Flight for life Spring/Summer 2017

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

www.ehaat.org

START YOUR ENGINES MOTORCYCLE RUN BREAKS CHARITY RECORDS

A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS

QUICK-THINKING CPR SAVED MY LIFE

COLCHESTER HALF MARATHON

RAY WINSTONE LAUNCHES SHOP

Find out how the Charity will be celebrating 20 years of saving lives this summer.

Amy Williams had an emergency dash to hospital when her heart stopped.

Colchester Colne Round Table raised thousands for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

Charity Ambassador Ray Winstone opened our new Charity shop in Royston.

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE? 04

News

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Amy’s story

09

Summer of Open Gardens

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inners of the W Flight for Life Lottery

Alstons upholstrery Alstons Upholstery Alstons upholstrery has been successfully Alstons Upholstery designing and has been making successfully stylish upholstery designingfor and over making 60 years. stylish upholstery for over 60 years.

Alstons Upholstery has been successfully designing and making stylish upholstery for over 60 years.

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Retail fundraising

14

Fabulous fundraisers and volunteers

All the products are made entirely Allinthe our products Colchester are made factoryentirely by skilled in our craft Colchester smen using factory traditional by skilled and latest craftsmen techniques. using traditional and latest techniques.

All the products are made entirely in our Colchester factory by skilled craftsmen using traditional and latest techniques.

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We high We standards, pride ourselves not only on in in very our furniture high standards, but not only in our furniture but Wepride prideourselves ourselvesononvery very high standards, not only our furniture in the way in which we run our business. in the way in which we run our business. but in the way in which we run our business.

Year of A Celebrations

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Michael’s story

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Clinical News

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Events

WELCOME

TO THE FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE

www.alstons.co.uk www.alstons.co.uk 2 01206765 765343 343 01206 THANK YOU

… to MDS Civil Engineering Ltd for sponsoring the Colne Valley Cycle Ride in May 2016

GET IN TOUCH

M

DS

CIVIL ENGINEERING LTD

We love hearing your fundraising news and receiving your feedback.

EMAIL US:

contactus@ehaat.org CALL US:

… to Fultons and Raine & Co for sponsoring our Royal Afternoon Tea initiative across both counties last summer … to Waterhouse Cars and Palmers for sponsoring our Acrobatic Days in Chelmsford and Hitchin last September … to Cordell Maintenance for sponsoring our Heart of Herts Casino Night this February

0345 2417 690 WRITE TO US:

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Flight House The Business Centre Earls Colne Colchester Essex CO6 2NS

@Essexairamb @Hertsairamb

/Essexairambulance /Hertsairambulance

JANE GURNEY Chief Executive Officer ESSEX & HERTS AIR AMBULANCE www.alstons.co.uk

01206 765 343 2

Looking over the contents of this issue, I am constantly reminded of how far our Charity has come over the past 20 years. For us, 2017 is an exciting year to celebrate the challenges we’ve accomplished and the successes of the past two decades.

This March, we launched a new look and feel for the Charity. As of this year, the Air Ambulances of Essex and Hertfordshire have been partnered for a decade, and with 2017 being such a milestone year for us, we thought it was time to finally bring together the two arms of the Charity and use one distinctive logo.

You’ll be able to see the next exciting stage of our rebrand at our 20th anniversary celebration on Sunday 25th June 2017, as we unveil our rebranded fleet, including our brand new helicopter. Find out about how you can join us to celebrate at Audley End House on page 17.

We’ve made a lot of strides forward over the past few months, including some crucial developments in our Operations and Clinical teams. We are now operating a Double Pilot Scheme, to ensure that our medical focus is on the patient at all times during transit, and we’re thrilled to introduce our brand new Patient Liaison Managers, who will be dedicated to providing the best possible support for our former patients post-recovery.

We’re excited to introduce an extra Summer Raffle this year to help with our Year of Celebrations – make sure you get your tickets to be in with a chance of winning the prize of a lifetime, a VIP trip to the Leonardo factory in Milan, the birthplace of our new Agusta Westland AW169 helicopter!

I do hope you can join us in celebrating this special year, and thank you all for your continued support. Without you, we simply couldn’t save lives.

