A CHRISTMAS Day workforce in Nottingham is preparing to leave loved ones at home this week to serve their communities.
While most people are unwrapping presents, tucking into a turkey dinner and having one drink too many on Christmas Day, a host of unsung heroes will be hard at work.
Whether it's waiting on tables, driving taxis or delivering emergency care, they are all needed to ensure others have a happy and safe day.
Lauren Fox will be the reassuring voice at the end of the telephone for anyone who dials 999 for an ambulance between 7pm on Christmas Day and 7am Boxing Day morning. Lauren, 21, from Stapleford, is a call-handler for the East Midlands Ambulance Service. She said: "It gets really busy, but we have a vital job to do.
"Our team are hoping to do a bit of a buffet and take turns to have some food."
Rachel Milgate could also find herself saving lives on Christmas Day for 12 hours from 7am.
The deputy sister on the Queen's Medical Centre's Adult Intensive Care Unit said: "It's nice to feel that you are making a bit of a difference while everyone else is at home having a nice time. I tend to have Christmas a different day, just to have a proper day with my family. But on the ward we try to create a festive spirit and it's important for morale."
Firefighter Chris Emmott and his team at Highfields Fire Station will be sitting down to a Christmas dinner at work, knowing they could be called out at any minute.
Mr Emmott, who has been in the job since 2008, said: "Working on Christmas Day is something that is needed. I used to be in the army so I am used to working over Christmas.
"It's become a little more difficult as I have two young children now, so it will be hard, but people can be vulnerable over Christmas and need help. We will all try and sit down and have a Christmas dinner, if there's time."
Many people will be facing a lonely Christmas having recently had an accident and will need help during the day. For some of those people, Helen Butler will be on hand.
Mrs Butler, a reablement support worker for Nottinghamshire County Council, will be on duty helping the elderly cope in their own homes.
She said: "It's a rewarding job. It's a vulnerable time for them and they need the support that we can offer them.
"I have worked Christmas Day before, I don't mind, it's all part of the service.
"This job is so nice I am very, very lucky."
Paul Pritchard will ensure that people who need to travel on Christmas Day have a car.
The call handler at Nottingham Cars has been in the job for 15 years and covers Christmas Day every year.
Mr Pritchard, said: "We're open 24 hours and we never close. I can't let the manager down so I do my shift."
