Anglia Lift Off Issue 46 Spring 2017

LiftOff Anglia

Issue 46 Spring 2017

RECOGNITION FOR EAAA AT PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS NIGHT

ALAN’S AIRLIFT Patient meets his lifesavers Page 4

STORE DASH Lions prize for Margaret Page 15

Playing EAAA Lottery for 7 months buys a blizzard blanket to keep patients

SADDLE UP Cycling challenges Page 16

Sign up on page

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warm...

Together we save lives

Charity No. 1083876

LiftOff Anglia

Welcome

ISSUE 46 SPRING 2017

Contents Gym staff CPR saves Alan

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Our missions

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Award for EAAA pilot

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Recruiting new clinicians

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Take on a charity challenge

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Your fundraising

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Summer cycling events

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Dates for your diary

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Proud moment for Jamie

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Corporate thanks

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Classic car is generous gift

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Lottery news

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Contact Us Your regional fundraiser:

North Cambridgeshire/West Norfolk – Chris Donaldson 94 Culley Court, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE2 6WA 01733 367208 / christopher.donaldson@eaaa.org.uk South Cambridgeshire/ West Suffolk – Barbara McGee Melbourn Science Park, Cambridge Road, Melbourn SG8 6EE 01763 262697 / barbara.mcgee@eaaa.org.uk Bedfordshire Please note the Bedfordshire fundraising team’s address and telephone number is now the same as the Melbourn office’s above. email: area6@eaaa.org.uk Suffolk – Sophie Mathew 9 Alpha Business Park, White House Road, Ipswich IP1 5LT 01473 745007 / sophie.mathew@eaaa.org.uk Norfolk – Holly Lambert Hangar E, Gambling Close, Norwich Airport, Norwich NR6 6EG 01603 489406 / holly.lambert@eaaa.org.uk General enquiries: Website: Email: Lottery:

03332 725 957 www.eaaa.org.uk info@eaaa.org.uk lottery@eaaa.org.uk

Charity number:

1083876

Editor: Design: Print:

Clare Phillips liftoff@eaaa.org.uk barberjackson.com barnwellprint.co.uk

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Thank you for supporting East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

With your help our two medical teams will continue saving lives day and night, 365 days a year.

Whether you support us by playing our lottery, as a volunteer who gives their time so generously or by taking part in one of our special events - your efforts can make the difference between life and death to the patients we attend.

We need your feedback If you’ve received this issue of Anglia Lift Off in the post then with it you’ll have found a survey about the magazine.

Please do respond – because it’s important for us to improve our communication with and information for our supporters. Many people now read the magazine on our website instead of having a paper copy – and if you’d prefer to answer our survey online too please go to www.djsresearch. co.uk/EAAASurvey. Or use the envelope supplied to send it back.

Proud night for EAAA As we went to press last time, we were looking forward to the Air Ambulance Awards for Excellence. I’m proud and delighted to say that EAAA won more

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By using Carbon Balanced Paper through the World Land Trust on this publication we have offset 2690kg of Carbon & preserved 225sqm of critically threatened tropical forests.

Carbon Balanced Paper. One of the most sustainable forms of communication that will reduce your carbon foot print and promote CSR. www.carbonbalancedpaper.com

Cover picture: Steve Norris Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year award (see page 8)

awards that evening than any other air ambulance charity. Congratulations are due to Captain Steve Norris for winning Pilot of the Year and who is featured on page 8, our amazing volunteer Jamie Edghill (read more about him on page 20) for winning Volunteer of the Year and to our Medical Director Alastair Wilson who - to his total surprise as he had no idea he’d been nominated – won a Lifetime Achievement Award.

EAAA award winners (L-R) Steve Norris, Alastair Wilson, Jamie Edghill

While it’s lovely to be recognised like this – what’s really important is our day to day work, helping people in their hour of need - and we couldn’t do that without you.

I’m proud and delighted to say that EAAA won more awards that evening than any other air ambulance charity.

Thank you for helping EAAA, together we save lives.

Jo Dew Director of Fundraising.

PS Please don’t forget to complete the survey and help us to better keep in touch with you – and you could win £100.

Raffle News Our annual raffles make a significant contribution to our fundraising. Thank you if you have supported us through our recent spring draw – the winners will be picked just as this magazine is published.

And congratulations to the winners of our Christmas raffle who were:

£3,000 – Mrs B. Pendle in Felixstowe; £1,000 – Mrs V. Underwood, Great Yarmouth and £500 – Mrs P. Hobbs, Leighton Buzzard.

Details of the 10 £50 winners can be found on our website.

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Airlift for Alan after collapse at gym A routine trip to his local leisure centre as part of a fitness regime after a heart attack 12 years ago, turned into a fight for his life earlier this year for a Suffolk man, resulting in him being airlifted to hospital.

Alan Hartley, 68, from Elmswell was at Everyone Active Leisure Centre in Stowmarket when he collapsed on a treadmill, suffering a heart attack and going into cardiac arrest in January.

Fortunately, due to the quick thinking of gym staff, a rapid response from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and enhanced pre-hospital emergency medical care from the crew

“it took just 14 minutes to get to Norwich, which although wasn’t the nearest hospital it was where the clinicians knew I would get the specialist treatment I needed.”

