A boy who handed out ice lollies to firefighters and paramedics on a sweltering summer's day has been thanked with a personal trip to an ambulance station.
Four-year-old Stanley Dunmore gave out the frozen treats to firefighters and paramedics working in 28C heat outside his home at the height of the heatwave in late June.
A keen admirer of the emergency services, Staneley asked his parents whether he could empty out the freezer as soon as he saw them working outside.
EAST OF ENGLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE
|Four-year-old Stanley Dunmore handed out ice lollies to firefighters and paramedics working in 28C heat outside his home
Lauren Foss, his mother, said: "Stanley absolutely loves the emergency services, so when he saw them outside, he was beyond excited.
"Offering the ice lollies was his idea - he just wanted to do something nice for the people helping others. We're so proud of him."
Now, the crews who were so grateful for the refreshments while they attended to a scene for five hours, have organised a personal thank you for the boy.
The East of England Ambulance Service and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service invited the four-year-old to Colchester Ambulance Station.
EAST OF ENGLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE
|The East of England Ambulance Service and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service invited the four-year-old to Colchester Ambulance Station
There, he enjoyed a tour of the emergency vehicles, and received a thank-you gift.
Jamie Mallet, a leading operations manager at the ambulance service, was one of the responders touched by Dunmore's generosity.
As such, he ensured the family were personally thanked after the tour.
"Stanley's simple act of kindness made a big different to our crews on a very hot and demanding day," Mallet said.
EAST OF ENGLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE
|Dunmore enjoyed a tour of the emergency vehicles, and received gifts of appreciation
EAST OF ENGLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE
|A member of the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service 'Stanley reminded us of the strong community spirit that underpins everything we do.'
"It's moments like these that remind us how much community support means to us, and we were keen to thank Stanley and his family after the event."
Nick Singleton, an incident commander at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: "In the middle of a long and challenging callout, Stanley's kindness gave all of us a real boost.
"Working in full firefighting kit on a hot summer's day is no easy task, and his thoughtful gesture was a timely and much-needed morale lift for the whole team.
"It's heartwarming to see such compassion from someone so young, and we were all genuinely touched.
"Stanley reminded us of the strong community spirit that underpins everything we do."