Eaaa lift off, issue 31, Summer 2013

ANGLIA

Liftoff

Issue 31 Summer 2013 BURNS DRAMA

RECORD ATTEMPT

Missions flown by our life-saving crews.

Help us break a skydiving World record.

Page 15

Page 21

Suggested donation £1.50

in the bag New charity merchandise goes on sale.

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Inspection passed with flying colours We need you today YOU MAY NEED US TOMORROW

CHARITY NO.1083876

welcome

Contents ANGLIA

LIFTOFF

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Content

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High Flyers…

Thank you for supporting the work of the East Anglian Air Ambulance by picking up this edition of our magazine. As I write it seems as if Spring has barely arrived, never mind Summer, but if you have received this issue in the post you’ll find included with it our Christmas brochure. Selling cards and other items raises money for the Charity and I’d like to thank everyone who responded to our special sale items in the last edition of ‘Anglia Lift Off’: especially those who bought at www.eaaa.org.uk – where the response has been incredible. Many of the products in this latest brochure will also be available via our website shop.

We have much to celebrate in this issue including – just as we went to press – becoming the first dedicated air ambulance service in the UK to fly missions at night. Some other good news came when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected both our bases and judged that we are meeting their expectations in all of the areas they examined.

We are delighted, as at the end of last year the CQC reported that they fail 25% of the organisations they inspect, and the inspection process has recently been strengthened.

We aspire to provide a world-class clinical service, and so I am delighted that a number of our Critical Care Paramedics have recently been awarded a Masters Degree in Critical Care from Cardiff University. They all worked extremely hard, and obtaining this level of qualification is a great achievement. Another person recognised for his hard work, this time for fundraising, is eight year old Freddy Parkins who was involved in a serious road accident which Anglia Two attended. As Freddy recovered from his injuries he worked tirelessly to raise money and won a national award for his efforts.

I strongly believe that no matter how good any organisation or individual may be, they can always learn from others. After Easter I travelled to Norway and Sweden to visit two air ambulances that have been operating day and night for many years, over remote and at times harsh environments, to save the lives of people in difficulty. It was fascinating to hear about their experiences, and to see how they cope with some of the challenges we face day in, day out. I have written a short report on my trip, which you will find on page18.

While receiving donations is absolutely vital to enable us to maintain our service, the number of people who are giving their time to help us is also increasing. We would love to hear from you if you have time and skills to offer, and we have described those areas where our need is greatest in the Volunteers section of our website. Please also remember that we need help in publicising the Charity, so if you are prepared to have a “Support EAAA” sign on your land or the back of your lorry or caravan, please let us know!

However you choose to support us – thank you. I hope this insight into our work inspires you to continue to do so.

Tim Page Chief Executive

Info

App launched

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Airlift after rare condition

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Diary dates

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Meat-free meals

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Family supports golf day

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CQC inspects charity

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Slimmers’ support

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Airlift from beach

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Lottery news

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Scandinavian visit

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Runners raise thousands

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New merchandise range

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Contact Us

Your regional fundraiser: North Cambridgeshire/West Norfolk – Chris Donaldson 14 Culley Court, Bakewell Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE2 6WA. 01733 367208 email: christopher.donaldson@eaaa.org.uk South Cambridgeshire/West Suffolk – Barbara McGee Melbourn Science Park, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, SG8 6EE. 01763 262697 email: barbara.mcgee@eaaa.org.uk Suffolk – Pip Duffy Whitehouse Distribution Centre, Whitehouse Road, Ipswich IP1 5NX 01473 745007 email: pip.duffy@eaaa.org.uk Norfolk – Jess Down Hangar E, Gambling Close, Norwich Airport, Norwich NR5 6EG 01603 489406 email: jess.down@eaaa.org.uk Bedfordshire – Paul Airton The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1AH 01525 718517 email: paul.airton@eaaa.org.uk General enquiries: 0845 066 9999 Website: www.eaaa.org.uk Email: info@eaaa.org.uk Lottery: lottery@eaaa.org.uk Charity number:

1083876

Editor:

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

Design: Print:

CBP00027561902131336

By using Carbon Balanced Paper through the World Land Trust on this publication we have offset 4040kg of Carbon & preserved 339sqm 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.carbonbalancepaper.com

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News A UK first for EAAA Just as ‘Anglia Lift Off’ went to press, after many months of training and preparation and having been closely scrutinised by the Civil Aviation Authority, we were authorised to operate a day/ night HEMS service.

Equipped with sophisticated night-vision devices our crews are now able to fly to the help of patients at night, in the dark, as they have done for so many years in daylight. The effect of this development is obvious. There will no longer be reason to fear that if someone suffers a heart attack or accident in the evening, after it has become dark, their chances of survival will be less than in daytime. By the time you read this it’s anticipated we will have been seen regularly in the night sky and we’ll have a full report on this momentous achievement, which is a first for any dedicated air ambulance service in the UK, in our next issue or please visit our website for the latest news.

First ‘Interactive’ issue This edition of ‘Anglia Lift Off’ is our first to be published as an interactive digital edition, available as a downloadable App as well as in print, thanks to Barnwell Print Ltd who have created this for us.

At the moment the App is only for Apple products such as iPhones and iPads. To download it visit the App store and search for ‘Anglia Lift Off’. It is free to download. If you currently receive the magazine in the post but would prefer to download the App instead please email lottery@eaaa.org.uk so that we can amend our mailing list.

Freddy’s fundraising prize We were thrilled when we heard that Freddy Parkins from Cambridgeshire had won a national award for his fundraising for EAAA. Freddy and his father were involved in a road accident attended by Anglia Two. Freddy broke his leg and wrote a book about it to raise money for the air ambulance. His efforts saw him crowned ‘Young Fundraiser of the Year’ at the Just Giving Awards.

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Keep up with us

online

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and keep up to date with all our news on a day to day basis. Find us on Facebook as East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity and on Twitter as EastAngliAirAmb. We also have Facebook and Twitter pages for each of the four counties we cover and regularly share their content.

Here’s what people have been talking about recently:

Steve Smith Well pleased I managed to pick up a “I support my local air ambulance” rubber wrist band from your stall outside the forum in Norwich. Been looking for one for ages.

@IpswichBuildSoc Great to have Pip of @EastAngliAirAmb here speaking to staff about volunteering - our employees get half a day a month

Tina McGuire Air Ambulance came out this morning within minutes of a serious accident near Horsford.

When you see them arrive you realise this charity is vital for Norfolk.

@Sally26NT Many thanks to @LTFC_Official for donating a signed shirt. A total of £5600 was raised in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance

Josh Brighty Did you see our piece in the Evening News? Hoping to raise lots of money for this great charity.

