Medal for hospital's Army reservist

Army reservist and Sunderland girl Alex Cairns earned a silver medal in one of the world’s toughest patrol exercises.

Alex, who works as an emergency nurse practitioner in Sunderland Royal Hospital’s Emergency Department, serves as a corporal with Newcastle-based 201 Field Hospital, which provides clinical support to the Regular Army on operational tours in times of conflict, peacekeeping and humanitarian situations.

She became one of the first women from the Army Medical Services to receive a medal when she took part in the 2019 Cambrian Patrol.

The exercise is the premier patrolling event of the British Army and also attracts the very best from armies around the globe. Held annually in the Brecon Beacons, in Wales, it is both mentally and physically demanding, testing all the basic military skills required of a modern-day soldier and enhancing leadership ability and levels of endurance and determination.

The patrolling mission is conducted over a mind-and-muscle-sapping 37 miles and involves carrying full personal kit and equipment.

Alex, 29, who lives in Sunderland, had only one hour’s fitful sleep over the course of a gruelling 55 hours. She said: “As I was carrying 44kg of kit across the grimmest mountainous terrain I have ever come across, knee-deep in mud and in lashing rain, there were a couple of moments when I did ask myself what I was doing there. I am very proud to have received a silver medal. It was a fantastic privilege to be part of the 201 Field Hospital team.”