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Alan (L) and son Andrew, who is a paramedic

aboard EAAA’s Anglia Two, who flew him to a specialist unit, Alan’s life was saved.

Just three weeks after the incident Alan was able to return to the leisure centre to thank some of those who came to his aid.

Becky Cruikshank from Everyone Active was the first to respond to the emergency and said: “I saw Alan on the floor and knew something wasn’t right. I shouted for help immediately. It was apparent Alan wasn’t breathing and I began chest compressions.”

Her colleague Steve Ward retrieved the gym’s defibrillator and following the instructions, administered the first and most vital shock. Medics were soon on the scene with staff from EEAST attending to Alan, before the arrival of the EAAA team.

On board the helicopter that day were Dr Jonathan Ritson and Critical Care Paramedic Jemma Varela. They were able to provide enhanced pre-hospital level care.

Jemma said: “This proves how important it is to know CPR – when a bystander gets involved it can significantly increase the survival rate of a cardiac arrest victim. We worked closely with our colleagues from EEAST – they and the staff at the gym had already made a fantastic effort that morning and we were then able to transport Alan to the most appropriate hospital for his care needs. I’m delighted to hear that he has now made such a good recovery.”

Alan was flown to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he remained for just three days before being discharged.

He later learnt that he had suffered a total blockage of his anterior lateral artery and is likely to return to hospital at some point for further surgery.

The heart attack happened as Alan was about to begin his cool-down walk on the treadmill. He remembers coming round on the floor with the clinicians all around him before being prepared for the flight to hospital. He said: “The ground was very uneven where the aircraft had landed and it wasn’t easy for them to get the stretcher into the helicopter but once it was it took just 14 minutes to get to Norwich, which although wasn’t the nearest hospital it was where the clinicians knew I would get the specialist treatment I needed.”

“It’s been great to see everyone, they saved my life. I know these guys don’t do this job for the credit but they really deserve it in my case.” He added: “The gym staff don’t go to work and expect to save a life and for that I owe them so much; it’s amazing to be able to thank them in person.”

Alan’s recovery is continuing, although he is not yet allowed to resume his usual fitness routine. He is now planning a visit to Cambridge to meet the Anglia Two crew. He added: “My son, Andrew, is a paramedic on the south coast and has worked on his local air ambulance, so I already knew about the worthwhile work of these charities. But he’s told me there are better ways to try to get a free ride in a helicopter than this!”

When he returned to thank some of the clinicians and leisure centre staff, Alan said:

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Recent Missions Read about our missions and view the mission map at eaaa.org.uk These pages feature a snapshot of the different types of incidents we attend.

If you take a picture of either of our aircraft

we could publish it here or on social media – please send it to liftoff@eaaa.org.uk

Facts and figures since our last issue In October we set a new record for EAAA missions with a total of 240. In the four months between then and the end of January the crews of Anglia One and Anglia Two were tasked 878 times treating 568 patients. We flew 41 after-dark missions. The Anglia One helicopter and rapid response vehicle assisted 233 patients and Anglia Two’s crews cared for 335. Between them 91 people were airlifted to hospital and 252 were taken to hospital by road escorted by our clinicians. More patients needed our help after being injured in road accidents (171) than any other type of emergency.

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At the end of November we reached a ‘missions milestone’ attending the 20,000th call-out since our service began.

It happened on Tuesday 29 November 2016, in Saffron Walden, Essex at 10:57pm.

The incident was a road collision and in attendance were Doctor Marcel Rigaud, Critical Care Paramedic Gary Spitzer with pilots Captain Gavin Blake and Captain Chris Sherriff. EAAA provided ground assistance to the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

A young boy suffered very serious injuries after he fell from a height. Anglia One’s clinicians gave him a general anaesthetic at the scene and put measures in place to protect his brain before he was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for specialist treatment.

Anglia One landed at Carrow Fire Station in Norwich after firefighters went to the aid of a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest. The crew were able to stabilise him before accompanying him to hospital by road.

Anglia One was called to attend a baby girl who had suffered a serious medical incident. The infant was assessed and stabilised before being taken to hospital by road with the EAAA medics travelling with her.

This stunning picture of the London Stadium at night was taken by Critical Care Paramedic Rob Riches as the crew returned to base after flying a patient to a London hospital.

A woman in her seventies who had suffered a cardiac arrest was treated at the scene by paramedics and First Responders until the crew of Anglia Two arrived to give specialist pre-hospital care. She was then taken by road to a specialist unit with the EAAA clinicians travelling with her to continue their care.

The Anglia One crew were the first on the scene when a man suffered a serious injury in a fall. After treating him at the scene they accompanied him to hospital in a land ambulance.

The clinicians from Anglia Two drove in a rapid response vehicle to an incident in which an elderly man suffered head injuries in a collision with a bicycle. They travelled with him in the land ambulance to continue treatment.

A woman suffered serious leg injuries in a horse-riding accident. Anglia One attended and the patient was treated at the scene before being flown to hospital for further treatment.

Anglia Two was the first ambulance on the scene at a multi-vehicle road collision in Cambridgeshire. The clinicians treated two patients at the scene – a woman in her twenties who was taken to hospital by road and a man in his forties with a head injury who was accompanied in the land ambulance by the Anglia Two medics.