@McLaren_Fan Superb effort and effortlessly skillful flying at the Holt RFC tournament yesterday. Just a shame we needed your services.

Rare condition leads to airlift for Shaun Migraine is a condition that affects approximately eight million people in the UK. It’s the most common neurological condition in the developed world, is debilitating and costs sufferers an estimated 25 million days off work or school nationwide.

Shaun Button, from Harleston in Norfolk, suffers from one of the rarest and most severe forms of migraine there is. Known as hemiplegic migraine the symptoms can give the impression that the sufferer is actually having a stroke. Shaun was 23 when he was first affected by the condition and although he has lived with it for nearly seven years and knows the ‘warning signs’ a recent severe attack resulted in an airlift to hospital.

In March this year Shaun was on his way home from work when he felt the warning tingling feeling on one side that indicates he’s about to have an attack. He knew straightaway that he had to stop the car and pull over to a place of safety but as he tried to do so he rapidly lost all his vision and his car went into a tree.

Shaun said: “I always know exactly where my phone is so that I can call for help when this happens. The fire service and a first responder came and soon afterwards the air ambulance arrived.

They helped as I was cut out of the car and placed on a spinal board because I was in so much pain they couldn’t tell at that stage how much was due to the migraine and how much could have been a spinal injury from the crash.”

Shaun Button and his family

“I can see why they liken the air ambulance to the Accident and Emergency Department being brought to the scene as that was exactly what it felt like.”

The accident also occurred on a remote bumpy lane where travelling in a road ambulance could have been very uncomfortable for Shaun, or worse depending on his injury, so Anglia One airlifted him to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in a flight that took just seven minutes. Tests and X-rays at the hospital revealed no serious injuries from the car crash but he needed ongoing medical care from neurologists for the migraine.

Shaun added: “I was a tree surgeon by trade but knowing that this could now strike so quickly it’s not practical to be up a tree with a chainsaw – so it was a common sense decision to stop. I was also not allowed to drive for a while, but the doctors have permitted me to again now and I’m starting up my own gardening business instead.”

Shaun recently visited the air ambulance headquarters in Norwich with his family to thank the crew and has now pledged to raise the £2,270 it costs for every mission. “Once I’m cleared by the doctors to be a bit more active, I’m really looking forward to doing something a little bit crazy to raise money,” he said. “In the meantime, my wife Laura is taking part in the Charity’s Runway Run in September and is already in training.”

As well as helping to raise money for the charity Shaun is also looking at helping those who might need its service in their hour of need. He added: “When I am completely fit and well I am going to look into training to be a Community First Responder. They do such a vital job and are so important in a rural area like this that I think it would be a very worthwhile thing to do.”

On board Anglia One that day were Dr Pam Chrispin and Critical Care Paramedics Ben Caine and Carl Smith. Shaun said even as he was trapped in his car he realised the advanced medical skills the crew were bringing to his aid. “Everyone stood aside and let the clinicians take control of the incident,“ he said. “I can see why they liken the air ambulance to the Accident and Emergency Department being brought to the scene as that was exactly what it felt like.”

The Button family meet the crew of Anglia One (photo © Diss Exp ress)

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We are very grateful to the organisers of the events listed here – and indeed so many others – that will be benefitting the EAAA. We can only include a small number in ‘Anglia Lift Off’ but many more are listed on our website. If you would like us to publicise your event in this way please contact your local EAAA fundraising office (details on page 3) where our teams will be happy to give plenty of help and support.

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Saturday 22nd June

Drinks Reception, Norfolk The Circle of Benefactors is a membership body for like-minded advocates of the EAAA who donate a minimum of £25 per month.

Members will be attending a drinks and canapés reception in a beautiful converted barn at Brandon Parva, near Norwich. Places are still available for people who would be interested in joining the Circle of Benefactors. If you would like to attend or wish to find out more about this organisation please contact Hannah Bennett on 07786 270344.

Sunday 23rd June

Car Boot & Family Fun Day, Suffolk

Saturday 20th July

East Anglian Air Ambulance Meet the Crew, various locations Once again we are inviting friends and supporters of the Charity to come and meet our crew and get close to the helicopter at a series of Family Fun Days around our region. For more details of the event closest to you please contact one of our area fundraising offices, whose details are on page 3.

Rectory Farm, Milton, Cambs Trinity Park on the outskirts of Ipswich is the venue for A great supporter of the EAAA, Rectory a massive car boot sale and a range of other attractions Farm will again be hosting our open including gift and food stalls, games and activities as 12 Open Day at s.

0 2 e Th day along with a range of other well as a visit from one of our aircraft with a chance to cces on was a great su ilt M attractions for all the family to enjoy. meet the crew. More details about the day are available The Maize Maze will be open for the first time this from our Suffolk fundraising team who are also taking year and entry fees have been reduced to half price bookings for stalls and car boot pitches. Contact details are on page 3. for this special occasion. There will also be tractor rides, go-karting and face-painting as well as entertainment from the Wicken Brass Band.

A range of other stalls and refreshments will also be available.

Saturday 29th June

Strictly Ballroom Bedfordshire

The Rufus Centre in Flitwick is hosting an exciting evening of Ballroom dancing held in conjunction with the Central Youth Volunteer Project and Central Bedfordshire Council. There will be a demonstration from professional dancers with plenty of time then for others to dance. Tickets cost £10, which includes a ploughman’s supper and a glass of wine. To find out more, or to make a booking, please contact our Bedfordshire fundraising team on 01525 716517.

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Sandringham Visitor Centre, Norfolk, It’s hoped that the aircraft will make a late morning visit to our open day in North West Norfolk but please check with our office a few days before hand if you intend to travel to meet the crew today.

Police Headquarters, Bedfordshire Displays of emergency and classic vehicles will form part of the fun at our open day with kind permission of the Bedfordshire Police Force at Kempston. Our helicopter is likely to attend at around lunchtime. The day promises family fun for everyone and there is no admission charge.

Friday 12th July

Saturday 31st August & Sunday 1st September

‘Sparkle in the Night Sky’ Charity Ball, Suffolk

Homegrown Music Festival, Suffolk

Join the EAAA Suffolk fundraising team for this gala evening at Trinity Park on the outskirts of Ipswich. The ticket price of £37.50 includes a drinks reception on arrival followed by a three course meal and live entertainment from local band The Martells, who are great supporters of the Charity after one of the members of the group was treated by our clinical team. Contact our Suffolk fundraising team for more information or to book tickets.

This new festival taking place at Barrow, just outside Bury St Edmunds, will feature around 40 bands and acts from Eastern England over the two days. The event supports EAAA and another regional charity. A ticket for the whole weekend including camping costs £58 with family and day tickets also available. For more information visit www.homegrownfest.co.uk or ring 01284 810446.