CONTACTS ESSEX GENERAL ENQUIRIES:

0345 2417 690

HERTS GENERAL ENQUIRIES:

0345 5040 055 EMAIL:

contactus@ehaat.org WEBSITE:

www.ehaat.org LOTTERY HOTLINE:

0345 2417 688

– PUBLISHED BY:

Focus Integrated www.focusintegrated.co.uk EDITOR:

Lorna Mackinnon lorna.mackinnon@ehaat.org COVER SHOT:

Warren Page REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER:

1108989

www.ehaat.org

3

NEWS

ROUND-UP

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTIES...

ADVENTURERS RAISE THOUSANDS

Isobel Pilswort h receives her award at the AAA Aw ards

A team of intrepid travellers raised more than £17,000 when they ventured to Slovenia for our annual fundraising trek.

The group explored gorges, snowcapped mountains, glacial lakes and crystal clear rivers before enjoying the city of Bled on the banks of picturesque Lake Bled, during the trek in September 2016.

“It was a challenging trek but the group’s teamwork and high morale pushed them to the finish line.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored our trekkers, Classic Tours for organising the trek, and the support team in Slovenia.”

Maria Alexander – Head of Fundraising

AN ENHANCED, BETTER, LONGER SERVICE Last winter we introduced two new initiatives that will ensure the pre-hospital care we provide is more patient focused than ever.

We now fly with two Pilots which allows the Critical Care Paramedic to assist the Pre-hospital Care Doctor with the patient as they are transported to the most appropriate hospital. It also introduces an additional level of safety.

Additionally, one of our Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV) now attends emergencies from 6pm until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights so when the helicopter stops operating at sunset, the Clinical team can continue on two of the busiest nights of the week.

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Already the team has helped patients across the region with medical emergencies and those involved in road traffic collisions and other incidents.

“ These changes mean our Charity is able to provide an even more comprehensive critical care service to patients most in need. People don’t stop falling ill after dark but up until January this year we were only able to respond to emergencies until dusk.

These two new initiatives mean we can continue to help those most in need.”

Cliff Gale – Operations Director

FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER 2017

DOUBLE WIN AT PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS EHAAT’s very own Critical Care Paramedic, Erica Ley, and one of our youngest fundraisers were recognised for their dedication and hard work when they were presented with awards at the national Association of Air Ambulances Awards of Excellence in November last year.

Erica, who specialises in critical care, has been with us since 2013 and saw off tough competition to be crowned Paramedic of the Year.

Isobel Pilsworth was just five years old when she cycled 40 miles and raised thousands of pounds for the Charity after her dad was airlifted to hospital following a cardiac arrest in 2015.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS Our Christmas campaign included the popular Lights for Flights initiative, which led residents to create dazzling festive displays for all to enjoy.

In total the campaign, which also saw festive supporters carol singing and wearing Christmas jumpers, raised more than £25,000.

Isobel accepted her Young Fundraiser of the Year award from hosts BBC News reporter and presenter Sophie Long and Helicopter Heroes presenter Rav Wilding.

Jane Gurney, CEO of EHAAT, said: “We couldn’t do our work without the constant support of fundraisers like Isobel, and Erica is a perfect example of the talented professionals we are privileged to work with at EHAAT.”

This was the most successful Christmas campaign for the Charity so far and a massive thank you goes out to everyone whose efforts mean we can continue saving lives across the region.

A ROYAL CELEBRATION Our Royal Afternoon Tea initiative, in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday in June last year, raised a staggering £25,000. If you’d like to take part in this June’s A Very British Afternoon Tea register at www.ehaat.org

Maria C ann serv es up a Royal fe ast!

www.ehaat.org

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NEWS Sponsored by

CH

N – TO – HARWI

FORD DUNTO

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR MOTORCYCLE RUN It was a phenomenally successful year for the 17th annual Essex Motorcycle Run and Harwich Family Festival, which in September last year raised a staggering £48,000.

CROSS COUNTY ADVENTURERS BRAVE HEATWAVE Determined fundraisers braved 31 degree heat to walk 50 miles across the Essex countryside during the threeday Base2Base Challenge in July last year, walking from North Weald to Earls Colne and spending two nights camping out under the stars.