An elderly man who had suffered burns was treated by the crew of Anglia Two in a night-time mission. He was taken to a specialist burns unit by road, with the air ambulance clinicians attending to him en-route.

The crew of Anglia Two attended a motorcyclist in his twenties who had been injured in a collision. They gave him pain relief and he was taken to hospital by road.

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Meet a member of the team Air Ambulance Pilot – Captain Steve Norris Steve Norris has spent more than 10 years working with EAAA and is a regular member of the crew aboard Anglia One flying out of Norwich. Recently he was awarded the prestigious Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year award at a gala black tie event the Air Ambulance Awards in London.

When Steve joined Sterling Helicopters (the company providing our aircraft at the time) in 2006 EAAA had just taken delivery of its first BK117 helicopter. Since then he’s flown four different aircraft as an EAAA pilot and now captains the H145

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from Norwich by day and, during winter months, at night. Having flown army helicopters before joining EAAA, Steve had enjoyed flying the different types of helicopter during his career but the current Anglia One is the most technical and sophisticated he’s encountered.

As well as flying the clinicians to any medical emergency that may need them, an EAAA pilot also has to carry out a detailed inspection of the helicopter each day including engines, rotors and body to ensure it is fit to fly. They also study the weather and brief the clinicians at the start of the shift about weather conditions, any aviation warnings or perhaps if there is an issue with a hospital helipad. Although the pilots aren’t medically trained, they all, including Steve, may help the clinicians at an incident by carrying equipment or bags for them.

During his time with EAAA Steve has piloted the aircraft to some unusual locations.

He said: “I’ve touched down on the Orwell Bridge near Ipswich and on the top of multi-storey car parks. The most tricky landings are usually in town centres or built up areas because of the space available.”

Back at base, another part of Steve’s job involves telling visitors about the helicopter.

He particularly enjoys meeting patients the medics have helped, who sometimes come to thank the crews. He said: “It’s so nice to see someone back to full health, especially when the last time I saw them they might have been close to death. We always welcome patients coming to the hangar to meet the crew and we love to know how they are getting on with their recovery.”

shift. He is the person the fundraisers seek out when arranging a hangar tour and the Captain the Operations department look for when in need of practical aviation advice.”

Steve himself modestly played down his achievement. He said: “I have the easy job in flying a helicopter. The really difficult work is done by the fundraising staff who put in so much effort to keep this service going. It really is a brilliant charity.”

Recently one such patient visit made a particular impression on Steve. He said: “This was a man in his fifties who had gone into cardiac arrest on the coast. He was fortunate in that close to where he had collapsed there was a defibrillator located and it had been used for emergency CPR. We were able to continue the treatment and flew him to hospital.

He came back to see us only a matter of weeks later and he was already back at work by then. It’s meeting someone like him, who was moments from death, that makes my job so rewarding.”

Away from work Steve enjoys cycling and spending time with his wife and five-yearold daughter. He also likes rebuilding and restoring old vehicles and is currently working on an Aston Martin.

When Steve was named as Air Ambulance Pilot of the Year the whole of EAAA was delighted. His nomination for the award read: “Steve is universally loved within our Charity. He is the reason for a clinician’s smile when they see him rostered on their

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Delivering Excellence One of the questions we’re often asked is how to get a job aboard the air ambulance helicopter. Our clinical crews are made up of a doctor and a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) and jobs in this area of healthcare are sought after.

The CCPs are all employed by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust rather than directly by the Charity. Some work permanently aboard our helicopters but others join on secondments of three years.

Recently EAAA and our neighbouring air ambulance service covering Essex and Hertfordshire have been holding a recruitment drive and we were swamped with applications from paramedics working on land ambulances wishing to join us.

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Jo Bromley Paramedic Critical Care Jo Bromley is a CCP and Air Operations Supervisor at our Cambridge Base and was closely involved in the recruitment process.

She said: “Once qualified as a paramedic the career progression opportunities can be quite limited, especially for those not looking to further their careers in management or training roles. The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) paramedic jobs allow these clinicians to develop enhanced skills meaning they can give a greater level of pre-hospital care to a seriously ill person.

But it is a very demanding job too and we have to be sure that we’re recruiting the right candidates.”

The selection process involves several stages.

The shortlisted applicants first of all have to take and pass a clinical exam. The successful ones are then invited to a challenging, daylong selection event. If they get through that they will then undertake an observer day aboard the air ambulance to see how they cope with the flying aspect of the job and the incidents the crews attend, which by the nature of the service are often the most serious of medical emergencies. Their ability to fit into what is a close knit team is vital. Finally there is an interview to pass as well.

Jo added: “At the selection event they are tested on their fitness as well as their medical skills. There are several different situations that are staged by clinicians and marked by a doctor and CCP. The candidates are timed at each stage. It might include giving advanced life

support, using a ventilator or arriving at what appears to be a very chaotic scene and taking charge to give the patient the treatment they need and get them to the most appropriate hospital. It’s an incredibly stressful day for the candidates.”

Once selected for the job the successful candidate will work their way up to being a qualified CCP. As well as further training it also involves working a set number of shifts alongside a doctor to reach the qualification.

Once appointed as a CCP it allows the clinician to use a wider range of drugs on a patient, carry out sedation and work with a doctor to give anaesthetics.