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th August

Lego Weekend, Holt Hall, Norfolk

If you, or members of your family, love Lego then this is the event for you!

Diane and Adrian Fletcher had such a success with this venture the first time they held it that they are organising another with two marquees full of Lego galore at Holt Hall displays. There will also be a Lego shop, competitions, a raffle, a play tent and Lego trains as well as a variety of other attractions. All models will be for sale via a silent auction. Admission is £1.50 per person.

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th August

Wroxham and Hoveton Lions Charity Motor Show, Norwich Once again this wonderful family day out, which has raised in the region of £46,000 for charity since it started in 2008, is supporting EAAA as one of its chosen charities. Having grown to a two day show in that time it has now also moved to a new venue, the Norfolk Showground. As well as a range of classic cars and motorcycles there will also be some of the latest models on show from local dealerships. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will make a return appearance and there will be a range of other attractions to complement the vehicles including stalls and crafts and film and TV characters including Daleks.

Chitty Chitt

in Norwich

Saturday 14th September

Last Night of the Promsstyle concert, Newmarket

Tattersalls Sale Ring is the impressive venue for a stunning Last Night of the Proms-style concert from the Newmarket Town Band. The band has been entertaining audiences in the region for more than 60 years and this year is the 10th anniversary Town Band The Newmarket of this Proms-style event, which is presented in conjunction with All Saints Church. Tickets are available from the Newmarket Tourist Information Office at a cost of £8 per person, to include a programme or £28 for a family ticket. Bookings may also be made online at www.ntbb.co.uk or www.allsaintsnewmarket.org. The performance will start at 7pm with doors and the bar open from 6pm.

y Bang Bang on

display Lift off

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Healthy Eating quest for

quorn

If you’ve wanted to cut down on your meat intake but still enjoy dishes which would traditionally use meat then Quorn, which has a factory in Norfolk, offers a recipe for this issue of ‘Anglia Lift Off’ that’s perfect for Summer.

Quorn is a low-fat source of protein, which has the taste, appearance and texture of meat. It’s made from Mycoprotein which is produced through a fermentation process similar to that used in the manufacture of yoghurt or yeast in bread. During the horsemeat scandal earlier this year Quorn, which is the UK’s biggest vegetarian ready meal brand, saw its sales increase and also predicted that beef products would become more expensive as a result of the horsemeat issue.

The company’s factory at Methwold near Thetford is a great supporter of the East Anglian Air Ambulance and staff hold a number of charity events to raise funds throughout the year. So far they have held a bake sale (pictured right), the first time the company has tried a fundraiser like this – raising more than £130. In the summer the management car wash will be held again which last year proved extremely popular.

To find out more about Quorn and enjoy more meat-free recipes visit www.quorn.co.uk

Recipe: Quorn Caesar Salad

This is quick and easy to prepare but needs 30 minutes (or overnight if preferred) marinating time. You could also use Quorn Chicken style fillets that have been cooked in the same way and then sliced or hand shredded when cool.

Dressing Ingredients: 4tbsp light mayonnaise 1tsp Dijon mustard ¼ tsp white wine vinegar ¼ tsp garlic puree 1tsp lemon juice 3tbsp skimmed milk Seasoning For the salad 300g Quorn best ever Chicken style Pieces 2tbsp runny honey or maple syrup 3tbsp vegetable oil 2 slices wholegrain bread, crusts removed, cut into 1cm cubes 1 Cos lettuce, washed and hand torn 20g parmesan shavings Method To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients and mix well. Check seasoning.

Marinate the Quorn best ever Chicken style Pieces in the honey or maple syrup for 30 minutes or overnight.

Heat 1tbsp of the oil and fry the Quorn best ever Chicken style Pieces for 5 - 6 minutes until they are golden brown and piping hot.

Remove from the pan and leave to cool.

Heat the remaining oil and fry the cubed bread on both sides until crisp and brown.

Cool on kitchen paper.

Combine lettuce and Quorn and place in the serving dish and then drizzle over the dressing. Top with the croutons and parmesan shavings.

Per serving: 351 cals, 15.3g protein, 26g carbohydrate (13.7g sugars), 19.8g fat (3g saturates), 6g fibre, 1.4g salt 1 of your 5 a day per serving

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Make a difference The volunteers who help the East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity really do make a difference in a great deal of areas. Some are committed to organising fundraising activities while others offer specialist skills such as our Bedfordshire volunteer who organised courses to teach people CPR and emergency first aid – more details on page 22. We have a dedicated volunteer page on our website where you will find details of the areas in which we are most in need of help at the moment. If you can spare us some time please do get in touch. You may wish to offer to help in a ‘traditional’ volunteer role or offer us your special skill. Whichever it is, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

County committees to support EAAA Committees of volunteers who can act as ambassadors and advocates for the Charity have been set up to cover the four counties of the region we serve.

The groups are made up of key decision makers and influencers in the region and part of their role is to act as a focus group to help steer the Charity’s activities in each county. Other members of the groups may be able to facilitate venues for events or help with training for Charity staff and volunteers.

Volunteer focus:

Cherie Cawood

family members Cherie (end R) with Ho d lly at the Emma, Sarah an Day. inster Rotary Golf M Peterborough

One of the fundraising highlights for the EAAA in North Cambridgeshire in recent years is the annual Peterborough Minster Rotary Club’s Golf Day at Elton Furze Golf Club. Its success is, in no small part, due to organiser Cherie Cawood who works tirelessly to organise teams, source prizes and ensure that as well as a competitive day’s play there is a great social and fundraising dinner at the end of the day.

Why the air ambulance?

It’s a charity that I sincerely believe is necessary for everyone rather than just helping a particular illness, age-group or cause. Although it’s the last thing I ever dreamt would happen, a few months after the golf day my family had first hand experience of the service when my daughter Sarah was airlifted following a riding accident.

How do you help the Charity?

Organising the golf day is my big event and I was delighted that the Rotary Club wanted to support EAAA together with Rotary charities. But it’s not just about the day itself – I make sure we send Christmas cards to all the sponsors and supporters thanking them again. People are so generous and it’s a wonderful charity to raise money for. I’d love to do a bigger event too and have an idea in mind for the future.

Why should people give up their time?

I’m very fortunate with the help that I receive for the golf day from my daughters Sarah and Emma and my granddaughter Holly but it’s always a fun day too – it’s important that everyone, including the helpers, enjoys it. You don’t have to organise a big event to help the Charity either. My daughter Sarah was delighted to be asked to cut the ribbon at the official ‘unveiling’ of the EAAA’s willow helicopter sculpture at Ferry Meadows Country Park in Peterborough. Helping at events like that which raise awareness of the work of the Charity is as important as fundraising.

