Christmas surprise for long-serving Air Ambulance paramedic

This Christmas, Center Parcs has given one family the ultimate Christmas surprise…the gift of time.

Witham St Hughes family Roger and Dionne Linnell and their six-year-old son, Cameron, were treated to a surprise short break at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest, complete with Christmas decorations, a weekend of festive activities and a Christmas dinner prepared by Group Executive Chef, James Haywood.

Unit Manager Roger has been a paramedic in the Air Ambulance for 28 years, a job which, by its very nature includes long hours and time away from his family. In his 15 years with the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, Roger has spent more than one third of his Christmases at work.

Dionne wanted to give Roger the chance to spend some quality time with both her and their son.

“Family time is everything to us,” said Dionne. “Roger puts his all into his job and I see how tired he is when he comes home. It’s a 365-days-a-year role and there isn’t time to have off with the family.”

Dionne added that Cameron can go almost a week without seeing his dad.

“For every person Roger has helped over the years, there’s a wedding invite he’s turned down, a family party he’s missed, a Christmas dinner gone uneaten or a birthday not celebrated. What’s especially hard for Roger is missing moments in Cameron’s life, like parent’s evening, sports days and even reading him a bedtime story.”

Center Parcs understands the importance of spending time together, away from the distractions, stresses and busyness of day-to-day life. When the team heard about Roger’s commitment, they wanted to make this Christmas an extra special one and, with the help of co-conspirator Dionne, set up the perfect Winter Wonderland break.

Roger arrived at Center Parcs under the pretence that he had won a meal for his family. Instead, he was surprised by a weekend break in the heart of the forest, giving him four days of time devoted to his family.

“The weekend gave us a chance to relax without looking at our watches or listening out for alarms for work,” said Roger. “We were able to focus on being a family. Dionne and Cameron are the two most important people in my life and you can’t put a value on spending time with them.”

Bron: CP Uk