The recent opportunities to work with the two air ambulance services were open to paramedics from across the country, not just those already working in the East of England.

But Jo is quick to point out that the job does not just involve working aboard the helicopter.

At the selection event they are tested on their fitness as well as their medical skills

She added: “We have shifts when the CCP will be on duty in a rapid response vehicle and they will also be on the critical care desk in the control room, where we manage the five aircraft in the region and decide on the most appropriate calls for the teams to attend.”

So for those who’d like to work as a CCP based aboard Anglia One or Anglia Two it’s a demanding process. But with the right skills and experience it will be a very rewarding job for someone. Jo concluded: “When we offer that paramedic the job at the end of the selection event we need to be sure we left no stone unturned to find them.”

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EAAA Chal If you’d like to take on an amazing challenge to help EAAA then these are the pages for you. From skydiving to trekking through some of Britain’s most scenic countryside, we’d love to have you on board. If you’d prefer a two-wheeled challenge, page 16 has details of forthcoming cycling events.

THe Big LEAAAP

On Saturday May 20 we’re inviting you to become a lifesaver by taking on the most incredible leap of your life. Join around 50 Big LEAAAP jumpers at Ellough Airfield near Beccles as they all complete the challenge in one day - experiencing the thrill of freefall tandem skydive and knowing that by doing so, you’re saving lives. It’s one of the most exhilarating way of raising money there is… as supporter Hannah Eagling (pictured above) will testify. She raised more than £500 through a skydive at Ellough last autumn – will you be inspired to do the same?

No experience is necessary and following a short pre-jump briefing, you will board an aircraft and soar to around 13,000 feet (approximately two miles high!). During the six minutes or so under the parachute, you will enjoy breath-taking bird’s eye views of the East Anglian countryside.

All you need to do is be brave, smile and enjoy your Big LEAAAP.

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TrekFest 2017

But if you’d rather keep your feet firmly on the ground then perhaps the challenge of TrekFest is how you’ll put the FUN into fundraising? We have two opportunities to join the UK’s ultimate trekking challenge over a distance of either 25 or 50km.

Trek through the Brecon Beacons in June, including to the summit of one of the highest peaks in South Wales Pen Y Fan or choose the Peak District in September.

Each route requires minimal navigation and includes regular checkpoints and For mor e informa refreshments. tio n about e ither of these ch allenge s please lo ok at the even ts section of our website .

llenges Virgin Money London Marathon

Once again EAAA has five Gold Bond runners raising money for the Charity by running this iconic 26.2 mile event on April 23. We wish the very best of luck to everyone who has chosen to support EAAA through this event including a number of people who are using their ballot place to raise money. Our Gold Bond runners are: Michael Cooper from Newmarket, Darren Walsgrove from Norwich, Emily Upton from Duxford, Gill Smith from Watton and Martin Smith from Cambridge.

• If running a marathon sounds a bit daunting then perhaps our Glow in The Park 5k run holds more appeal. This early evening event takes place on Saturday October 21 at the East of England Showground at Peterborough.

Save the date and visit our website for entry information.

Only The Brave 2017

As we went to press our second Mud Obstacle Race was shaping up to be a fantastic weekend at the beginning of April. Once again the Elveden Estate was kindly hosting the challenge and an army of volunteers were helping to make it happen, alongside our generous corporate sponsors. After the success of 2016 we’d made this year’s event tougher, muddier and more gruelling. Our thanks to everyone who was brave enough to take it on.

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Fabulous

FUNDRAISING

Could you be a lifesaver by organising a fundraiser? If you’d like to get involved please visit www.eaaa.org.uk or contact your local office, see page 2.

Pictured here are members of Bury St Edmunds Golf Club which chose EAAA as the Captains’ Charity for 2016.

They raised a magnificent £5,000.

Friends Katie Duehring and Gilly Sillett are planning a trip of a lifetime with a 10 day trek through Uganda in November.

They’ve organised a range of fundraising activities between them including a spooky Halloween party and a sponsored walk in Ipswich’s Christchurch Park. Having already smashed their target to raise enough to cover one EAAA mission – they hope to raise thousands more in the next few months. Support them by visiting www.katieandgillysfundraising.co.uk.

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Super supporter 85-year-old Betty Kemp from Attleborough has raised more than £50,000 for EAAA since she started supporting us 13 years ago. She’s held coffee mornings, bric-a-brac sales and even completed a parachute jump to raise money. Area Fundraising Manager for Norfolk Holly Lambert said: “Betty is amazing, she always puts a smile on the face of everyone in the office when she calls in to tell us about her fundraising.”

Thank you ...

Kate Smith put together the Trinity Fields Fundraising activities in Suffolk, including a shoot and a ball, raising over £25,000 for three charities.

EAAA was delighted to receive a donation of £11,000.

Students at Wymondham College in Norfolk are pictured here counting the donations raised through their recent non-uniform day. The event brought in more than £1,000 and EAAA was chosen because the baby son of staff member Mrs Ana Casanova, who is also a generous supporter of the Charity, had been treated by the air ambulance clinicians after becoming seriously ill.

Ellie Bithell raised more than £700 by completing the Bass Belle 10 mile race in Bassingbourn, Cambs. She was inspired to support EAAA after two members of a friend’s family were airlifted following a road accident.