Karen Austin, who works with the committees, said: “We’ve been fortunate enough to secure the support of chief executives of county councils and hospitals, as well as senior figures in the Church, police and fire and rescue service, and experienced business professionals from the region. We are grateful that as well as giving their time, members also play a vital role in spreading the word about the work we do.”

The committees meet three times a year with the Charity’s Chief Executive and a member of our Board of Trustees.

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Sarah (L) and Cherie cut the ribbon at the unveiling of the willow helicopter

Delivering excellence

A clean bill of health from the CQC

Like all other health care providers in England the East Anglian Air Ambulance has to meet essential standards of quality and safety. These are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) an independent organisation which has a wide range of enforcement powers to take action on behalf of patients if services are unacceptably poor. It means that anyone attended to by the air ambulance crew can be assured we are giving the best possible care and treatment.

By law we have to be registered with the CQC to show that we are protecting people from the risk of infection. This means we are regularly inspected at both our Norwich and Cambridge bases to ensure all our facilities including the two aircraft meet the required standards.

Our two bases were inspected in March. The CQC has 16 essential standards of quality and safety of care and can inspect all or part of the standards at any time. The inspection at Norwich looked at five different standards and at Cambridge examined six. Each base was found to be meeting the standards required.

The CQC’s reports into EAAA’s services have been welcomed by the Director of Clinical Quality and Development at the Charity Professor Timothy Hodgetts.

He said: “The CQC gave us a thorough inspection at each base and I was very pleased with the reports they produced into the quality of the service we provide. EAAA aims to be a leader in pre-hospital emergency medicine and the CQC recognises the efforts we are making in that direction.

“But of course this doesn’t mean we should be complacent.

We must strive to maintain or even improve upon these high standards. Our hard-working operations and clinical staff should feel proud that they have enabled the Charity to achieve such positive feedback and they, along with the patients we treat, can be confident that as a management team we’ll be giving every possible support to ensure best practice at all times.”

In looking at how EAAA managed a patient’s consent to care and treatment the inspection noted that best practice from the NHS ambulance trust was adhered to and staff training was ongoing.

Patients were involved as much as possible in their treatment decisions but if they were unconscious, or unable to consent, the medical staff acted in their best interests.

es for the kit that Checking routin e aircraft and in th is carried on the ong the standards store room are am C. e CQ scrutinised by th checking procedure was noted and the report also found that the equipment store was well stocked and tidy and that our crews had everything they needed to perform their job safely.

The inspection at Norwich looked at a number of other areas, which were all deemed to be meeting the standard.

These were: Care and welfare of people who use the service; supporting workers and assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision.

At Cambridge the CQC also reported on: Safeguarding people who use the service from abuse; management of medicines and requirements relating to workers.

EAAA aims to be a leader in pre-hospital emergency medicine and the CQC recognises the efforts we are making in that direction.

Standards of cleanliness and infection control were also examined. The CQC looked at patient questionnaire responses which said that standards of cleanliness were excellent. The inspection was very thorough and covered our medical store and sluice rooms as well as our rapid response cars and helicopters. The report noted how we use a special cleaning solution inside the helicopter as normal sanitiser could damage it and added that there was no visible dust, dirt or debris on any of the surfaces or equipment.

At Cambridge Airport the CQC inspected the safety and suitability of our premises and equipment. It took note of the facilities available to our crews and the good security measures in place. Our equipment was checked including the kit bags carried on the aircraft and rapid response vehicle. The

For more information about the CQC and how it regulates the East Anglian Air Ambulance service visit www.cqc.org.uk.

Tim Hodgetts

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Fabulous fundraising Fundraising events help us to keep the two air ambulance helicopters serving the people of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk seven days a week. If you have organised an event why not send pictures and details of the day to Liftoff@eaaa.org.uk and we will try to feature them in these pages. If the stories here inspire you to try and raise some money then the fundraising manager for your area would be pleased to hear from you. Contact details are on page 3.

Losing pounds to raise pounds

Coining it in

Slimmers in Bedfordshire have been shedding pounds to help EAAA gain pounds. Members of Dawn Breacher’s Slimming World groups in Stotfold and Shefford took part in a ‘Slim for Good’ Slimmers in Bedf ordshire slimathon challenge over a six week period in the Spring in which they were sponsored for the amount of weight they lost. Members decided to support the Charity after a talk from EAAA Area Fundraising Manager Paul Airton.

Fundraising came not just through the slimming group but support from the Thrift Shop at RAF Henlow, a member choosing the charity while leader of a local council and another planning to do the Great Yorkshire Run. Dawn said: “I’m so pleased that my Slimming World members have raised £1,450 through ‘Slim for Good’. Well done to all of them.”

Paul added: “I’d like to thank all of the 400 members of Dawn’s groups who have shown such dedication. Between them they lost 120 stone during the six week period, which is absolutely fantastic.

Meanwhile another Slimming World member in Mildenhall, Suffolk, will do a parachute jump for the Charity to celebrate her weight loss. Lesley Richardson has held a life-long ambition to do a skydive which she’ll undertake in July.

Gift from ‘forgotten’ account

Eagle-eyed workmen demolishing a former cement works in Barrington, Cambridgeshire, spotted an old briefcase as they were clearing the site. The case contained paperwork relating to the Cemex site’s old Eastwoods Social Club – including its bank account.

The plant closed five years ago, not long after celebrating its 80th anniversary for which it held an open day which raised £2,000 for the air ambulance. Although the social club no longer meets, the former Quarry Manager John Drayton, who is now caretaker of the works site, tracked down members of the social club’s former committee to decide what to do with the funds in the account.

They agreed that the £2,500 should be shared between local charities and kindly donated £1,225 to EAAA. 12 Lift off

Odd bits of foreign currency or coinage that is no longer legal tender can still be useful to the East Anglian Air Ambulance fundraisers.

Bedfordshire Fundraising Manager Paul Airton recently took a bucket of old coins to Cambridge Coins and Jewellery in Biggleswade. Most of the coins are sold for their scrap metal value – and owner Dave Allen was able to give Paul £240 for recent donations.

However among all the ‘scrap’ coins were a number of greater interest. A few pre-1948 silver coins raised £10 as did a 1961 Canadian part silver dollar but the one that caused most excitement was a 1746 King George II Half Crown (pictured) for which the Charity received £70.

Paul said: “A handful of foreign loose change or some out of date currency is worthless to most people but we can collect it all up and achieve a sizeable donation. Dave is very supportive and it’s great that now and again he’ll recognise something that is of greater value.

