Helipad Spring 2014

The Official Magazine of

The Farming Issue

Devon Air Ambulance Trust

Spring 2014

A day in the life...

Ian Payne

Helicopter Pilot

Riverford to the Rescue!

The Road to Diversification Fabulous Devon Farm Shops

Over

Patient Stories 50 mph Cycle Crash Dartmoor Rescue An Unusual Tribute plus many more...

Inside...

Join Our Weekly Lottery www.daat.orgg

75

Fantastic Fundraisers Inside The Greatest Gift

Leaving a legacy

Countryside towns HATHERLEIGH Find out how to get involved with our guide to events Regsitered Charity No.1077998 Company No.3855746

Top Tips for Devon Gardeners from RHS Rosemoor

Devon Air Ambulance Trust saves lives.

We help rebuild them.

If you have been in an accident you might be entitled to financial compensation.

We can help secure the funding needed to get your life back on track.

█ █ █ █

No win, no fee

Face to face meetings Home and hospital visits One dedicated lawyer assigned to your case

Welcome Contributors Writers Neil Devons Sarah Chesters David FitzGerald Dennis Bater Photographers Michelle Lovegrove Nigel Hare Geoff Hodgkinson Cerilian Photography Richard Lappas Publisher Heléna Holt h.holt@daat.org 01392 466666 Editor Debbie Gregory 01392 466666 ext*135 d.gregory@daat.org Advertising Sales Julie Hutchins j.hutchins@daat.org 07843 621463 Advertisement Copy copy@daat.org Design & Print Management Silver Foxes Publishing 07455 206470 Distribution & Mailing Silver Foxes Publishing 07455 206470 ISSN (Print) 2055-2343 ISSN (Online) 2055-2351 Next Issue 21 July 2014 is published by Devon Air Ambulance Trust Unit 5 Sandpiper Court Harrington Lane Exeter EX4 8NS T 01392 466666 E info@daat.org W daat.org Registered Charity No 1077998 Registered Company No 3855746

facebook.com/devonairambulancetrust @DevonAirAmb © All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form without prior permission of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Devon Air Ambulance Trust will not accept liability for loss or damage. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any omissions, errors or alterations or for the consequences of any reliance on these details; neither can they vouch for the accuracy of claims made by any advertiser. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

www.daat.org

Heléna Holt, Chief Executive Officer After the wettest winter on record, we’re delighted to welcome you to the Spring issue of Helipad, with hopes of longer, warmer, drier days ahead of us all! Fortunately, our Air Ambulances were able to keep flying despite the floods, which was of particular comfort to one patient who would otherwise have been stranded. See the aerial photograph of the flooded landscape on page 28.

Looking ahead, the year looks busy again for the team at Devon Air Ambulance Trust, with a calendar full of shows, festivals and fundraising activities to look forward to. You can see where we’ll be on pages 12 and 13.

Editor’s news As the weather continues to dominate conversations around the county, local farmers battle daily to overcome Mother Nature and in this issue you can see how some resilient farmers are diversifying and coming up with some of the very best produce available throughout our county.

Also, Sarah Chesters from RHS Rosemoor offers advice on dealing with soggy lawns and wayward hedges.

A father’s instinct to call the emergency services led to a mercy mission for 3-year old Eliza and an equestrian accident on Mother’s Day in 2009 left Paignton mum, Sam Garner, at rock bottom but you can read how the incident gave her the incentive to make some life-changing decisions.

We hope you enjoy the new look Helipad and, as always, we welcome your feedback. To contact me, please email d.gregory@daat.org or telephone 01392 466666 ext *135 Happy reading!

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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In this issue...

On The Cover Issue No.7 Spring 2014 Our cover image was photographed by George Bewley, aged 16, from Plymstock.

George was the winner in the country category 14-18 year old age group in our 2013 Capturing Devon photograhic competition.

7 8

The Official Magazine of

Devon Air Ambulance Trust

The Farming Issue

Spring 2014

A day in the life...

Ian Payne

Helicopter Pilot

Riverford to the Rescue!

The Road to Diversification Fabulous Devon Farm Shops

Over

75

Fantastic Fundraisers Inside

Patient Stories

The Greatest Gift

50 mph Cycle Crash Dartmoor Rescue An Unusual Tribute plus many more...

Leaving a legacy

Countryside towns HATHERLEIGH

Inside...

Find out how to get involved with our guide to events

Join Our Weekly Lottery www.daat.orgg

Regsitered Charity No.1077998 Company No.3855746

Top Tips for Devon Gardeners from RHS Rosemoor

Star Prizes

Meet the winners of an array of goodies – kindly donated by generous local businesses

Keeping In Touch

Just some of the lovely Facebook posts, Twitter messages and letters we’ve received recently

10 Read how Olly’s reactions helped 3-year old A Father’s Instinct

Eliza get the medical help she needed

On 12 What’s See the events and shows that are planned in

32 Christening Raises Funds For DAAT Unusual Tribute 15 An Nigel has a permanent reminder of the Air Ambulance helicopter

Is Springing 16 Spring Sarah Chesters offers advice for your gardens Just Once, But Twice 20 Not Claire and Chris Healy were both airlifted

from two separate incidents, by the same two paramedics

23 Hatherleigh Perhaps one of Devon’s best kept secrets?

your area

40 Volunteers

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Contents

20 Not Just Once, But Twice

12 What’s On

39 Bumps And Bruises

35 Retail

44 Businesses On Board Diversity 24 Farming How Devon’s farmers adapt in a changing industry

People 41 Devon Another amazing array of fundraising activities from around the county

Together 28 Pulling Riverford Farm steps in to help in a crisis

On Board 44 Businesses We thank just a few of our business supporters

Changing Decisions 30 Life Sam takes stock after falling from her horse on

Memory 46 InCharity Ball raises £10,000 in memory of Matt’s

Dartmoor

mum, Cathy

Raises Funds For DAAT 32 Christening A family christening raises funds after little

News 48 Operational DAAT is awarded its own air operating

Lead To Toxic Shock 33 Burns Alban is rushed to Frenchay Hospital

Chat 50 Back David FitzGerald enjoys some time

Betty is airlifted

certificate and we meet Captain Ian Payne

home-alone!

We Love To Talk!

35 Retail The importance of quality donations 37 Meet our Canvassers, coming to a Lottery

town near you

And Bruises 39 Bumps Jim is relieved that no bones were broken

We’re active on many social networks and media channels so you can keep up with everything we’re doing in-between issues. Follow us on Facebook, join the Twitter conversation, and watch our YouTube films. Look out for the new website coming soon at www.daat.org

40 Volunteers Would you like to join our team? www.daat.org

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Devon’s BEST furniture store, since 1990

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01626 830707 www.prestigefurniture.co.uk Battle Road, HeathďŹ eld TQ12 6RY Conveniently situated just 1 minute off the A38 near Bovey Tracey

Keeping In Touch

Star Prize Winners Kevin Presland, organiser of the Dartmoor Devil Cycle Ride donated £396 from a variety of fundraising events, with this heartfelt message

Whilst patient service goes with the territory with our charity, customer service is also an absolute given. We were delighted to see the following letter, received by our Mutley shop manager, Marie Young, after she looked after a holidaymaker whose husband had been taken ill and rushed to hospital...

Doreen receives some beautiful flowers, kindly donated by Dunstans of Heavitree dunstansofheavitree.co.uk

Marijke Doidge, from Bishopsteignton, is cycling from Coast to Coast in memory of her husband, Peter, who died last April. We wish her and her family the very best of luck!

Hello Rosey, Our fundraising and training are going really well, so far we have raised £2900! Just can’t believe it. Feeling really proud that we have achieved this amount. Just the cycle ride to follow....

Not long to wait now as we will be cycling next week. Really looking forward to it, can’t wait.

Please see attached a picture of myself, my son Tim and his girlfriend Marie in our Devon Air Ambulance t-shirts.

