FOREST of Dean Ambulance Service station officer Roger Vaughan will have a very special recruit at his side for a Christmas day shift – his daughter Hannah.
Hannah, 25, joined the service three years ago to work in the finance department but quickly decided she would like to go into active service.
"I am extremely proud of her. She has put in a great deal of hard work and her efforts have paid off," said Roger.
"I look forward to working with 'my little girl' for many years to come."
Her training began six months ago when she went for a driving assessment. Then followed six weeks at the regional training centre in Chippenham.
She has been working with the ambulance service in Gloucester for the last two weeks and she actually qualifies as a trainee technician, which means she can go operational, in Christmas week.
"Our shift on Christmas day from Coleford Ambulance Station is one of the first she will be undertaking," said Roger.
To qualify for her ambition to be a paramedic she will have to spend a year in active service then undergo a further two years' more training, he said.
While everyone else tucks into their turkey and Christmas pudding the ambulance service will have three shifts to cover Christmas day in the Forest – three two-person crews for the day and evening shifts and two crews for the night shift.
"We wish everyone, especially our staff, a happy Christmas ... and, if possible, a quiet one for them and us!" said Roger.