“We also receive donations from the loose change people give in on their way home from holiday.

Collections carried out

by Thomson Airways on flights into Luton Airport are shared between us and a couple of other charities and in less than a year have raised over £4,300 which is fantastic.”

r at ia One helicopte Our former Angl niversary open day. an the Cemex 80th

Thank you!

Fundraiser of the future

Fundraiser Nadia Jolly

Seven year old Nadia Jolly hasn’t let her tender age stand in the way of raising hundreds of pounds for EAAA. The youngster, from Swannington in Norfolk, began by helping her neighbours Andrew and Margaret Welton with their annual Easter raffle last year. But when Margaret became ill, Nadia offered to help Andrew with fundraising.

It’s not possible to mention here all the fundraising activities held for us in the region but we are very grateful to the organisers of all of them Recent donations have come from:

Now Nadia has the fundraising bug and recently held a fabulous fun day and barbecue. She sourced more than 90 raffle and tombola prizes, had gift and craft stalls, cakes and refreshments and persuaded face painter Melita Morgan to give her service for free. A number of businesses in Aylsham were particularly supportive. It meant that Nadia was able to give the Charity more than £1,170.

Norfolk Area Fundraising Manager Jess Down said: “Nadia is absolutely brilliant and a very determined young lady. She has a real flair for fundraising and we can’t thank her enough for her efforts.”

In gear for ‘Grand Prix’

A total of 23 teams took part in the inaugural EAAA Karting ‘Grand Prix’ which was held at Ellough Park Raceway near Beccles, in April. A number of local businesses entered teams including Saxon Packaging, Midwich, Innershed, Big Sky Additions and others.

The day involved two one hour races, with each team having one kart and swapping drivers throughout the race. Many had never attempted kart racing before but enjoyed the challenge of reaching speeds of up to 50mph. The first race was won by PDD Racing from Worlingham with KD Rivers Builders from Norwich, who also set the fastest lap of the day, winning race two.

The grand final then featured the ten fastest teams of the two races and saw Confusion, representing Fusion Composites, taking the overall crown.

Money from the day is still coming in but so far it has raised over £1,500. We are very grateful to all who contributed especially Beales Department Store and Cossey Funeral Service, both of Beccles and Makro and Paravanni’s Ice Cream who all gave raffle prizes.

The Norfolk Goldwings Motorcycle Club (pictured) who, despite their annual run being scuppered by snow this year still donated over £2,500.

Newmarket Racecourse Open Day 2012 which raised £7,500.

The East Anglian Sugarcraft Exhibition committee which donated over £4,500 after disbanding the group.

The Crown Inn at Sheringham raised £2,000 with a Quiz Night and Raffle.

Monica Mickleburgh from Roydon near King’s Lynn has raised thousands with her charity bingo nights, the latest one bringing in £1,677.

Corporate supporters AVEVA in Madingley have donated £1,000 while Frontline in Peterborough recently gave £1,600.

To donate £5 to the East Anglian Air Ambulance please text heli to 70500 Lift off 13

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14 Lift off

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Recent Missions If you take pictures of either of our helicopters out and about we are always pleased to receive them and, with permission, endeavour to use them in our magazine or online. Send your pictures to liftoff@eaaa.org.uk Mundesley Windmill

M i s s io n The crew of Anglia One were returning to base after attending the scene of a serious road collision from which four people were taken to hospital, the most seriously injured to Addenbrooke’s by air.

En-route they were tasked to a medical emergency in Mundesley landing in front of the village’s historic windmill. Local resident Steve Lawson took this stunning photo. He said: “The sound of the EAAA helicopter is quite distinctive and on hearing it I looked to see where it was, then grabbed my camera and set off in search. I asked the pilot if I could take some photos and he agreed.”

Meanwhile Dr Victor Inyang and Critical Care Paramedic Gary Steward were treating a man at his home nearby. The patient was anaesthetised before Captain Neil Waller flew him to hospital.

nglia Front Cover – A Aldeburgh

One at

M i s s ion

Mission

The crew of Anglia One are pictured below at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford which is the specialist burns unit for our region. Shortly beforehand they had flown there with a baby girl from Norfolk who had suffered injuries needing the specialist care. Captain Neil Waller flew the crew of Dr Peter Temesvari and Critical Care Paramedic Chris Neil to the scene in just five minutes and by airlifting the child they ensured that she reached the burns unit for treatment as soon as possible.

A teenager who was injured in a motocross accident was treated at the scene by the crew of the air ambulance before being taken to hospital by road.

c o v er s t o r y Aldeburgh resident and keen photographer David Bruin took our cover picture of Anglia One when the crew was called to Aldeburgh beach to attend a patient who’d had a heart attack. After advanced medical care at the scene the man was flown to hospital in a very serious condition. Following a stay in hospital and an operation the patient was able to go home to continue his recovery.

Mission The importance of knowing first aid was highlighted at a junior football match in Sheringham when a father watching the game collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Two parents performed CPR while staff from the nearby leisure centre used a defibrillator to bring the man back to life.

The EAAA team was the first medical crew to arrive and the man was flown to hospital in Norwich.

Mission

M i s s io n A young man who fell from a horse on the Newmarket Gallops was treated at the scene by the crew of Anglia Two. He was then airlifted to hospital for further treatment in a flight taking just seven minutes.

Landing at th e motocross tr ack

The crew of Ang lia Broomfield Hospi One at tal

The air ambulance crew attended two separate incidents in the same village in quick succession after two road accidents in which vehicles had left the road. In the first case a man was treated at the scene by the crew before a land ambulance transferred him to hospital. A short time later a woman had to be cut free from her car after suffering multiple injuries when it hit a tree.

She was flown to hospital.

Lift off 15

Lottery

Jody joins us

Jody Fiveash

elcomed to the us from issue we’ve w er. Jody joins Since our last ent role.