I will let you know how it all went.

Thanks Kind Regards Marijke Doidge

Marijke wins a £50 voucher, kindly donated

by Harry’s Bar & Restaurant Longbrook Street, Exeter. harrys-exeter.co.uk www.daat.org

Kevin wins two tickets to see Sister Act by TOADS, kindly donated by the Princess Theatre, Torquay. atgtickets.com/torquay

Creonne Baker sent us this letter and photo when she passed her motorcycle test.

Creonne wins two tickets to the Folky Fox Festival, kindly donated by the Snooty Fox Pub in St Marychurch, Torquay.

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Keeping In Touch Welcome to our Keeping In Touch pages. Interaction with our supporters is vital and we love hearing about the things that you get up to. Facebook and Twitter are now popular ways to keep in touch; a simple message often triggering the beginning of a long and fruitful friendship.

Twitter message from Fran McElhone @DevonAirAmb in Budleigh now. It’s so windy out v brave/clever pilot landing amongst the trees on The Green

Fol ow Us!

Join the conversation @DevonAirAmb to find out what we’ve been up to. All the latest news, fundraising and rescues!

Like Our Page!

Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/ devonairambulancetrust to see what Devon people are doing to save lives...

Facebook Message from Natalie I was helped out on Tuesday last week when my 1 year old daughter Halle had to be flown to Bristol Frenchay suffering with burns. I would like to send a personal thanks directly to the crew that helped us on that day, 3 amazing gentlemen. Is it possible you could give me details or do I need to go to their base at Middlemoor?

Thanks in advance, Natalie Facebook message from Amanda Parsons Found this gorgeous girl hiding behind a hedge. cc Devon Air Ambulance Trust#daat — at Buckland Abbey.

Facebook message from Ruthie Webster: Our little man was airlifted at 6 months he won’t remember but we will remind him of his 1st ever flight! We are so grateful to everyone at Devon Air Ambulance. THANK YOU Facebook message from Sue Scott: They saved my life.

Quick Donation!

Text Heli to 70300 to donate £3 to DAAT.

You will be charged £3 plus one standard rate text.

You will also be given the opportunity to make your money go even further if you are a tax payer by gift aiding your donation.

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The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

Facebook message from Russ Young Had a Horrific accident back in 1997 and if wasnt for the Devon Air Ambulance I would have had a rough ride by Land Ambulance from Barnstaple to Bristol.

Keep up the Good Work! www.daat.org

Keeping In Touch

Facebook message from Rick Walker Many people owe their lives to this charity that’s why I’m so very proud to have been a volunteer and done just a little to help.

Following the recent rescue of an injured patient from the beach near Gara Rock, we received the two following Twitter messages: From Prawle Point Coastguard: @DevonAirAmb - Absolutely fantasic service for rural areas! Just happened to be at the bottom of a long and steep hill as well.

And from Alex Graeme @UniqueDevonTours - @DevonAirAmb @PrawlPointCG Respect to Devon Air Ambulance for what they do around the county.

We still love receiving cards and letters too especially when they’re sent by our young patients.

A lovely card received from little Sam Cooper Stevens – rescued from the icy waters of Watchet Harbour a year ago and airlifted to Musgrove Park Hospital.

We have the utmost respect for patient confidentiality and we don’t know the details about the people we help until they contact us. But it’s great when we hear from them and we’re always delighted to pass on news to the crew who attended.

We received the following request from Tamsin Cole “Hello my name is Tamsin Cole. I was rescued by the air ambulance when they had just started in the 90’s and I received a teddy bear as a gift and I was wondering if it might be possible to get a new t-shirt for him sent out as mine has gone. it would mean the world to me thanks. hope to here from you soon” We were happy to send Tamsin a new Ambrose bear, which was followed by: “Oh god thank you so much I just received my new bear thank you - I’m so excited :)” A lovely thank you card was received by our Aircrew from 11 year old Grace after she had been airlifted after being kicked in the face following a fall from her horse.

To Dan Mark and Dave Thank you for taking me to hospital Love Grace A further message from mum, Sue, said: I’m pleased to say that Grace is now making a good recovery and is now back at school...

Email Message: Thanks to the crew who came out yesterday to Hennock. Jason is making good progress in hospital.

You guys ROCK!

How Can I Help?

Last year collections of your loose change added up to £172, 072.61 If your workplace, club, school, or office could host a collecting box call

01392 466666 www.daat.org

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Patient Story

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A Father’s Instinct When Olly Daglish collected his 3-year old daughter, Eliza, from nursery school one afternoon in September, he had no reason to suspect anything was wrong.

a short time later, however, Justhe realised that Eliza seemed

particularly tired and under the weather. By late afternoon, not having perked up at all, little Eliza seemed ready for bed and, surprisingly, even fell asleep as her dad carried her up the stairs.

Tucking her in and still concerned, Olly watched for a few moments.

He saw, to his horror, her eyes roll to the back of her head and it was clear that she was not just sleepy but unable to focus on anything.

Grabbing her back to him and realising that Eliza had become completely floppy, he ran back downstairs and dialled 999.

Olly remained on the phone for 15 minutes whilst the emergency call taker kept him calm and advised what to do. “I was so frightened but the lady on the phone was brilliant,” said Olly after the event. “I just switched into a different mode and I did what she said. Eliza was still fitting, her breathing was sporadic and her lips had turned blue. I put her in the recovery position but if I hadn’t had someone telling me to keep calm, I think I’d have lost the plot completely.”

The first responder to arrive at the family home in Tintagel was a land-crew paramedic, Steve Llewellyn-Ford, who administered oxygen to the little girl. Shortly after, the Devon Air Ambulance helicopter landed in a nearby field and paramedics Mark Hawley and Chris Saunders ran to help.

Whilst many children suffer febrile convulsions and all are worrying, Eliza’s seizure was far from normal.

As the paramedics continued to look after Eliza, Olly tried in vain to contact his wife, Anna, who was out with their 7-year old daughter Georgi, and he realised that he may have to accompany Eliza in the aircraft without Anna even knowing what was happening. Finally, to his relief, Olly reached a

friend who was with Anna, who calmly relayed the situation to her and Anna arrived home as the paramedics were giving Eliza medication prior to her transfer to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Watching the terrifying situation unfold before her eyes, Anna watched as Olly set off in the helicopter with their young daughter.

Paramedics Mark Hawley and Chris Saunders monitored Eliza during the flight and Olly feared the worst as her condition deteriorated further still. Eliza’s condition was still causing concern when she reached hospital and the emergency team recommended that Anna should get there as soon as possible.

Both parents then spent a worrying few hours as Eliza was treated, first in AEU then in the High Dependency Unit, with significant worries about the risk of brain damage.

Fortunately, just before midnight, Eliza came round and was very sick – but able to talk, much to everyone’s relief.

She was completely exhausted and remained in hospital, undergoing a multitude of tests, for a further three days.

The whole family were delighted to be reunited when Eliza came home and Olly and Anna are relieved that things have settled back down. “A heart murmur was detected during the tests,” Anna explained. “But, whilst this is being followed up by cardiology, it is not thought to have been the cause of the seizure. There is no history of convulsions in the family at all so it was a terrifying ordeal for everyone but we’re so glad that Eliza was in such good hands. Steve, Mark & Chris and Rob the pilot were all so calm and reassuring. We know that without the amazing job they did, things may have been very different.” o

www.daat.org

Helipad

Watching the terrifying situation unfold before her eyes, Anna watched as Olly set off in the helicopter with their young daughter

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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What’s On

Summer Events Another summer is fast approaching with events and activities guaranteed to keep the DAAT team, volunteers and friends busy and out of mischief! If you fancy joining us, here are just a few ideas...

22, 23 & 24 May – DEVON COUNTY SHOW

The fabulously colourful and jam-packed Devon County Show; complete with the very best of Devon’s breeders, food and ale producers, craftsmen and women and ‘all kinds of everything’ - a fantastic day out for all the family. Be sure to come and say hello: as well as our own DAAT stand, we’ll also be at Masons Kings and Vospers.

