AN Okehampton ambulance technician who has been at the heart of emergency rescue missions all over the world has been given a top award for his work.
Graham Payne, who lives at Jacobstowe, has been presented with the South West Regional Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NHS.
Graham became a cadet in the Red Cross in 1954 and joined the Ambulance Service in Okehampton in 1972.
He joined the International Rescue Corp in 1983 and founded the charity Rapid UK (Rescue and Preparedness in Disasters) in 1995.
His citation states: 'Graham reflects the qualities of a caring and committed member of the Health Service, a commitment that he has taken further by founding Rapid UK, an organisation which provides a life saving function to areas where disaster strikes.
'There are people in the areas where Graham has worked who would not be alive had it not been for Rapid UK and there are areas where, because of his projects, local people are better prepared in the event of a disaster.'
The citation said Graham is a 'true reflection of the underpinning principles of the NHS'.
Rapid UK, an entirely voluntary organisation, responds to natural disasters anywhere in the world, often in the poorest areas and in difficult and dangerous locations.
The charity has been involved on missions in Taiwan, Turkey, Peru, Columbia, Honduras and Bangladesh.
Not only does Rapid help in disasters, it trains people to prepare for emergencies — as a result, groups like Rapid Turkey and Rapid Spain have now been set up.
Just last week, four members of Rapid UK flew to Turkey to provide search and rescue training, basic disaster management and medical workshops.
Stefan Hopkins, spokesman for Rapid UK, said: 'Obviously we are delighted for Graham — he has dedicated almost all his working life to others and he is an example to us all.'
Mr Hopkins said Graham was a 'stalwart' member of Rapid UK, which owed much of its success to Graham's dedication.
'We are now a world-wide organisation, not simply a British search and rescue team, and it's down to the efforts of people like Graham.
'He's a modest chap, but he's done so much for us.'