The team of nine walked 127,000 steps and consumed more than 2,000 litres of water over the weekend!

More than £10,000 was raised and for one walker it was a chance to say thank you to the Paramedic who helped save his dad’s life.

Michael Todd had no idea that Critical Care Paramedic Tony Stone was taking part in Base2Base until they began walking.

Michael’s dad had broken his back after a fall in 2015 when Tony and the Air Crew airlifted him to hospital. Michael was delighted to meet a member of the Crew who had meant so much to his family.

Michael, of Canvey Island, said: “It was great to meet him and my dad was chuffed I was doing the walk.”

Around 4,000 bikers, including some from Europe, made the 60-mile road trip from Basildon to Harwich, enjoying a gravity defying display of motorcycle acrobatics from Bolddog Freestyle Motocross (FMX) before setting off from Ford Dunton Technical Centre.

RUNNERS PUT BEST FOOT FORWARD Huge thanks goes to the determined runners who participated in the Griffin Chapman Colchester Half Marathon last month on our behalf, raising thousands of pounds for the Charity.

Jen Wall, Volunteer and Events Manager, said: “A big thank you goes to our sponsor Woodland Group, and the Essex Police Outriders, Ford Motor Company, Harwich Connexions, Harwich Motorcycle Club, Essex GoldWings, Essex Police Motorcycle Unit, Essex Highways and Harwich Rugby Club, local business supporters and volunteers, who all helped to make the day such a huge success.”

This year the organisers, Colchester Colne Round Table, chose Essex & Herts Air Ambulance as the sole beneficiary of the event, which will contribute thousands of pounds to our life-saving service. More than 80 volunteers joined us in ensuring the day ran smoothly.

For more information visit www.ehaat.org

FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER 2017

ted at th e Earls Colne A irfield

If you’re ready to put your best foot forward then sign up to the next Base2Base Challenge coming in July.

For more information visit www.ehaat.org

Thousands of spectators welcomed them to a gloriously warm day on Harwich Green, where family fun, music, food and entertainment continued throughout the day.

Plans are already in place for the 18th annual event on September 10th this year but if bikers are keen to get involved before then, our Motorcycle Run and North Weald Family Fun Day will take place on May 21st. Starting from Hertfordshire Police premises in Welwyn Garden City, the ride will end at North Weald Airfield with lots of fun for all the family.

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After th e hike, walkers celebra

“The runners trained really hard in the months leading up to the half marathon and on the day they all gave their best. A big thank you to Colchester Colne Round Table for making us the sole beneficiary of the event.

It has been a tremendous boost and one which will ensure our helicopters continue to save lives across the region.”

Sabi Stafford Essex Fundraising Manager

www.ehaat.org

7

FEATURE

FEATURE

GET PLANTING FOR OUR ANNUAL SUMMER OF OPEN GARDENS

QUICKTHINKING CPR SAVED MY LIFE

Last summer’s beautiful sunshine was the perfect backdrop for our annual Summer of Open Gardens initiative.

Sponsored by Baby Bio®, the 2016 initiative ran throughout the summer and invited green-fingered gardeners to open up their gardens for all to enjoy.

Visitors simply made a small donation to enter and some enjoyed tea and cake provided by the hosts.

What started as a relaxing day off from college ended in an emergency dash to hospital for teenager Amy Williams, when her heart suddenly stopped.

Amy, 17 at the time, suffered a seizure and a cardiac arrest minutes after stepping off a bus in Clacton, Essex.

It is in part thanks to the quick thinking of her friend, Brandon Finch, that Amy, of Capel St Mary, has since made a full recovery.

Amy learns CPR with Essex & Herts Air Ambulance as Brandon watches on

Marsh and Critical Care Paramedic Phil Almond enhanced the successful resuscitation started by Brandon and placed Amy into an induced coma to help her breathe more easily. Amy was then airlifted to Basildon Hospital.