14 June – DRAGON BOAT RACING

Join us at Exeter Quay for our annual Dragon Boat Racing and have a splashing good time. Keep an eye on www.daat.org for further details.

12 July - The Ten Pub Walk

With numbers growing year on year, walkers and lovers of the great outdoors can join The Ten Pub Walk from Chagford to Okehampton. As the name suggests, there are plenty of watering holes along the 16-mile route so there’s no worry about dehydration! From an idea started by a group of Dartmoor Rescuers who realised that, whilst youngsters could take part in Ten Tors, there was nothing for adults – so the Ten Pub Walk was borne. With only 22 participating in 2000, there were over 400 in 2013 – with a fantastic £62,000 being raised over the years!

Check out www.tenpubwalk.co.uk for further details.

11, 12 & 13 July – Tiverton Balloon Festival

Balloons, competitions, catering, bars, over 35 live musical acts, children’s entertainment and family picnic areas are just some of the many attractions on offer to visitors at the event. And don’t miss out on the spectacular Fire and Light Show where the hot air balloons light up the sky in time to music.

6 July – Open Gardens Day

At Pecorama in Beer, East Devon. Free entry to the gardens and exhibitions and a chance to be a ‘Driver for a Fiver’ - a rare opportunity to have a go at driving one of Peco’s locomotives along a short stretch of track! With donations to DAAT.

13 July – Motorcycle Ride Out

Join the hundreds of bikers on the route from Tiverton to Teignmouth, through some of Devon’s most beautiful countryside. Or join the party at The Den in Teignmouth for an afternoon of live music, food and beverages.

19 July – Folky Fox Festival

Torbay’s only family friendly Folk and Acoustic charity event, held at The Snooty Fox Inn, St Marychurch, Torquay. Described

by Riviera FM as ‘a fab local event with an unbeatable atmosphere’ - so make sure you don’t miss it! Further details are available from www.folkyfox.bigcartel.com or www. facebook.com/folkyfox 12

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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What’s On

18, 19 July – Chagstock Music Festival

Referred to by Ade Edmonson as ‘The Best Little Festival in the West’; this year’s theme is The Wild West with The Lightning Seeds headlining on the Friday night and The Waterboys on the Saturday night.

28 July – 3 August – Seaton Air Ambulance Week 27 July – Mid Devon Show

At Hartnoll Farm, near Tiverton, this year the show celebrates its 21st birthday and is promoted as the best one day agricultural show in the west with non-stop activity from 9.00am to 5.30pm.

A whole week of fun and activities in Seaton’s Air Ambulance Week. Now in its 5th year, residents and holiday-makers, young and old, enjoy and participate in a range of entertainment over the whole eight days. Kicking off the week is the Bikers Day Out, organised by Jurassic Coast Bikers, followed by the famous Pooh Sticks Race. Fancy dress, live music, street performers and competitions will keep the whole family busy!

Watch out for our next issue of Helipad, out in July, for events later in the year – as we said, it’s a busy time!

28 July – Totnes Show

One of the biggest agricultural shows in the county, attracting thousands of visitors every year, the Totnes Show is now over 90 years old! With food and trade tents, demonstrations, displays and parades in the Show Ring and an acoustic music stage, there is something for everyone.

www.daat.org

See you there!

Helipad

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Photo: Chris Davison / Plymbridge Trail

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Patient Story

Unusual tribute to Devon Air Ambulance

When Nigel Pawson from Bideford felt pains in his chest while enjoying a coffee with his wife and his mum, he thought he was suffering from indigestion.

Nigel’s pains worsened, however, and his wife, Becky, soon realised that her husband wasn’t at all well. Nigel, aged 50, turned grey in palour and was then violently sick. As his mum called the emergency services, Nigel went completely limp and lost all feeling in his limbs.

A land ambulance crew were swiftly on the scene and Nigel remembers being asked if he could walk to the ambulance... but his legs went from under him. Recognising that he needed urgent hospital treatment, the ambulance crew drove Nigel to South Molton Rugby Club. Nigel recalls that his legs felt heavy and, as he explained, “I felt as if I had concrete round my ankles – even my flip flops were too heavy – and it was as if a steam roller had gone over me from my feet to my chest.”

The Devon Air Ambulance was waiting for Nigel at the Rugby Club, where the aircrew took over Nigel’s care and conveyed him swiftly to Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital where he received treatment for a heart attack with five stents being fitted.

A long-term supporter of Devon Air Ambulance and regular rider in their annual Motorcycle Ride Out, Nigel came up with a unique way of paying tribute to the charity... a helicopter tattoo on his forearm. “I wanted to come up with something that was a permanent thank you to them,” he explained. “I had it done by Scott Ogden of Davinci Ink in Northam, who had never been asked to do a Devon Air Ambulance helicopter before but he made a great job of it. It reminds me every day how grateful I am for their help.” o

Nigel came up with a unique way of paying tribute to the charity Nigel with son, Peter, and Becky

www.daat.org

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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Spring is finally springing...

Sarah Chesters, gardening expert at RHS Rosemoor, offers advice on getting your soil in shape after the winter soaking and some of her favourite plants to add colour and vigour to your garden this summer.

F

ollowing the wettest winter on record, most of our gardens are looking pretty bedraggled at best, but signs of spring have been showing through as the snowdrops and daffodils have battled on, and they really do lift our spirits.

So much so that we can start to think about planting a new container or border, or re-designing an old one. Your soil has probably had many of the nutrients washed out, so it’s important to replenish them this spring with well-rotted manure particularly around the roses, but also other shrubs and trees as well. Manure will have the added bonus of introducing some more worms to the garden which will help to drag the organic matter down into the ground, making tunnels for air and water, both of which are essential for healthy plant growth. A scattering of blood, fish and bone meal forked into the soil will also boost the nutrient levels and keep existing plants healthy.

If you are able to get into your garden and work the soil, then now is the time to introduce some new plants – the garden centres are full of them.

Some favourites of mine you might like to try: Wisteria – a wide selection depending on the area you’d like to cover, but make sure it has a good scent, there’s nothing quite like it.

Buy a grafted plant, as seed grown ones take much longer to flower.

Clematis montana – a vigorous and showy climber to scramble into trees, over sheds, up wall trellises and reward you with a wild froth of flowers which depending on variety may be white, pale or deep pink.

Syringa – the lilacs come in various colours and you can opt for a bush or a small tree depending on your garden.

Syringa microphylla is a great favourite of mine, growing to a rounded shrub up to 1.5 metres high, with small pale pink, scented flowerheads.

If you prefer a tree form there is a mouth-watering choice of

white, pink, lilac and purple.

Magnolia – if you have space and an acid soil (most prefer acid) these will reward you well. Plant them with care to shelter the blooms from frosts and cold winds if you can. There are so many large and small forms in a variety of colour, flower shape and size, but for smaller gardens Magnolia stellata is a good choice, though when you plant it allow it plenty of space to grow all round.

If you have a very warm, sunny, sheltered wall, try Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’ – the Chilean Potato Vine, a wall shrub which will be covered with large heads of lilac-blue flowers. A white, or rich purple Clematis could scramble up through it.

Californian lilacs will prefer a similar spot - the deciduous Ceanothus ‘Gloire de Versailles’, has sky-blue flowers, and responds well to pruning if you need to keep it within a certain space. Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ is an evergreen which will not stand too much pruning but has one of the deepest blue flowers, a good contrast with its dark green, evergreen foliage.

In the borders, Aquilegia, Dicentra and Iris will all add highlights to a border. Peonies, a great love of mine, usually have a brief flowering period, but I gain as much enjoyment from the attractive tufts of emerging foliage. Every year I count the flower buds of my favourites and enjoy the anticipation of them opening. Once open admire them every day, show them off to friends and family and savour their delicate scent - all too soon the pollen will drop into the base of the flowers and the petals will start to drop too.