Lottery Manag as h ness developm as si ve bu Fi a ld he ly king us io Charity Jody e prev the team by ta llege where sh new recruit to a up ry gn si tte lo to Norwich City Co ts was with the st achievemen am, is working nh ke Fa om n. fr io One of Jody’s fir , n (20) inistrat vel two in adm e. Natalie Cotto for her NVQ le on an apprentic ng yi ud st uit d an initiative to recr ministrator wich For Jobs team as an ad or N e in a th t d ar an st ge a brilliant ith the City Colle a young person ve gi tion.” to Jody worked w ca le ifi ab al be gnised qu id: “I wanted to nationally reco a to ng Natalie and sa ki or w lst embership vironment whi g time as our m tin ci ex ry real working en ve a lottery ry team at e ideas to our e joined the lotte w and innovativ ne g She added: “I’v in br to k. pe wee lops and I ho e who play each grows and deve tractive to thos at it e I’d like d ak m an to ity ue e for the Char nu game to contin ve re For full details each week of the EAAA lottery winners of ce be portant sour . I am proud to This is a very im and the current accumulator prize please visit our ts us in this way or pp su ho w ne it is.” website – www.eaaa.org.uk The results are to thank everyo it the success that has made am te e th g in published there first and as soon as possible after the lead draw is made. They remain available on the site for approximately one month. If you follow us on Twitter @EastAngliAirAmb we also try to ‘tweet’ when the results are available, as soon as possible after the Friday afternoon draw. In the last quarter the £1,000 jackpot has been won by: The accumulator prize has been

Lottery jackpot winners since our last edition

The Accumulator Prize

Feb 1

Mrs M. Peck

Beccles, Suffolk

Feb 8

Mrs J. Condon

Dunstable, Beds

Feb 15

Mr. R. Ryan

Stowmarket, Suffolk

Feb 22

Mr. J. Galloway

March, Cambs

Mar 1

Mrs S. Humphries

St. Neots, Cambs

Mar 8

E. Gooch

Bury St Edmunds

Mar 15

Mr T. Reynolds

Wisbech, Cambs

Mar 22

Mr D. Smith

Ipswich

Mar 28

Mr I. Hillson

Peterborough

Apr 5

Mr E. Sawyer

Ely, Cambs

Apr 12

Mr G. Day

Woodbridge, Suffolk

Apr 19

Mrs P. Thomas

Norwich

Apr 26

Mrs J. Bounden

Norwich

won just once since our last edition.

This is a special draw made every week with additional numbers added to the system. Each week a total of £500 is added to the prize pot – up to a maximum of £25,000. When the prize is won the accumulator starts again the following week at £500. Everyone who plays our lottery is automatically entered for this draw and has the same chance of winning this as all our other weekly prizes.

The prize fund had grown to £5,500 by April 19th when Mr D. Bull from Attleborough was the lucky winner.

Congratulations to all our lottery winners and thanks to all who have chosen to make a donation to the charity following a win. We’d especially like to thank those who have completed a Gift Aid form when making a donation. This allows us to claim 20% tax back from the Government, if the donor is a UK tax-payer at no extra cost to them. The form is available from our offices or website.

About our lottery

How does it work?

How do I claim my prize?

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 and we have had several of our supporters win significant sums. Everyone who plays the lottery is automatically entered into the accumulator draw.

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.

There is no need make a claim as we automatically send out all the winners’ cheques by 1st class post on Friday afternoons. A list of winners can be found on our website www.eaaa.org.uk.

The results are also announced on Radio Norwich 99.9FM at 9am on Saturday morning. Some local newspapers also print our lottery results.

16

Lift off

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.

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

Office ‘syndicate’ lottery play launched Many of those who support us by playing the lottery do so as individuals but we have recently launched a new initiative to play via a workplace syndicate. One of the first companies to sign up to play in this way was the estate agency Savills, where dozens of colleagues have joined.

Lottery Manager Jody Fiveash said: “Playing our lottery as a workplace syndicate is a great way of supporting the Charity and of course offers more chances of winning. Although we can’t promise that a syndicate could all give up work if they won our jackpot they could certainly enjoy an office celebration, knowing that they have also helped our life-saving work.”

If you would like to find out more about starting a syndicate for your workplace or social club please contact our lottery team on 01603 489400.

Name Address

Postcode

Tel

For cheque payment:

No. of chances per week No. of weeks (min 13) Total amount due £

For direct debit payments: (Please fill in the form below)

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

422746

To: The Manager

Bank/Building Society

Address Postcode

Thank you The East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity is enormously appreciative of the support from our loyal lottery players. Your weekly contribution has generated millions for the charity since it started. 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.

Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Branch Sort Code Bank/Building Society Account Number Reference:

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)

Date

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.

How do I join?

Simply complete the application form on these pages and return it to us at the address printed on the form. All players must be over the age of 16. If you would like to pay by cheque then don’t forget to include this in with your application form. Alternatively if you don’t want to cut out the form or you know several people who might like to join, then it’s now even easier to do so.

We have an ancillary remote license from the Gambling Commission which means we can sign lottery members up via our website (visit the shop section to do so) and over the phone on 01603 489400.

If you are reading this edition of ‘Anglia Lift Off’ because you are already a member of our lottery then when you have finished it, why not pass it on to someone else who might like to find out more about supporting our work in this way?

The sum of £ Monthly (£4.34) First payment on

(Minimum payment of £4.34 per chance per month)

Quarterly (£13) /

/

Half-yearly (£26)

Yearly (£52)

and thereafter until further notice.

Please return your completed membership application form (with cheque made payable to Friends of East Anglian Air Ambulance) to: 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 Each chance costs £1 per week. All the data we hold is gathered and managed in strict accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). We will not disclose any information supplied by you to any third party. We may contact you occasionally with information about other aspects of our work. If you would prefer not to receive these mailings please tick this box

Issue 31

Lift off

17

Air Ambulance operations in Norway and Sweden – How does EAAA compare?

A report by Tim Page, EAAA Chief Executive, who visited state-funded air ambulance operations at University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway (pictured) and in Säve, Sweden. Both countries experience longer hours of darkness in the winter than the UK.

Norwegian Air Ambulance Service

Dr Per Bredmose is an anaesthetist working as a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) doctor with the Norwegian Air Ambulance. He and his colleagues, all employed by the hospital, combine with pilots and ‘rescuemen’ to operate 24 hours-a-day from two helicopters: an EC-135P2 and an EC-145. The service covers a radius of up to 45 minutes flying time from their base. The EC-135 is principally used for HEMS missions, with the crew flying directly to the aid of patients, while the larger aircraft, an earlier variant of a helicopter that EAAA will fly next year, is mainly used to transfer patients between hospitals.

Dr Sven Martinell founded the Swedish Air Ambulance operation at Säve, near Gothenburg. A single Sikorsky S76C+ helicopter, operated by two pilots and crewed by a doctor and nurse, covers an area with 1.6 million inhabitants. The operation’s base is purpose-built and contains everything needed to support a 24 hours-a-day service. Three pilots, on duty for 16 hours each day, cover a seven-day shift. The doctors and nurses, all specialists in anaesthesia, are seconded from local hospitals.

Each service operates by day and after dark, using a mix of night vision equipment and strong searchlights to ‘turn night into day’.

As EAAA was about to start night HEMS I asked if the Norwegians and Swedes had any tips for working in the dark. “There’s really no difference,” Sverre, a HEMS pilot with 27 years experience of flying in Norway, told me.