Swaffham Lions held their annual Trolley Dash at the town’s Tesco store in aid of EAAA. Margaret Daniels, from King’s Lynn, was the lucky winner of the Dash. Following an inspection of the aisles, to see what was available she set off on her 90 second dash, aided by two Lions, and filled the trolley to the tune of £118. Tesco discounted the total and presented Margaret with a bouquet of flowers. The event raised £565 for the Air Ambulance.

The Clare Priory Craft Fair, held annually in the Suffolk town, made a donation of £1,000 from their 2016 event.

Beach Social Club in Waterbeach, Cambs, made us their charity of the year in 2016 and have donated over £1,300.

Heath Hatcheries of Mildenhall raised money during their winter shoot season and donated over £2,100.

Performers Billy G and the Heartbeats have been raising money through the gigs they put on and have donated over £700.

The New Cambridge Singers put on a concert at Great St Mary’s Church which raised £600, a bucket collection on the night itself brought in a further £460.

Congratulations to the Hogg family from Norfolk whose Christmas lights display raised their highest ever total – over £1,900.

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Cycling Challenges Cycling is a very popular way of raising money for charity.

EAAA is the chosen charity of several events this summer – so whether you enjoy a day out with the family at a leisurely pace or you want to take on a 100 mile challenge, please take a look at these……

Sunday 14 May – Beccles Cycle for Life Once again Beccles Rotary Club is supporting EAAA with this popular annual event. Routes start at seven miles with various distances up to a maximum of 50.

The event starts from the Sir John Leman

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High School in this North Suffolk town.

This year a big team of EAAA crew have entered – riding alongside them when you need some inspiration to keep going is the perfect way to get you to the finish line.

Whichever route you choose you’ll enjoy a great atmosphere and a medal at the end! Entry is £10 for individuals or £20 for a family of four and there are some great prizes to be won if you raise sponsorship too. Sign up at www.becclescycleforlife.org Sunday 25th June – Diss Cyclathon We have charity places available, or you can register for just £15, for this nine town sportive, now in its second year. You’ll take in the Norfolk and Suffolk countryside on a route of 25, 50 or 100 miles. Afterwards there’s a barbecue and entertainment to end your day. With £100 minimum sponsorship, you’ll also receive a limited

edition cycling jersey and a free place in Beccles Cycle for Life the month before.

Visit www.disscyclathon.org or contact holly.lambert@eaaa.org.uk.

More information can be found at www.tourdebroads.com or contact holly.lambert@eaaa.org.uk.

Sunday 23 July - Suffolk Coast Bike Ride Starting and finishing at Glemham Hall, this event offers three routes of 35, 65, and 100 miles through the wonderful coastal countryside. We are delighted to have been chosen as the charity to benefit. For more information please see the events section of our website.

Sunday 20th August – Tour De Broads Take on a brand new 100 mile route at this popular event touring the Norfolk Broads. We’re offering free charity places for a minimum £150 sponsorship – receive a limited edition cycling jersey and a free place in Beccles Cycle for Life in May to give your training a boost. With shorter routes also available there are plenty of ways to get the whole family involved.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is not keen to cycle 400 miles to still be involved in this brilliant event, and is an incredibly rewarding role.

Wednesday – Saturday 16 – 19 August – Lap of Anglia. This four-day cycling challenge has raised in excess of £60,000 since it began in 2013 and while it’s not an event for beginners, if you relish a gruelling 400 mile challenge there are still places available. The route takes the cyclists from a start and finish point at King’s Lynn, though Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Last year more than 50 cyclists took part – if you’d like to join them please visit www.lapofanglia.co.uk.

However if 400 miles in the saddle sounds a little too far but you have an interest in cycling and would like to help, we need a volunteer driver for the event support van.

Your driving licence must cover you for a van of around five tonnes when laden (if you passed your test before 2000 this should be the case). Overnight accommodation is provided but all meals must be paid for. The driver is responsible for ensuring the vehicle is fuelled and for running the Lap ‘tuck shop’ – costs for these will be reimbursed.

Area Fundraising Manager Chris Donaldson who’s been closely involved with the event since it began said: “This is a great opportunity for someone who is not keen to cycle 400 miles to still be involved in this brilliant event, and is an incredibly rewarding role.” To find out more contact Chris in our Peterborough fundraising office, see page 2.

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Events 23

[Sunday]

April

St George’s Day Classic Vehicle Rally Sheringham, Norfolk

Once again this fabulous run from Sheringham to Holkham will benefit EAAA. Our thanks to the North Norfolk Classic Vehicle Club for their support. Anyone attending the rally on the day will receive discounted entry to Holkham Hall.

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[Monday]

May

The Archdeacon’s Charge and picnic Near Aylsham, Norfolk

The owners of Wolterton Hall are kindly hosting this fantastic annual event which raises money for EAAA and local churches.

This year as well as the 10 mile run there is also a 2.5 mile option as well as plenty of entertainment including live music, crafts and classic cars. Refreshments will be available or you can bring your own picnic. Register to take part at www.dioceseofnorwich.org/charge

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[Saturday]

Spring Swing Ball King’s Lynn

Lucy Ashe whose father founded the event, accepting a prize at a previous Archdeadon’s Charge

This promises to be a night to remember in the Great Barn at Knights Hill Hotel and Spa. Enjoy fizz on arrival, a three-course meal and live music from Norfolk’s KingSize Papas, plus a raffle with great prizes and a special ‘money can’t buy’ auction.