Finally, if you have a cool, moist and slightly shady area, perhaps under deciduous trees, erythroniums and the smaller fritillaries are truly delightful with their gently nodding flowers.

Don’t forget to go out and visit gardens, large and small, you will often gain ideas for your own garden, maybe speak to the owners and probably return home with a new plant or two.o

If you are able to get into your garden and work the soil, then now is the time to introduce some new plants

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Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

www.daat.org

Gardens

Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial’

Gardens

Clematis montana var. grandiflora Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’

Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’

Advice Line...

Lawns – most will have become waterlogged at some point which is likely to result in moss and weeds. So take action this spring before it gets out of hand and becomes a bigger problem. Spike the lawn with a garden fork, preferably down to 4” (10cm) and brush in sharp sand. This will improve the aeration and drainage of the area, which in April can be treated with lawn feed and weed preparations – the latter alone will not improve the drainage which is the main problem. Every time the lawn becomes waterlogged repeat the spiking and brush in more sand.

Orchids – One of the commonest questions is what to do with a flower stem when the flowers have finished. This depends on the type of orchid but generally if the flower stem turns brown, cut it down to the base, but if the flower stem remains green, cut off the top third and this should encourage the dormant side buds to produce a second flush of flowers.

Hedges – once planted, these are often left to fend for themselves and yet you have a very densely planted area where each individual plant is competing with all the others for nutrients and water, even more so than the plants in the rest of your garden. Feed and mulch your hedges in late spring and trim perhaps three times a year, rather than once, avoiding bird nesting times and very hot/very dry conditions. In dry periods, make sure they are well watered.

Listen in to BBC Radio Devon every Sunday morning from 9.00 – 10.30am, when Sarah Chesters, from RHS Garden Rosemoor, will answer your gardening questions on Pippa Quelch’s programme.

Syringa vulgaris ‘Louis van Houtte’

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Husband and wife –

two airlifts, two different dates, same two paramedics On 5th December 2010, Chris Healy’s life was turned upside down when he learned that his wife, Claire, and two daughters, Alice and Megan, had been involved in a road traffic accident.

C

laire had been on her way to work, driving from Shebbear through Buckland Filleigh in North Devon when her vehicle spun on black ice. Knowing that she should steer into the skid, and worrying about her daughters being with her, Claire did her best to keep control but, despite brand new tyres, the car continued to spin across the road with the driver’s side crashing down into a gully.

As Claire’s head hit the windscreen and she lost consciousness, 16 year old Alice feared the worst had happened Chris with Alice and Megan. to her mum. Chris rushed to the scene, seeing an array of blue lights from emergency vehicles and a fire crew cutting the vehicle roof off to release his wife. His two daughters were being treated by a land crew and were taken by ambulance to North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.

Meanwhile, an aircrew from Devon Air Ambulance, including paramedics Mark Hawley and Mark Langley, was on hand to attend Claire and she was flown to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Claire has no recollection of anything from the moment the car went out of control and was unaware that she had been airlifted until some time later.

Claire spent the night in hospital having suffered concussion.

Her daughters had suffered minor cuts and bruises and, thankfully, were soon able to be reunited with their mum.

This incident, however, was just the first of two connections with Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

On New Year’s Day in 2012 it was Chris’ turn to need an airlift. It was mid-morning and Chris was in agonising pain, with no idea of what was causing the problem. As Chris collapsed, Claire called the emergency services and the Air Ambulance was despatched - coincidentally, it was the same two paramedics on duty who had attended Claire’s incident some thirteen months earlier! Mark Hawley and Mark Langley

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treated Chris at his home, before conveying him by helicopter to North Devon District Hospital for further investigation.

Following initial treatment for kidney stones and a number of tests and scans, an 11cm adrenal tumour was discovered and Chris began many weeks of treatment at Exeter Hospital.

Chris’ tumour was extremely rare and he lost four and a half stone during his recovery but, as he approached his 50th birthday on January 2nd this year, things were finally settling down.

Chris and Claire were both relieved to have been attended by Devon Air Ambulance and considered a variety of ways in which to repay them. Much to her family’s complete amazement, Claire agreed to participate in this summer’s Bude Triathlon on 22nd June by doing the 500m swim in the sea. As an asthma sufferer and not a regular swimmer by any means, it was her daughter expressing concern that was the motivation Claire needed.

“I realised that I hated hearing someone say ‘should you be doing that?’ and it was exactly the spur I needed. From the moment that I decided to take part, there’s been no stopping me.” Encouraged by her team-mates, Claire has undergone a rigorous training regime and is now swimming 100 lengths a time at her local Woodford Bridge pool. An added bonus of the training is that Claire has lost 4 stone since January, she is on less medication and, in her own words, feels “...like a different person now. This swim is a very large task for me personally and will be an amazing achievement.

What started out as a life-changing idea, has now become a change for life. We are eternally grateful to DAAT for their commitment in helping us with a good recovery and I’m happy to take part in something to raise funds to say thank you. ” If you would like to support Claire in her fundraising triathlon challenge please visit www. justgiving.com/Clairescrazyswim69 o www.daat.org

Patient Story

Claire with Alice and Megan.

Claire in training for her triathlon challenge.

Chris rushed to the scene, seeing an array of blue lights from emergency vehicles and a ďŹ re crew cutting the vehicle roof o to release his wife. www.daat.org

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Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s

Motorcycle ide ut 76 mile route across Devon’s beautiful countryside Sunday 13th July 2014

* £5 entry

Heathcoat Cricket Club, Tiverton to The Den, Teignmouth Live music from ‘Thick as Thieves’, stands, refreshments & much more!

Sponsored by Supported by

Enter online at daat.org or ring 01392 466666 for a form *Pre register for your free t-shirt. T-shirts will also be available to buy on the day, but will not be free unless pre-registered.

www.helperformance.com

Riding Safely for

devonairambulancetrust

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Devon Air Ambulance Trust

www.daat.org

Devon Towns

Welcome to the market town of Hatherleigh An ancient market town of cob and thatch cottages situated in the heart of rural Devon - one of the few places where tranquillity can still be found and the stars seen at night.

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he town nestles peacefully in a deeply rural landscape shaped by a thousand years of settlement and farming. It is situated in West Devon, in the valley of the River Torridge just outside the Dartmoor National Park and about 6 miles north of Okehampton and the main A30 trunk road.

Today, Hatherleigh is not simply picturesque, but a working landscape and town, home to an active and welcoming community where history and tradition blend comfortably with modern life. Many of the numerous ancient cob and thatch buildings were once inns or alehouses, each with a unique history of their own.

The George Hotel in Market Street dates from late medieval times and was once the principal stage for coaches travelling to Bideford, Plymouth, Bude and Exeter. The Tally Ho! and the Bridge Inn also have histories stretching back more than 200 years. Today, they all extend a warm welcome and traditional hospitality to visitors from around the world, offering pleasant accommodation, good food and locally produced ales.

A time-honoured market is held in the town on a Tuesday morning where, for generations, farmers have gathered to buy and sell their livestock. Despite the recent sale of the market site to make way for new housing for the town, locals have been assured that a new site will be established for their traditional market.

Now hosting over 200 stalls is the Ruby Country Market, held three times a year and boasting some of the best local food and drink available including ciders and ales, chutneys and jams, cheeses, olives, tasty pies and scrumptious cakes as well as fabulous quality home-made goods that include an assortment of crafts and paintings and “all kinds of everything”. All the while, local talented musicians entertain you with a variety of musical genres; all creating a lovely atmosphere for browsing, shopping and generally whiling away your morning.

At the Salar Gallery in Bridge Street you can discover the work of local artists David Jones, Eileen Gold and Bernard Jones as well as a host of other Devon artists, writers and craftspeople.

Watch a potter at work at the Hatherleigh Pottery, or stroll through the main street and enjoy the compendium of artworks reflecting life in Hatherleigh that are positioned around the town.