Dozens of gardeners took part and raised over £14,000 for the Charity. Our flagship event was held at Hopleys Garden Centre in Hertfordshire, where BBC Essex’s gardening expert, Ken Crowther, gave top tips and answered questions. Visitors enjoyed taking in the breathtaking landscaped gardens throughout the day.

We are now inviting gardeners to support us again for our 2017 Summer of Open Gardens, so if you take pride in your garden and would like to support your local life-saving Charity, then contact us now!

No stranger to medical issues, Amy had suffered from an indented chest from the age of 10, which meant her chest bone was pressing on her heart. The condition left Amy easily out of breath and suffering chest pains but in June 2015 she underwent an operation to move her chest bone out, giving her heart the space it needs to do its job.

All was well until Amy suffered the seizure and cardiac arrest in February 2016.

Amy and Brandon meet Clinical Care Paramedic Phil Almond

Brandon, who learned First Aid and CPR skills during martial arts black belt training when he was 13, says: “When Amy had a seizure I knew from my First Aid training that you have to leave someone to get through it, which she did.

“When she fell and I realised she wasn’t breathing I began CPR and chest compressions until the land ambulance arrived.”

The land ambulance was called and arrived within minutes, followed shortly by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. Pre-hospital Care Doctor Ian Tyrell-

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Jen Wall, Volunteer and Events Manager at EHAAT, said: “We’d like to thank all those who kindly opened up their beautiful gardens and offered tea and cake to visitors, to Hopleys Garden Centre for hosting our flagship event and to Baby Bio®, without whom we could not have planned such a great Summer of Open Gardens.

“We’ve just launched our 2017 Summer of Open Gardens and would like to encourage more people to take part this year and visit an open garden in their community.”

The Flagship Garden will be open at Castle Farm, Lower Luton Road, Wheathampstead, AL4 8HU from 2–5pm on Sunday 14th May.

“ IF HE HADN’T KNOWN CPR I WOULDN’T BE HERE, AS I AM, TODAY” Amy says: “It has taken me a while to process what happened to me and how Brandon helped save my life. If he hadn’t known CPR I wouldn’t be here, as I am, today.”

Amy was fitted with an internal defibrillator and visited the Earls Colne Airbase six months later to meet the clinical team who airlifted her.

She also took part in the Charity’s CPRathon, learning how to perform the life-saving skill.

Together with her friends and family Amy also donated £270 to the Charity.

FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER 2017

MAY TO

SEPTEMBER

2017

www.ehaat.org

If you’d like to host an open garden, email hannah.goodchild@ehaat.org for a FREE fundraising pack. www.ehaat.org

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FLIGHT FOR LIFE LOTTERY

£15,666.78

FLIGHT FOR LIFE MARK KING FROM RAYLEIGH WON AFTER A 3-WEEK ROLLOVER

MEET SOME OF OUR LUCKY LOTTERY WINNERS...

“ GETTING THE CALL WAS A WONDERFUL SURPRISE AND IT JUST SHOWS PEOPLE DO WIN. SINCE MY WIN SOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVE NOW SIGNED UP, WHICH IS GREAT.”

Even if you haven’t won the lottery, you’re still a winner in our eyes – without you we couldn’t continue to fly and save lives on a daily basis!

The Flight for Life Lottery is getting bigger and better every year thanks to our players.

With more than 156,000 chances to win, the Lottery has raised £22 million since it was launched in 1998. There have been over 15,000 winners in that time, who have won a share of over £2 million in prize money.

Lottery Manager Nicole Wastell said: “Joining our lottery is a fun way to support the Charity. This year we will also be running a special Summer Raffle to celebrate our 20th anniversary of saving lives. If anyone is interested in taking part then we would love to hear from you.”

It costs just £1 a week to join the Flight for Life Lottery and be in with a chance to win up to £1,000. Players can increase their chances of winning a larger jackpot by also entering our Superdraw for an additional £1 each week. If a winner is not found for the Superdraw, the jackpot rolls over each week until it reaches a maximum of £25,000.

Registering has never been easier.

Just sign up online at www.ehaat.org and share the news with family and friends!

£7,881 JANET EARL FROM BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH WON IN THE SUPERDRAW AFTER JOINING IT JUST A FEW MONTHS EARLIER.

