herrington and Thames EMS Station Manager Paul VanDyk recently presented an $8,000 donation made in Memory of Paul to Lorna Campbell, vice-chair, SMGH Foundation Board. (pictured below)

During the presentation, stories and memories were shared of Paul who is survived by his soul mate Claire Owens, her son Brenden, his parents, brother and sister.

"He chose his path and he really loved it," said Clara Patterson.

"He was always eager to help and volunteered many hours with EMS before he became a full-time paramedic."

His mother, Clara, also recalled how Paul got his nick-name of 'Flare' which he was commonly known as.

"Most people think his nick-name was because of his beautiful red hair but really it was because he attempted to set-up roadside flares at the scene of the accident where a car hit a gas main," she said.

"The other paramedics stopped him from setting up the flares that time because of the danger with the gas main break, that's how he got the nickname," added Paramedic Jamie Herrington, "he certainly had a flare for life!"

As a dedicated paramedic, passionate about his job and life, Paul touched the lives and hearts of many in our region. He is remembered as one who put himself in harm's way to provide emergency care to those in need.

The donation was the result of a memorial golf tournament spearheaded by Jen Woodiwiss, a fellow paramedic and close friend of Paul's. The tournament was held last June where 144 golfers took to the greens at Caradoc Sands in Strathroy, Ontario.

After enjoying 18 holes of golf, both golfers and dinner guests placed their bids on silent auction items donated generously by local businesses.

This donation made in memory of Paul Patterson will go toward the CT scanner campaign of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance. So far in 2007 over 2,227 people have received CT scans at Strathroy Hospital (in conjunction with Four Counties Hospital in Newbury).