The town also plays host to a number of traditional annual events, ensuring the locals are kept busy and visitors are entertained. From jumping into the River Lew to running the Ruby Half Marathon, attending a musical performance by the silver band or soaking up the atmosphere at the four-day annual Arts Festival – all are topped off by the historic flaming tar barrels at the Carnival; a spectacle to behold!

Hatherleigh – perhaps one of Devon’s best kept secrets… o

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In praise of

Farm Shops

Farmers are a tough breed. They have to be. Daily they are beset by physical, biological and economic challenges which make life very difficult for them – and then there’s the weather! Neil Devons tells all.

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ife is not as predictable as it once was. Food prices fluctuate and farmers may get less for their livestock on the one hand and have to pay more for feedstuffs on the other. In recent years we have witnessed the foot and mouth disaster, increasing bovine TB, the growth inhibiting liver fluke and the relatively new threat of the Schmallenberg virus infecting cattle, sheep and goats.

Markets have also changed for farmers. Often the only route to market now is through wholesalers or the supermarkets which effectively removes any price control from the farm gate – and they’ve still got to contend with the weather!

It’s hard to believe now, when we can barely remember an entirely dry day and where flooded roads, potholed lanes and inundated fields are the norm, that it was drought that was the threat to agriculture only two years ago. On March 12th 2012, the BBC reported that: “Drought conditions are expected to spread across more of England in coming weeks, unless strong rains arrive. The National Farmers Union has warned of the impact on both arable and livestock farming, and is asking for restrictions on agricultural water use to be avoided wherever possible.”

No wonder farmers can’t plan, no wonder the industry is

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under pressure, no wonder so many are looking to diversify.

The Road to Diversification These are tough times but it isn’t all doom and gloom. The resilient farming community have traditionally responded to challenges by finding something different to do that would bolster their income. Once this would have been breeding different animals or trying new crops. New animal products could mean sheep cheese, alpaca fleeces, goats milk or ostrich meat while new crops could be speciality flowers, lavender for perfume or a wide range of energy crops.

In the pursuit of a green economy, many farmers have diversified into sustainable energy projects including biogas and anaerobic digestion.

Increasingly farms are diversifying into non-agricultural activities. Offering bed & breakfast has been around for a long time but as farmers have become more business focussed a whole raft of micro industries have taken root in the rural community. This can include cafés, food processing and packaging, craft workshops, fishing, horse-riding or camping and self-catering.

However, it is the growth of farm shops that reaches out to most people. As a business, they make sense to farmers. Selling www.daat.org

Farming their own produce directly to consumers allows farmers to put a premium price on their meat, fruit, vegetables and dairy produce and retain more of the profit for themselves. Many extend their own-brand range by using spare capacity to make jams, chutneys, relishes, ice creams, yoghurts and ciders inhouse. Others buy in locally produced groceries and delicatessen products and may sell gifts and rural lifestyle products.

Farm shops also appeal to the growing desire to know where your food comes from and to have the assurance that it was responsibly reared or grown. Food miles no longer become a concern when you can drive in the farm gate or shop at the local farmers’ market to do your daily shop.

What most farm shops have in common is sumptuousness.

Few of us can go in and buy just a pound of carrots for the Sunday lunch. It’s just as well you’ll have a vehicle with you

because the array of beautifully presented goods, the shiny bottles and jars, the cheesecloth covered pots, the richness of fresh meat and game, the temptation of farm scrumpy and artisan ice creams, the plates of tasting cheese, the stunning colours and seductive smells are clearly doing their bit to support the farming community by diverting our money away from the supermarkets.

Farm shops are a really valuable part of our countryside.

They offer superb locally sourced produce that is as innovative and exciting as it is healthy and desirable. They enrich our regional culture and provide a very special rural identity which benefits locals and has a charming appeal to visitors.

Above all, they are an essential contributor to the local economy and to the farming community on whom we all depend.o

Images courtesy of Riverford Organic Farms www.riverford.co.uk

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Treats Galore Fresh, tasty home-grown produce is available in farm shops around the county. Whether you’re looking for fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy or delicious pies or patés from the deli, there’s bound to be a fantastic farm shop near you.

Barnstaple Bideford

Sout Molt

Our free range Berkshire pigs are used to produce our prize winning sausages, burgers, dry cured bacon, gammons and fresh pork and also for our Hog Roast catering for the best crackling you’ll ever taste. RSPCA Freedom Food assured and traditionally reared to ensure high animal welfare. Order by email or buy from the farm. We supply to a select list of quality hotels and restaurants that only use the best local produce.

The Wholesome Hog Duckaller Farm Port Road Dawlish EX7 0NX 01626 863132 duckallerfarm.co.uk

Hatherleigh

Okehampton

Tavistock A warm welcome awaits at Dean Court Farm Shop and Café from new owners, Siobhan, Kevin, Ruby and Mac. We are a family run business and are now open 7 days a week. (Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm). We stock a wide range of locally produced vegetables, ice creams, dairy products, preserves and local ales and ciders.

Our farmhouse café offers homemade food every day and is now open for your Sunday roast lunch.

We look forward to seeing all you soon!

Dean DeanCourt CourtFarm FarmShop Shop Lower LowerDean Dean Buckfastleigh Buckfastleigh TQ11 TQ110LT 0LT 01364 01364642199 642199 deancourtfarmshop.co.uk deancourtfarmshop.co.uk

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Artisan cheese-makers producing Devon Blue - a blue buttery smooth cows milk cheese, from Friesland cows in the South Hams.

Beenleigh Blue - a robust powerful, blue ewes milk cheese, from Friesland and Dorset sheep.

Harbourne Blue - a mellow sweet blue goats milk cheese, from Saanen and Toggenburg goats on the edge of Dartmoor.

All of our cheeses are pasteurised and hand-made to a continental recipe in our small dairy in Totnes.

Plymouth

Totnes, Devon Info@ticklemorecheese.co.uk ticklemorecheese.co.uk

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

Salc

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Farming

South Molton

Tiverton

M5

Besshill Farm Shop was originally set up in the wake of the Foot and Mouth out break.

It has since gone from strength to strength selling beef and lamb which is reared on the farm itself. Also selling locally sourced pork and poultry and vegetables.

We make all own own sausages, burgers and also sell various groceries and locally made cakes.

Free local deliveries can be arranged.

Well worth a visit!

Besshill Farm Shop Arlington Barnstaple EX31 4SW 01271 850311 besshillfarmshop-barnstaple.co.uk

The 48th North Devon Show takes place on 6th August 2014 at Umberleigh Barton Farm. The show prides itself on retaining the agricultural heritage of the area as well as showcasing the magnificent animals bred in our region we also have a huge display of produce in our foodhall. Our area has a fine tradition of producing high quality food - vegetables, fruit, meats, fish, preserves. Plus a variety of local beers and wines.

The North Devon Show Wednesday 6th August 2014 Umberleigh Barton Farm (on the A377) Umberleigh EX37 9DX

Honiton

A38

Exeter

Newton Abbot

Torquay

Kingsbridge

Salcombe

We created Churston Farm Shop in 2007 to market the fabulous food and drink that is produced in the South West. We have two priorities: To sell quality and to sell local. We offer local meat, locally-grown fruit & vegetables, cream and dairy products, ales, wines and much, much more.

With our own cafe & garden centre offering a wide selection, we are sure you will enjoy your visit to us whatever the weather. Open 7 days a week.

Churston Traditional Farm Shop Brokenbury Quarry Dartmouth Road Brixham TQ5 0LL 01803 845837 churstontraditionalfarmshop.org.uk

For many years we’ve been breeding a herd of perfect South Devonshire milking cows providing rich milk for our famous Orange Elephant ice cream.

The ice cream parlour reopens Saturday 5th April.

Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm Term Time Seven Days a week 10am – 5pm Holiday Time Visit our summer Meadow too!

