A WELSH Ambulance Service paramedic who died from Covid-19 has been honoured by his friends and colleagues.

Gerallt Davies MBE, a Pontardawe paramedic at Cwmbwrla Ambulance Station, died in April after contracting the virus.

Today, a rapid response vehicle inscribed with the 51-year-old’s pin number – 6332 – was unveiled in his memory.

Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Gerallt’s passing was a devastating blow for us all, and his loss is still being sorely felt across the organisation.

“Over the years, Gerallt helped thousands of people, many of whom would not be walking around Wales today if it wasn’t for his skill and commitment as a paramedic.

“There are a hundred ways we could have honoured Gerallt and his larger than life personality, but to dedicate an emergency vehicle seems a fitting tribute to both the man and the profession he loved.”

Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Director of Operations, added: “Gerallt was ambulance through and through, and dedicated his life to helping other people.

“He was not just a valued member of our team but of St John Ambulance Cymru, where he’d volunteered for more than 40 years, starting out as a cadet.

“While he’s no longer with us, his legacy will live on, and the dedication of this vehicle is a wonderful way for us to remember our dear friend and colleague.”

Gerallt joined the Welsh Ambulance Service in 1994 and was also St John Ambulance Cymru’s National Operations Officer, a role for which he was awarded an MBE in 2019 for his services to first aid provision in Wales.

In his role at St John, Gerallt was instrumental in the creation of the Swansea Help Point and also oversaw the charity’s work at Liberty Stadium, where he co-ordinated the first aid provision for 2016’s UEFA Champions League.

Lee Collins, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Locality Manager in Swansea, who organised the vehicle’s livery along with Clinical Team Leader David Bowen, said: “Gerallt was a much-loved and well-respected paramedic here in Swansea, whose loss is being felt in the community he served and beyond.

“The dedication of this vehicle is our small way of paying tribute to our fallen colleague.”