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JO GENEROUSLY SPLIT HER WINNINGS EQUALLY BETWEEN HER TWO SONS, NOT EVEN SPOILING HERSELF WITH A LITTLE TREAT.

FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER 2017

Nicole Wastell – EHAAT Lottery Manager

PHIL LUTON FROM CANVEY ISLAND

£7,931

“ MY WIFE THOUGHT I WAS PULLING HER LEG WHEN I TOLD HER. SHE EVEN RANG THE LOTTERY TEAM TO CHECK! WE TREATED OURSELVES TO A CREAM TEA TO CELEBRATE!”

JO ARNOLD FROM ST ALBANS

£8,054 www.ehaat.org

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FUNDRAISING

CHARITY SHOPS

RAY WINSTONE LAUNCHES NEW CHARITY SHOP IN ROYSTON

BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH 50 Station Road Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8BQ 01621 784837 ROYSTON Ray Win stone se rves his custome first r behind the Roys ton till

14 Church Lane Royston SG8 9LG 01769 256938 MERSEA ISLAND Barfield Road West Mersea CO5 8QT 01206 385913 WARE 3 High Street Ware SG12 9BP 01920 463365 THE LITTLE FUNDRAISING SHOP

ACTOR AND CHARITY AMBASSADOR, RAY WINSTONE, JOINED OUR CEO, JANE GURNEY LAST MONTH TO OPEN OUR NEW CHARITY SHOP IN ROYSTON.

Charity staff and volunteers celebrated the opening alongside VIP guests including Robert and Claire Smith, whose daughter Milli was just 20 hours old when she was airlifted in 2015, Dr Neville Reyner CBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Councillor Sarah Dingley, Mayor of Royston, Council Leader John Booth, Anni Ridsdill Smith and Rob Forsyth, EHAAT Trustees.

Inside the shop Ray made his debut behind the till and served our first customer, toddler Jack Booth, grandson of Council Leader, John Booth.

Ray said: “Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is crucial to helping save lives across our counties. Please support them too; after all it is for you.”

Matt Seccombe, Head of Retail for the Charity said: “We’re very grateful to the people of Royston for welcoming our Charity shop into their community. Our Charity continues to make a difference to people’s lives every single day, and by the public visiting our shops, they’re helping our life-saving service to continue operating.”

Royston is the Charity’s fourth shop. Our first shop on Mersea Island, Essex, generates over £70,000 each year for the Charity. Hertfordshire’s first shop was launched in Ware in December 2015.

Donations can be dropped off at any of our shops during opening hours. If you’d like to volunteer at one of our shops visit www.ehaat.org

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FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER 2017

MANAGERS’ TOP PICKS

27 High Street Brightlingsea CO7 0AG Val Pryor p with her to e picks of th season

Val Pryor, Manager of the Mersea Island shop says: “We’ve had a couple of wonderful vintage tea sets come in which people love, particularly when they are holding afternoon tea parties for friends and family. Hats are also a good seller.”

Shop Manager Theresa Collier at Burnham-on-Crouch says: “Primark recently donated two mannequins to us – one adult and one child one – which meant for World Book Day in March, we dressed the child one up as a wicked witch and the adult one in a beautiful gold evening dress, which sold in five minutes!”

01206 306587 This independent shop raises money for charity including the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

CLOTHES BANKS Essex & Herts Air Ambulance has over 50 clothing banks across both counties. Your unwanted clothes can help us save lives.

For more information about our clothes banks visit www.ehaat.org

www.ehaat.org

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FUNDRAISING

PARIS ADVENTURE

INSPIRATIONAL FUNDRAISER For most of us walking three miles is not an issue. For Tara McIntyre of Braintree it was a milestone in her recovery after suffering horrific injuries when a drunk driver ploughed into the side of her car.

Novice cyclist Alice Montrose got on her bike to ride from London to Paris after her granddad was airlifted by the Charity.

Alice embarked on the 320-mile, 4-day ride with housemate Rhiannon Price and other cyclists from across the UK. Alice and fellow cyclists faced the challenges of London rush hour traffic, punctures, heavy rainfall, rolling hills and Parisian congestion to complete the ride. In total Alice raised more than £2,500.