Orange Elephant Ice Cream Lower Brenton Kennford Exeter EX6 7Y 01392 833776 theorangeelephant.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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All pulling together...

The weather this winter caused challenging issues for many people, particularly in the South West. However, it also brought out the great British resilience and spirit. We caught up with Rachel Lovell on her mission of mercy in the height of the floods.

T

he villages of Muchelney and Thorney in neighbouring Somerset have been cut off by floods for months, with water over a metre deep in places. Farmers and villagers stranded on the Somerset Levels are eating a little better, however, thanks to food aid delivered in the form of organic veg boxes from Riverford Farm. It may be too much for the Riverford vans to cope with, but thanks to a Unimog operated

by Suffolk Fire & Rescue, regular deliveries of organic fruit and veg boxes are making it through.

Shouting down a mobile phone, Rachel Lovell from Riverford Farm started to explain her journey to deliver ‘veg boxes’ to those who had been cut off in Somerset.

‘We are heading down a road which leads to Thorney and Muchelney,’ said Rachel above the roar of the engine starting up. ‘When I say road, I mean a channel between the hedgerows. We are on the shore, which is a strange comment to make considering we are something like 20 miles inland.’

Her voice changes and takes on a slightly nervous tone as she makes the point that the water is already up to the wheel arches of the vehicle which, fortunately, has been designed to ‘go anywhere’.

Rachel explains, ‘I learned through Twitter that there was a lot of activity about forage aid; the attempt to get feed to cattle in the flooded area. I thought that Riverford could help with that or maybe we could help with transporting it. But when I spoke to the Farm Community Network they said the main problem was delivering fresh food; again, Riverford could help.’

The phone signal struggles to cope with the engine noise but even though we are speaking on a typical mobile phone line you can still hear the wash of water in the background.

Rachel continues, ‘I’m just passing a house which has a sign saying ‘please drive slowly’; the water is up to the door step. It also says Bed and Breakfast - Vacancies! There are

sandbags up about two feet in height and I have just noticed that where we are driving the water is getting even deeper… it’s quite an experience.’

The Riverford veg boxes also contained fruit and even cheese and hopefully will bring some cheer to a community that at times has waited weeks to get fresh produce.

Rachel continues. ‘Last year we had a lot of rainfall and our poly tunnels have taken a battering this year but we have been very lucky and we really feel for the residents of Somerset which is why we are doing this delivery.’

Riverford’s founding farmer, Guy Watson says, ‘The belief that good food should be available to everyone is central to the ethos of Riverford, so we were shocked to hear that some families had been unable to get fresh produce for over a week at a time. Having seen the exceptionally difficult situation the communities on the Somerset Levels are going through, we’re delighted to be able to help out in this small way.’

Further evidence of teams working in partnership to help victims of flooding came when the Devon Air Ambulance was called to the aid of an elderly gentleman suffering a medical emergency, stranded in the flooded village of Muchelney. Dorset & Somerset’s Air Ambulance was already committed on another incident but The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and a water rescue team from the Fire Service were already on scene. The patient required urgent transportation to hospital and there was no means of getting a land ambulance through the floodwater to the village. Fortunately, our pilot was able to land in a paddock beside the patient’s house, which, although above water, was absolutely saturated. Following stabilisation the patient was carried to the aircraft and flown to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton for treatment. o

‘I’m just passing a house which has a sign saying ‘please drive slowly’; the water is up to the door step. It also says Bed and Breakfast Vacancies!

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Farming

Loading up the Unimog with Riverford vegboxes for delivery in Muchelney with the Farming Community Network

A birds-eye view of Muchelney and its ooded sorroundings.

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New life after Mother’s Day accident For some people, being rescued by Devon Air Ambulance is the start of a new way of life. Mum, Samantha Garner, is a case in point.

S

am, from Paignton, was airlifted on Mother’s Day in March 2009 after falling from her horse during a canter on Dartmoor. She remembers falling and rolling, but has no recollection of landing. Fellow riders called the emergency services and, as they were two miles from the nearest road, the Air Ambulance was despatched.

Sam was airlifted to Torbay Hospital suffering from a shattered shoulder and broken pelvis, subsequently having an operation to fit 11 screws and a plate in her shoulder.

Ironically, her husband and two daughters had been enjoying a walk on Dartmoor and watched as the helicopter flew overhead; little knowing that it was heading to attend to Sam! Sam’s recovery, however, was far from straightforward. Not only did Sam need to spend six months in a wheelchair, with the use of only one arm and almost totally dependent on others, but the trauma of the accident sparked a thyroid disorder which caused her to gain weight and she also lost all her hair through Alopecia. In a further twist, Sam’s 14-year old daughter, Gemma, also started to suffer from Alopecia because of the stress.

Fortunately, however, their story is one of overcoming adversity and now both campaign to help others with Alopecia.

Sam describes the time, “I was

fat and bald – and it was amazingly liberating! They were both huge things to deal with as your whole identity is gone. But you start to realise that it’s what’s inside that matters. I realised who I am and that actually I am a really strong person and I had the strength to resist society’s pressures and be who I am.

“The other thing that was difficult was having to rely on other people.

I was so used to being independent but it made me realise how lucky I was to have so many people around me who loved me.”

Benefitting from advice from Outset Torbay, Sam chose a change of career as she recovered. With new-found confidence, she reevaluated her priorities and decided

Sam was airlifted to Torbay Hospital suffering from a shattered shoulder and broken pelvis, subsequently having an operation to fit 11 screws and a plate in her shoulder

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Patient Story

to develop a business using music to help others. Sam now teaches the piano and sings in a band called Wired. “Music is such a powerful tool. It is so expressive and therapuetic.�

Nearly four years after the accident, Sam contacted the Trust via Twitter and, in November 2013, visited the Eaglescott Airbase. Sam reflected on the day, “I was very nervous before the visit and knew it was going to be emotional. Everyone there was fantastic and it was brilliant to have questions answered by the Paramedic confirming memories I had. I still get emotional thinking about the day but visiting gave me

some form of closure. The accident was life-changing but gave me so much in a bizarre way and I will forever be grateful to DAAT for being there. o

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Patient Story

How quickly things can change...

We received the letter below from Donna and Guy Shayler, with a very kind donation following the christening of twins Betty and Dylan and sister Isobel.

ber 2010, T in Septem A A D by d airlifte r, Betty, was Our daughte just two aturday re. She was zu ei s a (it was a S g in w e. I (Betty's 25th), follo aumatic tim tr a I think the e gnised it u q ntly I reco d this was sy and insta ep il years old an e, Ep nc f la o ambu e a history called for an d an mother) hav t re u o zu h ei wit f Betty's s eizure came the onset o ll ďŹ t. The s been playing fu a ad h in ty as et w B e t, h c s fa re befo igger, in eaten all her y obvious tr lings and had ib s warning or an er h h it was even e garden w indicate she to n o happily in th as re ere was no and lunch, so th ity bike ride l. el es on a char any al slightly unw W ke ta in to ay t going was aw no er th as w fa I 's o ty d Bet dren, s medics arrive e other chil wn. The para o and y nt m we have thre n te o is rs pe try to co re was pe d zu an ei s es e c th to an ch ued nately still contin but unfortu ing her, she at very quickly ic ed m E. & s RD paramedic ift Betty to ith despite the taken to airl as ovided us w w pr n e io nc is la c de bu m e h A T ir ďŹ t. the A of need medics and at our time ra e pa nc e ta th is s th Bo l for two ical as d in hospita nce and med ra ne u ai s m as re re ty l vita e seizure ul. Bet sts since th n very gratef te ai m er re h e rt u w F d an ilepsy overy. d Absence Ep e a full rec o ad o m dh d il h an C ys da ms s from the sympto she suffer to control n have revealed and io at ld o ic ed ar ur ye takes m ry active fo ve a and she now ings is th e al h S rm the no uccess. d her doing te with great s an en e ev av h pr e t mean w n has no nosis does her conditio ag ause di c be er H at . h and th old does it w ar g ye in r al u de fo a e are lled and g of what w main contro in re nd y ll ta s fu er pe nd o u ill h seizure. ation, she w ing another ic av ed h m er er h h f f o o risk helicopter reduce the see the red an en c e ft o w an at yl th r a ride ther D ty's been fo er twin bro et h B d " an re ty la c et B and de and not kehampton it this way O r ep ve ke o to ng yi pe  I ho helicopter." in that red towards ylan!!