18 Lift off

Preparing for flight in

Norway

Helicopters based at 11 different hospitals.

The Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation (SNLA), a charity, first established a helicopter at Lorenskog in 1977. In 1983 the Norwegian government started buying services from the Foundation, and in 1988 a nationwide air ambulance service was started – with the government buying services from three different companies.

SNLA is Norway’s largest non-profit making membership organisation, with over 800,000 members: about 20% of the Norwegian population. The organisation conducts training programmes, research, national projects for greater preparedness in dealing with heart attacks and traffic accidents, and acts as a pressure group on matters relating to the emergency services.

Swedish Air Ambulance Service

The service has six helicopters, located at six different bases: five operated by Scandinavian Air Ambulance and one (at Säve) by Norrlandsflyg (NFA).

The Sikorsky S-76 is purpose built for ambulance work and equipped with advanced medical equipment. The twinengined medium-sized helicopter is flown by two pilots. Eleven pilots are allocated full-time to the service at Säve.

Approximately 2,200 missions are recorded each year: this figure includes ‘stand-downs’, where the team do not actually make contact with a patient for whatever reason.

In 10 years the Gothenberg team have carried out a total of 1,844 missions attending to victims of major trauma: 1,607 between the hours of 7am and 11pm and 237 between 11pm and 7am.

capability even when working at a high tempo and over an extended period.

“The equipment we use makes it very easy. We fly wearing night-vision goggles, and use our lights to check for wires and other obstacles before landing.

GPS and radar enable us to operate even when visibility is poor.”

In Norway, pilots use a GPS-based ‘point-in-space’ navigation system to guide helicopters onto hospital landing sites: something that is not permitted in the UK because of concerns about accuracy.

In both countries the HEMS doctors are supported by a second clinician. In Norway the ‘rescueman’ combines the roles of paramedic and crewmember, assisting the pilot with the operation of the helicopter, with that of performing rescues: from mountains, water and other places where it is impossible to land. The Swedes employ nurses who, with the doctors, operate not only from the air ambulance helicopter but also from that of the Search and Rescue team.

On occasion this sees the medical team being winched down onto the decks of ships, often in harsh conditions.

It was evident that much thought had gone into the construction of the two bases that I visited. Each was optimised for a 24-hours-a-day operation, with great living and working accommodation.

The members of the air ambulance teams are provided with overnight accommodation, and the communal kitchens, dining and sitting rooms enable Munns_Layout 1 19/04/2012 12:52 Page 1 the team members to relax between missions. When I questioned whether constructing buildings such as these was appropriate use of funding I was reminded of the nature of the work that the pilots and medics are required to undertake, and the need to ensure that they could maintain their life-saving

The time spent in Norway and Sweden has already proved to be valuable on a number of levels. It has been reassuring, in measuring the EAAA against such experienced and well-established operations, to discover that we are either at the same level or even ahead in many respects.

The helicopters and equipment we use are more modern and able than those I visited and our clinical teams, which enjoy training and support from on-call HEMS consultants, are as capable of saving lives in emergency situations as their Scandinavian counterparts. The close integration with other rescue services that I saw in Sweden is something that we are working, with our Police and Fire and Rescue colleagues, to achieve.

In summary, the East Anglian Air Ambulance can hold its head up high, and take great comfort from the comparison. We look forward to the reciprocal visits – when we will be able to demonstrate why we have reason to be proud of our HEMS service.

L & A E Munns and Son, Westmoor Farm, Chatteris, Cambs PE16 6SD Tel: 01354 692773

www.laemunns.com

Nearly 400 stockists throughout the UK. Visit our website and find one near you!

Lift off 19

fundraising Virgin London Marathon

More runners required

We are very grateful to all the runners who took part in this year’s Virgin London Marathon in April on what was a lovely spring day after months of training in harsh winter conditions.

A number of runners took part after applying to have one of the Charity’s Golden Bond places but a couple of other generous runners also used their own places from the ballot to raise sponsorship.

Running a marathon might seem daunting for many but we have a number of other events which offer a more manageable distance to run, jog or even walk. We are looking for runners to support us in the British 10km London Run on 14th July. At the time of going to press we had charity places still available, so if you’d like to find out more please contact us on 01603 489406.

Laura Gurney

Laura Gurney (pictured) from Dunstable was running in memory of her sister who was killed in a car crash in which Laura was also seriously injured and airlifted by our crew to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Laura carried a helicopter balloon around the 26.2mile course which she said the crowds really seemed to enjoy. After finishing in 7 hours and 4 minutes Laura said that the next day she ‘was suffering greatly and walking like the Tin Man.’ Joe Gowing (also pictured) from Frettenham was taking part in his first marathon after taking up running about two years ago. He finished in 4 hours and 37 minutes. Although slightly disappointed with his time Joe said: “After mile 22 my knees got very sore so I had to slow the pace down a lot.”

Prison officer Paul Harris had suffered a foot injury which had seriously hampered his marathon training since Christmas but still completed the course in 5 hours and 7 minutes. Meanwhile his two sons Ben and Oliver had helped raise £800 at Worstead First School where all the pupils took turns g in ow G Joe to run on a treadmill during the course of a day. Paul has really caught the marathon bug and he and his partner Wendy are now considering running the New York Marathon.

Samantha Meacham-Roberts who teaches at a school in Huntingdon was running in memory of her brother who was fatally injured in a road accident, attended by the EAAA helicopter. The day of the marathon would have been his 20th birthday.

Finishing in a time of 6 hours 31 minutes, Samantha said “I always knew that running 26 miles was going to be hard but it felt so great to spend Matt’s birthday doing something for him and raising lots of money.”

Helen Birrell from Norfolk used a ballot place to raise money for the Charity. Her family have been supporters for a number of years after her sister Catherine was airlifted after suffering serious injuries in a car accident. Helen completed the distance in 5 hours 49 minutes. Another ballot runner, Mark Mitchell, finished in 6 hours and 12 minutes.

20 Lift off

Meanwhile our popular charity event the Runway Run at Tibenham Airfield south of Norwich will take place this year on Sunday 29th September.

It’s the fifth year we’ve held this event and it gets bigger and better every time. Once again we will have a 5km and a 10km course available.

The runway provides a flat surface with the potential for runners to achieve a good finishing time. It is a unique opportunity to run at this location, which is not normally open to the public. It is still a working airfield and home to the Norfolk Gliding Club, whose support with this event is very much appreciated.

Registration starts from 2pm. As ever, there will be live music from Dixiemix and entertainment for all the family as well as a BBQ. While we hope a number of serious runners will turn up to race at both distances we very much encourage fun-runners, joggers and walkers to take part in either run. Dogs on leads and children in buggies are also very welcome. The 10km course is equivalent to just over six miles.