Tickets are £45 per person or £400 for a table of ten. Corporate table sponsorship opportunities are still available at £50 and if you’d like information about this please contact our Peterborough fundraising team (see page 2) for more information.

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[Sunday]

June

Lions Club Safari Walk

Grafham Water, Cambs We are delighted that Huntingdon Grafham Water Lions Club have chosen EAAA as the charity to benefit from their annual Safari Walk. Walkers retain 90% of the money raised for their own chosen cause and 10% is donated to the Lions Club’s chosen charity. Last year’s charity benefitted by £1,000 from the Safari Walk, so called because where would you see lions but on safari! The Lions Club deal with all the organisation, all participants need do is to obtain sponsors, do the walk, and collect the money. To find out more please contact Peter Wallwork on 01487 834669. Alternatively just come along on the day before 10am.

25-28 Houghton [Thur-Sun]

International Horse Trials

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[Saturday]

The Cambridge Roar Quy Mill Hotel & Spa, Cambridge

The Corporate Games launch two weeks of summer charity events as part of the Cambridge Roar, with another fortnight of this fundraising festival in September. There are opportunities for business networking as well as fun events such as the Racing Dinner or Afternoon Tea. All events take place in a special marquee at The Quy Mill. Find out more at www.thecambridgeroar.co.uk Can you help support a ‘Roar’ event to benefit EAAA? Donations of prizes or event sponsorship are currently being sought. Please contact our Melbourn office (see page 2) to help.

near King’s Lynn

We are honoured to be the chosen charity of this prestigious equestrian event which includes the FEI Nations Cup. As well as the many attractions over the four days of the event, enjoy Camel Racing in aid of EAAA on Sunday.

Planning a fundraising event?

Call your local fundraising team (see page 2) for support and find a list of events at www.eaaa.org.uk/events

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for volunteer Jamie When Jamie Edghill was announced as the Air Ambulance Volunteer of the Year he simply couldn’t believe it.

He and his wife Maureen had been enjoying the black tie awards evening at a top London hotel and although he knew he’d been shortlisted in the final three for the award, as he listened to the citations for his fellow volunteers being announced he thought that one of the others sounded a dead cert for the title.

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However, only three weeks before the ceremony Jamie, from Cromer, had suffered a health setback and was admitted to hospital. He said: “I told the doctor looking after me that I was due to attend the Air Ambulance Awards and asked if I would be well enough to go. He promised he’d do all he could to help me recover enough for the occasion.”

After a week in hospital and several appointments with a physiotherapist, Jamie was able to go to the Awards. He said: “We’d had a lovely evening and then

when they called my name out, I couldn’t believe it. I just sat there, almost too surprised to get up and collect the award.

When I got back to our table with it, I just kept looking at it.”

Two days after the Awards Jamie was out and about in North Norfolk delivering EAAA collection tins to the numerous shops and businesses that raise money for the Charity.

The difference the air ambulance can make by bringing the emergency doctor and paramedic to the scene and reaching patients that a land ambulance might not get to, is huge.

After nearly 15 years as a volunteer with the organisation it’s the contact with people in his local area and the friends he’s made that makes it so enjoyable but he also knows only too well what a valuable service EAAA provides.

He commented: “I’m a retired firefighter, and when I was still working there wasn’t an air ambulance service for Norfolk. We would attend road accidents and see some very seriously injured people being taken to hospital some distance away and wonder if they would make it. The difference the air ambulance can make by bringing the emergency doctor and paramedic to the scene and reaching patients that a land ambulance might not get to, is huge.”

As a volunteer Jamie has become the face of EAAA in North Norfolk, with many people recognising him as he collects at local supermarkets or attends events on the Charity’s behalf. But another proud moment

came when he persuaded a former Prime Minister to buy a home made cake in aid of EAAA. He said: “I was doing a collection and cake stall at a local supermarket when I spotted Sir John Major and his wife Norma doing their shopping. He came over to me and asked me about the Air Ambulance – luckily I knew the answers to his questions – and on the spur of the moment I asked him if he’d like to buy a cake for his afternoon tea. He happened to choose one that my wife had baked so I assured him it would be a good one. It just goes to show that you never know who you will meet when volunteering for EAAA!” EAAA Area Fundraising Manager for Norfolk Holly Lambert said: “Jamie has helped to raise over half a million pounds for EAAA, which is an incredible achievement and has meant many lives have been saved. We are all so proud and delighted that he was recognised with this award and can’t thank him enough for all that he does.”

If you can offer some spare time as a volunteer we have lots of different opportunities available, so to find out more about helping us please email volunteer@eaaa.org.uk or contact your local fundraising office (see page 2).

Current volunteering opportunities also feature on our website. Volunteers get the chance to visit the helicopter and meet the crew from time to time, the group pictured here are some of our Suffolk team.

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EAAA Business Class The support given by local businesses is critical to help us save lives every day. There are many ways in which to help and we are always keen to hear from new partners. Could your business partner with EAAA to help us raise even more money? We’ll aim to devise a tailor made partnership and make sure that your business benefits too.