D r in it fo a small way de go ri a an c h c n o at ti m e llec ir Ambulanc that our co the Devon A g We do hope in ep ke f o us cost the enormo ing. nn service ru grateful. ly u We are tr

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It was a delight to meet mum Donna with Betty and Dylan at our Eaglescott Airbase last November. www.daat.org

Patient Story

Burns lead to toxic shock

Over 10% of the incidents we attend are to youngsters under 16 years of age and these can be due to medical issues or accidents.

I

n June 2012, three year old Alban was happily playing at his grandparents’ house in Dartmouth when a terrifying ordeal began.

In a split second, Alban reached up to a table and pulled on a teacloth – pulling a pot of scalding tea over, which soaked him from the chest down.

His dad, James, grabbed his screaming son and tore the clothes off him, holding him under a shower of cold water.

Mum, Gemma, called 999 and took advice over the phone whilst waiting for the emergency services to arrive. “We were advised to use lukewarm water, rather than cold,” explained James, “...as cold water is so shocking and could cause hypothermia.”

The family were so relieved when a first responder turned up, followed by a land ambulance crew. “It was such a relief to know that help had arrived,” James continued. Devon’s Air Ambulance was also soon on scene, landing in nearby Coronation Park and Gemma and Alban were flown in just 40 minutes to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol; with the paramedics monitoring Alban during

Gemma and Alban were flown in just 40 minutes to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol

Alban Harris

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the flight. When James arrived four hours later, he found that Alban’s burns had already been treated with Biobrane and he was sleeping after his two-hour surgery and general anaesthetic.

Alban spent just under a week in hospital before being released for further care at home by a specialist burns nurse.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the story... Just two days after returning home Alban became ill with a high temperature and vomiting and was taken by ambulance to Torbay A&E, where he deteriorated very rapidly with toxic shock. He was fluid resuscitated then sedated and ventilated before being transferred by a specialist team from Bristol Children’s Intensive Care Unit up to Bristol Children’s Hospital for further intensive care. He stayed there for a day and a half and responded well to the treatment and was then transferred to Frenchay for four days before being allowed home. Alban was then cared for at home by a community burns nurse and then at outpatient clinics before finally being discharged last spring.

Despite the trauma of the time, James was full of praise for everyone concerned. “Everyone was amazing; Alban had the very best of attention. At Torbay Hospital, he had the top consultants and they couldn’t have done more. We are so grateful – it was awful at the time, but now he doesn’t even have any scarring.” o

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Unrivalled luxury... ...ultimate relaxation Unwind however you choose, and for as long as you like, in the splendour of the Brecon Beacons on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

To know more: www.beaconparkboats.com

Tel: 01873 858277

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Retail

We can take (almost) anything!

Next time you’re having a sort out and wonder what can be donated to charity, the answer is ‘just about anything’!

As a rule of thumb, if it’s fabric – we can sell it. Quality items of clothing, linen and footwear will sell in our shops. Curtains and bedding, including duvet covers, pillow cases, sheets and valances are all great – we just can’t accept the duvet itself or pillows, thanks. Old or torn fabrics can be sold for recycling value – but it helps us greatly if the bag is clearly marked.

Bric-a-brac is always popular, along with quality, unbroken

children’s toys and puzzles. We can also take small electrical items as we will carry out our own PAT testing to ensure their safety.

Hardback and paperback books, original CDs and DVDs sell well – although, sadly, we cannot accept videos or video recorders.

As for furniture, unfortunately, we are unable to take large items as our space is limited. Other items we definitely can’t accept are used bicycle helmets, motorcycle crash helmets, children’s car seats and exercise equipment.

Yes please! ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü

Clothes Curtains Books Bed Linen Footwear Bric-a-brac CDs and DVDs Electrical Accessories (scarves, jewellery, belts, hats)

No thanks! û û û û û û û

Bicycle and motorcycle helmets Childrens car seats Duvets and pillows White goods Furniture Exercise equipment Televisions

Our patron Fitz at the opening of our Sidmouth shop

Your donated goods go a long way to keeping our helicopters airborne. Most importantly, if you are a UK tax payer and you Gift Aid your donation, we can claim a further 25% from HMRC – it’s a win-win situation!

Why not keep in contact with your local DAAT shop by liking their Facebook page ie Kingsbridge Devon Air Ambulance shop!

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Devon Air Ambulance Trust

National Air Ambulance Week – 22-28 September 2014 Calling schools, colleges and businesses ...

why not dress up as yo ur HERO for a day during NAAW and raise money for your LOCAL Air Ambulance?

Be a

HERO

For further information please phone us on 01392 466666, email info@daat.org or log on to www.daat.org Devon Air Ambulance Trust

@DevonAirAmb #NAAW2014

Real People Saving Real Lives 5 Sandpiper Court • Harrington Lane • Exeter EX4 8NS

Registered Charity No: 1077998 Company No: 3855746

Sea Swimmers do it to save lives... you could too!

One Mile

Entry Fee*

Broadsands, Paignton. 21 September 2014

*With minimum of £30 sponsorship

Sea Swim

£20

Enter now at www.daat.org 01392 466666 devonairambulancetrust Torbay SLSC

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@DevonAirAmb @TorbaySLSC

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Registered Charity No: 1077998 Registered Charity No: 101566

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Lottery

Coming to a town near you...

Devon Air Ambulance Trust started an in-house Lottery in 2001 and player numbers have grown steadily year on year.

At the time of writing we are rapidly approaching 29,000 members and, such is the success of our weekly Lottery, the income generated in 2013 was a whopping £1,350,000!

Joining in is a great way to support your local Air Ambulance whilst at the same time giving you the chance to win one of thirteen cash prizes each week – first prize of £1,350, two prizes of £135 and ten further prizes of £50.00.

Helping us to promote DAAT’s Lottery, we have enlisted the expertise of a number of Canvassers. They will be coming to a town or street near you and may be ringing on your doorbell. Please do not be alarmed – they will always have identification with them and will be wearing DAAT clothing.

Signing up is easy – just £1 per week will enter your Lucky Number into our draw; you can pay quarterly, half-yearly or annually by cheque or by standing order with your bank. Our Canvassers will

advise you of the best way to join. For every £1 entry, an average of 70p is donated straight back to the Trust, with the remainder covering the prize fund and overheads.

One recent lucky winner is Mrs Nelson of Combe Martin, who wrote: ‘I was so surprised to win! I was happy enough to join the Devon Air Ambulance Lottery Trust as I feel this vital service needs, and deserves, every penny it gets, but I never really expected to be a winner and certainly not so soon – I only joined up last month!’ www.daat.org/Lottery

Lucky winner, Mrs Nelson

Pictured here are four of our Canvassers, Terry Brown, Daren Budd, Richard Sawyer and David Cole on a recent visit to our Airbase. If you have access to the internet, you can find more information about the Lottery and our Canvassers on www.daat. org/Lottery

www.daat.org

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Lottery

Devon Air Ambulance Trust Lottery Form Please complete this form, plus Section A or B to advise us how you wish to pay.

Please return this form to: DAAT Lottery, FREEPOST SEA14647, Exeter EX4 8ZY NOT YOUR BANK I confirm all members are 16 years of age or over.