Everyone taking part receives a medal and a goody bag. Entry is £10 or £5 concessions and we encourage participants to also raise sponsorship.

To find out more about the event visit www.eaaa.org.uk or email runway@eaaa.org.uk. Enquiries can also be made by phone on the number above.

Forthcoming Challenges ce Dragon Boat Ra

Sunday 21st July Trowse, Norwich

Norwich dragon boat race

Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre in Trowse will this year host the East Anglian Air Ambulance Dragon Race. Boats are crewed by 10 people who paddle and a drummer who beats the rhythm and we are looking for squads of around a dozen people to take part and raise funds for EAAA. Participants must be over the age of 12 and able to swim. Please contact our Norfolk fundraising office if you would like more information (details on page 3).

Monday 26th August Millbrook, Bedfordshire

Cycle Fest 13

Cyclists of all abilities are invited to take part in this event at a unique venue not usually open to the public. The Millbrook Proving Ground road testing centre will offer three traffic-free courses including the city road-style layout, an off-road track for over 16s only and the challenging 35km road route which includes the highspeed bowl and Alpine circuit.

Each course costs £10 per person (£20 for families on the city course) but we encourage participants to seek sponsorship if possible too. Full details are available from our Bedfordshire fundraising team (see page 3).

Saturday 28th September Beccles, Suffolk

Skydive record attempt

If you’ve always wanted to try a skydive there’s a chance this Autumn to do so and break a World record at the same time.

UK Parachuting at Beccles Airfield hopes to encourage 200 people to undertake a tandem skydive on the same day – all in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance - and break the record. If you raise £300 or more in sponsorship money then the parachute jump won’t cost you anything.

To find out more visit www.ukparachuting.co.uk/events or phone 01502 476112 .

Lift off 21

How to help us New merchandise range launched In our last issue of ‘Anglia Lift Off’ we included a brochure of sale items available in our website shop. We had a fantastic response from supporters, which led to a number of the items selling out altogether. We’d like to thank everyone who supported this special sale, raising valuable income for our charity.

In this issue, if you have received it through the post, we’ve included our new season’s brochure which launches our Christmas card range for 2013 as well as a brand new range of merchandise. These are available to purchase in a number of ways: Online in our shop, by phone or by returning the form enclosed with this magazine. Some of the items will also be available from our fundraising teams at the events they attend.

Our new range of merchandise features branded items as well as a number of unbranded gift ideas which will still be raising money for the charity when you purchase them. Our team has undertaken careful research in choosing the items we’ll be stocking.

EAAA merchandise administrator Jenny Easton said: “Our supporters and volunteers gave us loads of ideas and feedback, which were really helpful when we came to update and refresh our range. We then went to a large trade fair as well to look at the very latest gifts and branded practical items that we felt would most appeal to the EAAA’s supporters. I hope that the fresh and modern range we’ve selected will have something to appeal to everyone, adults and children alike.”

Since our online shop launched a few months ago we’ve seen a huge increase in orders across our entire range of merchandise. We could not have met this demand without the help of the fulfilment house that has worked with us for some years now, Norwich-based Interpac.

Interpac is a family run business offering fulfilment, collation, pick, pack and dispatch services to a number of businesses. Jenny added: “The team at Interpac have ensured our supporters’ orders are sent out diligently and reliably which is so important when offering a website shop service.”

The Heartstart course in Am pthill

Visit our charity shop Our charity shop in Ipswich is always in need of donations of good quality items for sale.

Unfortunately we are not able to collect items and if you are bringing in a large amount or making a special journey we advise you to telephone first to ensure there will be someone to receive them. The number is 07917 227081. The shop can be found at 2 Orwell Place, Ipswich.

If you can spare some time to help at the shop then we’d also be very happy to hear from you. Please call our Suffolk fundraising office on 01473 745007.

We had also been fortunate enough to have several months’ use of a shop in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, thanks to the generosity of the landlord, until a new tenant took it over in May this year. The shop, on Bedford Street, gave us a wonderful public presence and many opportunities to meet existing and new supporters. It was not a charity shop in the traditional sense but more of an information and volunteer recruitment centre. It also provided a great location when local EAAA volunteer Bruce Henninger organised a series of two-hour ‘Heartstart’ courses.

These were run by Bill Brady, a very experienced former police officer and paramedic. The six courses held over three days were well attended covering both CPR and Basic Life Saving skills. As well as providing training for almost 60 people, donations to the charity amounted to over £200.

22 Lift off

The Five Problems 1. Future Re-marriage Say a husband dies �rst and leaves everything to the wife. The wife then remarries and dies before the second husband. Her estate transfers to the second husband. He means to make a Will to put things right but does not get round to it and accordingly on his death the whole estate devolves to his children and the children of the original couple are disinherited.

2. Large Probate Fees Probate costs are often much higher than people expect. With fees from some solicitors often in tens of thousands of pounds, with a modest estate of £350,000 at a 3% charge the fees would be £10,500. Not only that, there is the inconvenience and normally substantial delay in administering someone’s estate especially on the second death.

3. Unreliable Children Unfortunately there are many clients who have children with problems, whether they be drug, alcohol or gambling problems or indeed children with unstable marriages. When the parent dies, it is therefore not advisable that a large proportion of the estate devolves to such children but, of course, that is what usually happens.

4. Incapacity If you �nd yourself in the position of incapacity due to in�ury or illness and have not nominated an attorney to take over your affairs, the only way forward is to apply to the Office of the Public Guardian, which can be costly and difficult for family to deal with.

5. Care Costs You may never have thought about long term care costs before or you may already know of someone who has been forced to sell the family home in order to pay for care fees. It may also be something you don’t want to think about, especially if you are in good health, but the statistics regarding long-term care make for sombre reading.

How does a Family Asset Protection Trust work?

Consider the Trust as a safety deposit box in which you place your house. Your trustees hold the keys but they only take their instructions from you, the settlor.

No one else can access the deposit box without your authority, not even the local authority. In fact as far as they are concerned, you no longer own your house.

The idea of the trust is to keep your home safely away from care fee assessment, future probate costs, problems if you become incapacitated or unreliable children, but not away from you.

setting up a Family Asset Protection Trust, Calll Heritage on 01603 894500 or Complete this reply slip To obtain your guide to the “Family Asset Protection Trust”, simply complete your details IN FULL, tear off the reply slip and post it to: Heritage Legal & Financial Ltd - 13 Hellesdon Park Road, Drayton High Road Norwich NR6 5DR

Name .......................................................................................................

Address ....................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................

Post Code .......................................................................................................

Telephone Number ....................................................................................................... *Telephone number must be included

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