For more information please email: corporate@eaaa.org.uk Wildtracks Outdoor Activity Park near Newmarket chose EAAA as its charity of the year for 2016. They held a number of fundraising events including a charity fun day, with go-karting, 4x4 rides and archery.

With their regular motocross meets and karting events they raised a wonderful total of nearly £2,700.

B&M stores across the Eastern region generously chose to support EAAA with the money raised through the 5p carrier bag charge. The company visited the Norwich base to present a cheque for £20,000. B&M’s Area Manager Jeremy Robins said: “My team chose the East Anglian Air Ambulance because it’s a fantastic charity who deserves this cash boost. They rely on the generosity of the public and what better way to help out than with local shoppers giving back to the community by helping to save the lives of others.”

Luton’s shopping centre The Mall raised over £21,000 for EAAA during its year of support in 2016 and has pledged to aim even higher during 2017.

A number of different fundraising events are planned and we’re very grateful to the centre, its staff and customers for this wonderful support.

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Can you help?

Exciting new partnership with Salvation army.

We have begun a clothing banks partnership with the Salvation Army and 50% of the revenue from these banks will come back to EAAA. This is replacing doorstep bag collections which we have discontinued (so if you are offered a clothing bag purporting to be in aid of EAAA please alert us).

Could you offer a corner of your car park, or other location accessible to the public, to house a clothing bank?

If so, email corporate@eaaa.org.uk.

Two of the region’s building societies have chosen to support EAAA. Staff from Ipswich Building Society (pictured above) visited us to present £15,000 raised through their We Care account.

And Cambridge Building Society has chosen us as one of four charity partners for 2017. During the spring, staff held collections and raffles, sold merchandise and volunteered their time for the Charity. Branches took part in our campaign Any Currency Any Age collecting unwanted foreign currency donations. Not only that but they even entered a team of 20 for our muddy obstacle race Only The Brave.

Would your business like to sponsor a prestigious EAAA fundraising event?

Corporate support is welcome at any of our signature fundraising events. This summer we will be running the VIP marquee at the Norfolk Polo Festival at Langley Abbey. The festival has firmly cemented its place in the region’s social calendar offering both a fun day out for the family and a unique VIP experience, and we’re looking for companies interested in purchasing a sponsorship package or table to get in touch. Please contact holly.noon@eaaa.org.uk for more details.

More corporate supporters Kamarin Computers based in Peterborough have chosen EAAA as one of the charities to support through staff fundraising.

Linx in St Ives raised £10,000 with a variety of different fundraising activities during 2016.

Wisbech based Anglia donated over £1,700 after holding a Christmas raffle.

A number of businesses made donations in lieu of sending Christmas cards. These included: Uttridge Accounting Ltd, Northmore Stud and Vector Resourcing.

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A very special legacy Leaving a gift in your Will to East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is a life-giving act.

We fly lifesaving missions on an average of five times per day when we attend to people in severe distress either through road accidents or other unexpected medical emergencies.

With your help, we can change someone’s very last day, to one of their worst instead.

We understand it’s important to think about family and friends first when writing a Will, but if there’s room to leave a gift to EAAA we promise to use it to help save lives. Many people who make a charity bequest in their Will specify a sum

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of money or percentage of their Estate but sometimes an item of value is left to EAAA to be sold for the charity.

This was the case when a very special gift was left to us by EAAA supporter Richard Allen from Suffolk. Mr Allen, a racing driver and motor enthusiast, was Chairman of the Ferrari Owners Club for many years. He bequeathed EAAA his very rare 1964 Ferrari Nembo Spyder, the most beloved of all the cars in his extensive collection, in recognition of the importance of the air ambulance service to motor racing events.

The custom-made vehicle, one of only four in existence, was due to be sold in March at Duxford by H&H Classics. The sale will fund the building of our new hangar to house the Anglia Two aircraft at Cambridge Airport as well as our continuing lifesaving work.

Mr Allen’s gesture was truly unique but whether it’s a treasured item like this or any other gift, legacies currently enable us to fly one in every four missions. EAAA and our patients are forever indebted to people like Mr Allen who have made the choice to save lives through a legacy to us.

EAAA Chief Executive Patrick Peal said: “I think it is really poignant that when Mr Allen found out he only had weeks to live, he had the grace and the generosity to think how he could make a gift that would do good for a lot of people.

Leaving a gift in a Will is easy to do and can make a big difference to our service.

Once you’ve thought about where you would like your gifts to go, it’s important to get it formally and legally written into a Will. It is advisable to contact a local Will writer or solicitor who can help you. Sometimes firms specialising in Will writing will invite donations to charity instead of a fee. Heritage Will Writers who have long supported EAAA did this during February this year and we are very grateful for their support.

“Our pilots have a certain shift of hours and half an hour at the beginning and end of a shift is getting the helicopter from its existing hangar which is 500 yards away. A hanger right next to our operating base would mean when the pilots come on shift, the helicopter is ready for duty and this legacy will help us save many more lives.”

I think it is really poignant that when Mr Allen found out he only had weeks to live, he had the grace and the generosiTy to think how he could make a gift that would do good for a lot of people.

Our mission is to provide the best possible outcomes for people unfortunate enough to be involved in incidents or medical emergencies.