SMASHING TARGET!

A black-tie dinner organised by the parents of Millicent Smith, who was airlifted aged just 20 hours old, raised an amazing £47,500 for the Charity last summer.

The group, largely comprised of a team from MWH Global’s office in High Wycombe with close friends and family, decided to take on the challenge after a colleague’s family was involved in a horrific car accident in 2015 near Colchester.

Team member Giles Hird said: “The thought of what the Air Ambulance had done that day kept us going. We had set a fundraising target of raising the cost of two missions – around £5,000 – but we smashed it. Everyone was incredibly generous and we raised £11,122 altogether.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance airlifted two patients that day, including five-year-old Lucille Troke who suffered life-threatening abdominal injuries as well as a spinal cord injury, causing paralysis from the waist down.

“Lucille is doing really well. She is an amazing girl and it is without doubt thanks to the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance that she is still here. Through tragedy come these remarkable stories.”

GALA DINNER Generous guests at Beresfords estate agent’s very first gala ball raised a staggering £14,000 in one night last October. More than 150 guests enjoyed a night of dinner, dance, magic and a live auction with lots including the services of a private chef for eight guests and a Maserati for the weekend.

Nicki Traffers, Group Marketing Manager at Beresfords, said: “We are an Essex-based business and we wanted to help the local community, so learning that Essex & Herts Air Ambulance has to generate its own funds to save lives was shocking.”

FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER SPRING 2017 2017

Critical Care Pa ramedic out raff Tony Sto le ticke ts at th ne hand e event s

wer Eiffel To s at the

Alice says: “I felt very proud for achieving what we did considering we had only had road bikes for 3 months. It was made all the more special as we were doing it for a cause very close to our families.

People were so generous with their donations.”

LEWIS HAMILTON SUIT AUCTIONED FOR CHARITY

A group of 16 friends braved the wind and rain when they cycled 112km across Buckinghamshire’s Chiltern Hills in May 2016.

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lebrate Alice ce

Tara suffered severe brain injury that left her unable to walk and talk but last year the inspirational fundraiser completed a sponsored walk and raised £4,478 for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, which treated her and airlifted her to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

The three-mile walk took Tara over three hours but she was determined to make it through.

Tara, who held a cake sale and now also volunteers for the Charity, is planning a sponsored trike ride on The Flitch Way in 2018.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance saved my life. If they weren’t there, I wouldn’t be here. This was my way of saying thank you.

VOLUNTEER NEWS We are proud to have the support of 280 wonderful volunteers, without whom our events would not be so successful or run so smoothly. Our volunteers help us spread news about Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, our patients’ incredible stories and the hard work of our Air Crew.

HERE’S ONE VOLUNTEER’S STORY

EHAAT CEO Jane Gurney with Crew and staff

Suzanne Harvey became a volunteer after spotting an advert for a trek organised by the Charity.

Milli’s parents Robert and Claire of Elmdon hosted the dinner and auction, where the lots included Lewis Hamilton’s F1 winning racing suit, which raised £5,500, a box at the Royal Albert Hall and a week’s villa stay in Mallorca.

Suzanne says: “After taking part in the trek I found I really enjoyed helping the Charity’s staff. I love the Charity and what it stands for. I like knowing that in a small way I have helped save someone’s life.

Claire said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported Millicent’s dinner so generously. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is such an amazing Charity and makes a real difference to people’s lives.”

“I volunteer Monday to Friday evenings and weekends. I try to attend one event a month minimum but sometimes it’s more, sometimes less.

There are a diverse range of volunteering opportunities with the Charity, including attending events, helping in the Charity office, volunteering in our Charity shops, speaking engagements and going out into the community with collection tins.

To find out more visit www.ehaat.org or email hannah.goodchild@ehaat.org

www.ehaat.org

15

EVENTS

THIS SUMMER, THE CHARITY WILL BE CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SAVING LIVES

A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS

Two decades ago Essex Air Ambulance took its first tentative steps as an airborne life-saving Charity. We have continued to evolve into Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance, with a bigger fleet, receiving more support than we could ever have dreamed of all those years ago, including from our group of dedicated volunteers, and our former airlifted patients who continue to inspire us every day by sharing their stories of bravery and recovery. To mark this special period we are planning lots of exciting activities our supporters can take part in.

