Paramedic Chris Kids Books – Available Now
Ambulance chaplain pens hero paramedic children’s books after son’s life saved in 999 call-out
A former frontline ambulance chaplain has been inspired to write a series of hero paramedic children’s books after his newborn son’s life was saved in a 999 call-out.
Tim Parsons, from Gillingham in Kent, spent six years attending emergency calls riding alongside crews from South East Coast Ambulance Service.
He began working with them in 2015 after his then three-day-old son Daniel suffered a seizure and stopped breathing. Tim dialled 999 and a paramedic team was able to resuscitate him – saving the youngster’s life.
It was this terrifying moment that prompted the 42-year-old to take on the role of volunteer ambulance chaplain, where he helped crews deal with everything from minor injuries to major traumas.
He has since turned his experiences into a series of children’s books, focusing on the adventures of Paramedic Chris – named in honour of a real-life colleague.
Tim, who lives with wife Caroline and three boys William, 15, Daniel, 10, and Joshua, six, said: “Paramedics do amazing work, and if it wasn’t for them my son wouldn’t be here today. When Daniel became ill that day and spent two long weeks in hospital, our eldest William had to stay at home, filled with worry and with no way to make sense of what was happening.
“I wish back then we’d had a book or story to help comfort and reassure him.
What happened next?
“It got me thinking – we have Fireman Sam, but where’s the equivalent for the ambulance service? I wanted people to see paramedics as the heroes they are.”
On one of Tim’s first ever shifts, he worked alongside a paramedic called Chris who talked of how his young daughter had written about her experiences of being diagnosed with cancer.
Tim said: “I’d been going through a really tough time then. I had lost my dad to prostate cancer and, soon after, I had to step down from my training as a Baptist minister due to a breakdown.
“Hearing Chris talk about his daughter was a lightbulb moment for me and from that point writing became my therapy.”
The first Paramedic Chris book launched in 2018 – based on a real experience that Tim and the team had with a hoax 999 call. He has since written three more books – all based on real-life incidents.
His latest adventure is Paramedic Chris and the Runaway Chicken.
“I wanted to find a fun, engaging way to help children and families learn about the work of paramedic crews and what it’s like to go through medical emergencies by providing age-appropriate reassurance and understanding. Chris has been a great friend to me so I knew I wanted to name my main character after him.
“Writing these books for the parents sitting in sterile waiting rooms. I write for the siblings who don’t know why mum and dad are crying. I write to remind every reader that they are not alone.”
The books have been well received
Tim has been delighted at the positive feedback his books have received.
He said: “The most memorable comment I’ve had so far is from somebody whose child needs regular hospital care but is frightened of going. So each time they have an appointment, they read my books and that calms their child down. It’s really exciting to hear my books have helped a family in this way.
“The real paramedic Chris also plays my audiobook in his ambulance when he’s transporting young patients to help reassure them, and I’ve heard of crews in some other areas doing the same. It’s a fantastic idea and I’d love for other ambulance teams to follow suit.
“I have many more stories to tell, so if I can sell more books then that will give me the funds I need to continue publishing.”
Tim is also hoping to use the proceeds from book sales to fund a retreat in his local community to support people with mental health issues.
He said: “It’s always been important for me to give back to the community and to help other people. I know what it’s like to go through tough times and I’ve had so much help and support from friends and from the medical profession over the years.
“That’s why I’d love to be able to open a retreat to help other people who might be struggling with their mental health. I really believe that if communities can come together to support one another then anything is possible.”
- The Paramedic Chris books are available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats on Amazon, or find out more at: paramedicchriskidsbooks.org