Whether you have already made your Will, or you are considering doing so and would like to know how we use legacy gifts please contact Jess Down on 01603 485174 or email jess.down@eaaa.org.uk. Further information about making a Will can also be found in the Leave a Legacy section of the EAAA website.

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Lottery The Accumulator Prize

Lottery jackpot winners For full details each week of the EAAA lottery winners and the current accumulator prize please visit our website – www.eaaa.org.uk.

Since our last issue, the £1,000 jackpot has been won by: Nov 04

Mr R. Parfitt

Nov 11

Mrs E. Browne

Colchester Mattishall, Norfolk

Nov 18

Mrs S. Lincoln

Biggleswade, Beds

Nov 25

Mrs S. Foster

Kempston, Beds

Dec 02

Mr B. Nightingale Cambridge

Dec 09

Mrs M. Durrant

Bury St Edmunds

Dec 16

Mrs J. Keyte

Bury St Edmunds

Dec 23

Mr A. Wright

Diss, Norfolk

Dec 30

Mr G. Markham

Bromham, Beds

Jan 06

Mrs J. Flashman

Luton

Jan 13

Mrs B. Baker

Stowmarket, Suffolk

Jan 20

Miss J. Cutts

Lowestoft, Suffolk

Jan 27

Mr A. Mudge

c/o Bank

Feb 03

Mr. D Lodge

Halstead, Essex

Feb 10

Mr T. Loudwell

Sheringham, Norfolk

Feb 17

Mrs L. Macleod

Ipswich

Feb 24

Mrs K. Williams

Ipswich

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In the last few weeks of 2016 this prize was won three times. Mr K. Myhill in Norfolk won £7,000 on November 25.

Mr P. Fairhead, also in Norfolk, won £2,000 on December 23 and a week later Mrs R. Morris in Cambridgeshire won £500. Between then and the end of February we had had no further winners and as we went to press the prize had grown to £4,500. You can see how much the accumulator is at currently by visiting the lottery section of our website.

Thank you!

As a lottery player your weekly contribution is saving lives and really makes a difference for people in their hour of need. Without your continued support, it would be very difficult for us to maintain the service we currently provide.

However, please don’t forget to let us know if you move house, we send our winning cheques through the post each week so it’s vital that we have an up to date address for our players.

Don’t forget you can also read Anglia Lift Off on our website and please pass this copy to someone else when you have read it.

About our Lottery Supporting the East Anglian Air Ambulance lottery is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to keep us flying and saving lives. There are 18 main cash prizes including a jackpot of £1,000 which is won every week. We also have an accumulator prize which rises by £500 per week. The maximum it can reach is £25,000. Everyone who plays the lottery is automatically entered into the accumulator draw.

How does it work?

Once we receive your completed membership application we enter your details onto our lottery system. You’ll be sent a letter and membership card with details of your lucky number. Each Friday the winners are randomly selected from all current paying members.

How much does it cost?

Each ‘chance’ in our lottery costs £1 and you can have more than one ‘chance’ each week if you wish.

As a lottery player your weekly contribution is saving lives and really makes a difference for people in their hour of need.

How do I join?

Choose one of these three simple ways to take part in our lottery:

1

Fill in a form

Complete the application form overleaf, cut it out and send it back to us at the address printed at the bottom of the page.

If you are paying by cheque, don’t forget to send that too.

2 Online Sign up on our website Visit www.eaaa.org.uk/shop and click on Lottery for a safe and secure way to purchase.

3 By phone If you would prefer to speak to someone or are buying membership as a gift for someone else then please give our lottery team a call on 01603 489400 and they will be happy to help.

All players must be over the age of 16.

Why not tell a friend about our Lottery?

Visit www.eaaa.org.uk or call 01603 489400

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Lottery Membership application New Member Details (Please fill in your contact and payment details) Name

Date of birth

Address

Postcode

Tel

Email For cheque

payment:

No. of chances per week

For direct debit payments:

(Please fill in this form)

Please return your completed membership application form (with cheque made payable to Friends of East Anglian Air Ambulance) to:

The Lottery Office, Friends of East Anglian Air Ambulance, Hangar E, Norwich Airport, Gambling Close, Norwich NR6 6EG Members must be aged 16 years or over, please tick this box to confirm

No. of weeks (min 13)

Total amount due £

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit

Service User Number

Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society To: The Manager

422746 Bank/Building Society

Address Postcode Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Branch Sort Code Bank/Building Society Account No.

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society Please pay East Anglian Air Ambulance Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with East Anglian Air Ambulance and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

Signature(s)

Each chance costs £1 per Date week. All the data we hold is gathered and managed in strict accordance with the Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Data Protection Act (1998).

Instructions for some types of account.

We will not disclose any information supplied by The sum of £ Minimum payment of £4.34 per chance per month) you to any third party. We would like to occasionally Monthly (£4.34) Quarterly (£13) Half-yearly (£26) Yearly (£52) contact you with information First payment on / / and thereafter until further notice. about other aspects of our work. Please tick if we may The Small Print This lottery is promoted by the Friends of East Anglian Air Ambulance Trading in do this by support of the East Anglian Air Ambulance registered charity number 1083876. Responsible person Mr M email phone post Burt, EAAA, Hangar E, Gambling Close Norwich NR6 6EG. Tickets cost £1 and the draw is held every Friday.

Licenced by the Gambling Commission www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk

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