25TH JUNE 2017 – 30TH JUNE 2018 Are you celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, wedding or a personal milestone? If so, we’d like you to celebrate with us! If you have everything you need, we would welcome your donation – and you could even ask family and friends to help out too. Whether it’s a pound for every year of your life, or just what you’d spend on presents anyway, it’s never too small to save a life.

If you are throwing a party this year, why not request one of our ‘Celebration’ collection boxes to encourage donations from your guests throughout the evening. Register your party and you’ll receive a special pack to help you throw a successful party, including posters, balloons and napkins! Invitations will also be available to download from our website.

A Year of Celebrations is a brilliant way for supporters old and new to help us commemorate our exciting milestone whilst making a difference and helping to save lives at the same time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE “A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS” PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE

www.ehaat.org OR CALL US ON

0345 2417 690

THE BIG EVENT 25TH JUNE 2017, 11AM– 4PM Join us at Audley End to kick off A Year of Celebrations in style!

On 25th June 2017, we’ll be hosting our Celebration Event at Audley End House and Gardens. It promises to be a fun day for all the family, but the highlight will be the unveiling of our newly branded fleet including our brand new helicopter, the Agusta Westland 169.

There will be something for everyone, including a vintage vehicle display, a games area for plenty of mischief, live music, and even a bird display featuring a ‘Harry Potter’ owl! We’ll also have amazing displays from other emergency services,

Sponsored by:

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FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER 2017

along with a fantastic selection of artisan food stalls, and even more to be confirmed!

THE BIG TOUR – COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU!

For a bonus – those of you wanting to know what it’s like to fly a helicopter can jump in our flight simulator to experience the feeling first hand. How will you fare in the Pilot’s seat? We would be honoured if you could join us to celebrate the past 20 years of saving lives.

We want as many supporters as possible to see our new Agusta Westland 169 aircraft up close, so we are touring Essex and Hertfordshire between Monday 26th June and Sunday 2nd July and will be landing at 20 different locations to celebrate 20 years of saving lives.

It’s free to join us on the day, but please register your interest at www.ehaat.org to be kept up to date with this exciting event.

Some of the towns on our list include: Colchester, Hemel Hampstead, Southend-on-Sea, and Cheshunt.

For full tour details you can visit our website. We hope to see you there!

SPECIAL SUMMER CELEBRATION RAFFLE Have you always wanted to see helicopters up close? Now you can win an amazing trip to Italy with £500 spending money to see the Leonardo helicopter factory, the birthplace of the Charity’s new Agusta Westland 169.

The top prize of our special summer celebration raffle is a VIP trip for two people to Italy, including an ‘access all areas’ tour of the factory, as well as flights, transfers, accommodation and meals included – all thanks to Leonardo Helicopters.

We will be selling raffle tickets at the Celebration event on the 25th June, but if you would like tickets to be sent to you then please call the Lottery Team on 0345 2417 688.

Leonardo helicopter factory

www.ehaat.org

17

FEATURE

NEWS This year we will be recruiting five new Critical Care Paramedics. But what does it take to join our highly skilled Clinical team?

The recruitment process began in October 2016 when 127 Paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) applied for the posts.

These were reduced to 57 in the application process.

Clinical Manager Laurie Phillipson explains: “The people who make it through this stage have more than three years’ experience on the road, have undertaken study and research in their own time, and have a passion for pre-hospital care.”

The remaining 57 sit a written exam to test their clinical knowledge, reducing the remaining candidates to 24.

A practical exam follows which places them in a scenario in which they have to deal with a patient under difficult circumstances.

48 HOURS TO LIVE

“This could be anything from lots of noise, unpleasant smells to seeing distressing things. It not only tests clinical knowledge but management skills and ability to work under pressure and in a team. It’s those people who have the personal qualities we need,” adds Laurie.

Michael Pratt’s family were preparing for the worst when he suffered severe head injuries during a fall and was given just 48 hours to live.

The dad from Maldon had been at work in Witham in April 2015 when he fell six feet from the back of a lorry on to his head, leaving him with head injuries including several skull fractures.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance was on the scene within minutes of receiving the call and, understanding the gravity of the situation, Critical Care Paramedic Simon Probert and Pre-hospital Care Doctor Naomi Pritchard put Michael into an induced coma for his own safety.

“IT IS THANKS TO THE HOSPITAL AND TO ESSEX & HERTS AIR AMBULANCE THAT I SURVIVED THAT FALL AND HAVE COME OUT OF IT WITH JUST THESE SIDE EFFECTS”

Michael and his family met the Air Crew who saved his life

Michael says: “When I woke up three weeks later I was blind in my right eye and almost deaf in my right ear. I had terrible tinnitus and I couldn’t walk because I had been laid up in bed so long.”

“It took just over a year before I went back to work two days a week. I have reduced sight in my right eye and reduced hearing in my right ear. I have lost my sense of smell and I suffer terribly with fatigue.

A TOUGH INTERVIEW FOR A TOUGH JOB

“But all of that is good considering the hospital only gave me 48 hours to live,” adds Michael.

Adam Carr and Tony Stone are our new Patient Liaison Managers and will work with patients after they have been treated to help their emotional and practical recovery.

Michael’s mum Joyce Wynter raised £371.30 by hosting her own Afternoon Tea as part of the Charity’s Royal Afternoon Tea initiative last year.

FLIGHT FOR LIFE MAGAZINE / SPRING/SUMMER 2017

“ It’s a tough process, but for those who are successful, it’s what they’ve been working towards for a long time.”

Laurie Phillipson – Clinical Manager The successful candidates will begin their training later this summer.

MEET OUR NEW PATIENT LIAISON MANAGERS

Michael visited the Charity’s North Weald Airbase to say a personal thank you to Simon and Naomi who attended to him on the day.

He was then flown to the Royal London Hospital where he received specialist treatment for major trauma.

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The successful candidates are invited to an interview, after which the Paramedics are chosen. However it doesn’t end there. Two months of training begin to equip the Paramedics to become operational Air Crew, including a surgical skills course and helicopter crew course, after which they have another assessment before they join the Air Crew.

Adam Carr ny Stone To d an

Adam and Tony have both worked with the Charity as Critical Care Paramedics for many years and are experienced in helping patients in emergency situations.

Adam explains: “Quite often patients don’t remember what happened to them so we will be here to help fill in those gaps, to explain what we did and why, and also point them in the direction of further support from organisations specific to their injuries or situation.”

If you have been a patient of our Charity and want to thank the Air Crew, visit our website at www.ehaat.org

www.ehaat.org

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EVENTS

WHAT’S ON IN 2017 May– Sept

SUMMER OF OPEN GARDENS

Across Essex & Hertfordshire

14th May

COLNE VALLEY CYCLE RIDE

21st May

MOTORCYCLE RUN & NORTH WEALD FAMILY FUN DAY

Earls Colne

Welwyn to North Weald Airfield

June

A VERY BRITISH AFTERNOON TEA

Across Essex & Hertfordshire

CELEBRATION EVENT Audley End – 25th June 2017 26th June– 2nd July 2nd July 21st–23rd July

CELEBRATION HELICOPTER TOUR

Locations across Essex & Hertfordshire SUMMER CYCLE RIDE

Welwyn Rugby Club BASE2BASE

North Weald to Earls Colne

5th August

ACROBATIC DAY

26th August

ACROBATIC DAY

Chelmsford Hitchin

10th September

MOTORCYCLE RUN & HARWICH FAMILY FUN DAY

11th–17th September

NATIONAL AIR AMBULANCE WEEK

7th–15th October 15th October December

Ford Dunton to Harwich Across Essex & Hertfordshire TREK TANZANIA

HELI HOUNDS

Stevenage LIGHTS FOR FLIGHTS

Across Essex & Hertfordshire

To find out more or to register for any of our events, please call

0345 2417 690 or visit

www.ehaat.org