Signed

Date

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other

First name(s)

Surname

Address Postcode Tel

Email

Why not double your chances with two numbers? Tick here for a second number The second number will be in your name unless you wish to assign the number to someone else. If so, please enter their name below: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other

First name(s)

Surname

SECTION A - PAYMENT BY CHEQUE I wish to join the DAAT Lottery and pay by cheque

One Number Half yearly £26

Yearly £52

If you pay by cheque you will receive a reminder Two Numbers Half yearly £52 by post prior to your subscription running out Please find attached my cheque payable to DAAT Lottery for £

Yearly £104

SECTION B - STANDING ORDER FORM

To The Bank

I wish to join the DAAT Lottery by standing order

Please ensure you quote the following number on all correspondence

To (your bank/building society) Address Postcode Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Sort Code

Account Number

Signature(s)

Date

Please debit my/our account until further notice - I wish to pay the sum of: (tick one box only) One Number

Two Numbers

Monthly

£4.34 per month

Monthly

£8.68 per month

Quarterly

£13 every 3 months

Quarterly

£26 every 3 months

Half yearly

£26 every 6 months

Half yearly

£52 every 6 months

Yearly

£52 every 12 months

Yearly

£104 every 12 months

I wish my standing order to start on:

DD/MM/YYYY

Please debit my account and pay to: DAAT Lottery, HSBC Bank Plc, St Thomas, Exeter Sort Code: 40 20 29 Account No. 11377566

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HP0414 #

We would like to use the winners names and location in promotional material. If you do not want your name to be used, please tick this box Responsible person, C Creer of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter, EX4 8NS. The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is the official Lottery promoter and is licensed by the Gambling Commission, no: 000-0005032-N-308657-001 www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk

www.daat.org

Patient Story

Cyclist comes off bike at 50mph

Keen cyclist, Jim Scott, was enjoying a ride high up on Dartmoor last December when, by his own admission, he took a bend ‘way too fast’ and ended up in a heap on the road.

T

wo fellow cyclists rushed to his aid, with one dashing back up the hill to slow traffic down and the other calling the emergency services while staying with Jim. Not knowing how badly he was hurt, Jim lay still and awaited help. Expecting it to arrive in the form of a land ambulance, all involved were most surprised to see the Devon Air Ambulance appear over the hill and land just 50 meters from where Jim lay.

Pilot Pete O’Connor landed the helicopter and paramedics Adrian Parker and Richard Walker ran to Jim’s aid. Learning that Jim had come off his bike at almost 50mph, Adrian and Richard knew he may have suffered significant injuries and needed to reach Derriford hospital in Plymouth to be checked over as quickly as possible. With the help of the other cyclists, Jim was taken by stretcher to the waiting helicopter.

During the time that the aircraft had been on the

ground, the weather had changed quite dramatically and the area was now clouded in a low fog. Pete O’Connor demonstrated his piloting skills as the helicopter lifted to a flying height of nearly 3,000 feet and, instead of flying across the moor and through the fog, he detoured to follow the south Devon coastline to Plymouth.

Despite the pain he was in, after a series of scans and tests, Jim was relieved to learn that no bones were broken.

He had suffered tissue damage, along with swelling and bruising and he was released from hospital later the same day. “I was so impressed with my treatment that day,” Jim explained. “Even the motorists who stopped offered assistance. And it was less than an hour from when I came off my bike, to being wheeled into the A&E unit at Derriford.

I was conscious throughout and, apart from aches, pains and pulled muscles, I consider myself very lucky!” o

Jim Scott

www.daat.org

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The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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Volunteers

Join our team!

Real people saving real lives Our family of volunteers is steadily growing and we welcome newcomers with open arms. Volunteer Support Coordinator, Rosey Oakes, has been around the county to meet them all and has hosted a number of meetings where local volunteers could all get together.

Sharing experiences and wisdom has proved enlightening and our volunteers definitely benefit from a real sense of belonging.

Rosey’s motivation to encourage volunteers is borne from personal experience of the Devon Air Ambulance service when six years ago, aged just 11, her son Toby fell through a glass fronted door at the family cottage and lacerated the whole of his right arm and his upper left arm. Rosey’s daughter, 9 year old Daisy, raised the alarm as Rosey tried to stem the bleeding.

Hearing the Air Ambulance land and the paramedics arrive was the reassurance that Rosey needed. “I’ve never been so grateful for help,” she explained. “I knew I had to stop the bleeding but was so grateful that the lady in the control room talked Daisy through what Topsham volunteers open our specialist Vintage and Variety shop

was happening. Daisy was brilliant too – it was so frightening to see Toby but she really kept her calm. I’ll never forget the relief that the paramedics could take over and I could go back to being Mum!” Rosey, Toby and Daisy became active fundraisers for the Trust and Rosey was delighted to be appointed as Volunteer Support Coordinator last spring. “I love working with our volunteers; they have such a broad range of skills, experience and personalities!

There are roles for everyone, whether you prefer a regular job such as servicing boxes in your local area or working in one of our shops, meeting people at events or spreading the word about the service giving talks to groups. We are approaching another busy summer with shows and events around the county – attending these events is a great way to meet other volunteers, as well as members of staff, aircrew and trustees. We can never have too many helpers so, if you can spare the occasional few hours and fancy joining our team, please do give me a call and I look forward to meeting you!”

Rosey can be contacted on 01392 466666 Ext.*122 or by email on r.oakes@daat.org

Get in touch!

Sneaking a peak in the new helicopter

Volunteers at the Sidmouth shop 40

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Fundraisers

Devon People What could you do to save a life?

Tracey Cox celebrates with her family after completing the gruelling Grizzly in East Devon. £700 raised by West Alvington’s Ring of Bells Christmas fundraiser.

Staff at Exeter Post Office support DAAT with their funky Christmas jumpers. £1,380 raised by Totnes & District Show Society at the Chairman’s Dinner & Dance charity auction.

Eat, Drink and Talk Rugby evening organised by lovely Tiverton ladies raised nearly £3,000 ! www.daat.org

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Halloween antics raised £1,538 at South Molton’s Riverside Caravan and Camping site

Thanks to businesses in Colyton who raised over £800 at the Colyton Christmas Tree Festival

Totnes Young Farmers raise £2,700 from various activities including a log chop and a dung run!

Mary ‘Tractor’ Phillips presents Richard Jewell with his cup and rosette.

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The Little Grey Fergie tractor, 2nd right, wins first place in the Static Tractor Show at Hatherleigh.

Fundraisers

Mike Date collecting a cheque from Dunny Elson and Anne Cooper at The Tors pub in Belstone, one of the drinking holes on the Ten Pub Walk.

If you would like to find out more details about how you could support Devon Air Ambulance, please call 01392 466666 or email info@daat.org

Get in touch!

South Molton’s Riverside Beer and Folk Festival raises over £1,500 !

www.daat.org

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Business Support

Success of three-year partnership This Summer celebrates a three-year fundraising partnership between DAAT and the ATASS Group. We asked Vanessa Cobb, Head of CSR at ATASS what made it work.

Q. How did the relationship begin?

A. Helena and I met on twitter. I was intrigued by her ideas for dinner party fundraising and we became friends.

Q. What happened next?

A. I’d recently joined ATASS and knew that my MD was a big fan of the Trust. I made the introduction and we began exploring possibilities for mutual benefit. Our first step was to sponsor Exeter City Football Club as ‘ATASS Supporting Devon Air Ambulance Trust ‘ to encourage fans to get on board.

Q. What were the long term benefits?

A. We rebranded the DAAT uniforms and invested in training. This brought the team together at a crucial time of growth for the Trust.

Q. Why was this good for ATASS? A. Our reputation reflects the genuine spirit of our people. This partnership has helped us to attract the like-minded graduates who make our business successful.

Q. What ‘s next - is this the end?

A. By no means. We’re proud to have played a part in shaping a

great future for DAAT and we’d like to remain part of it. From now on it may not be so formal, but there are all kinds of other ways we can keep our partnership alive.

Atass and Exeter City FC working together for DAAT

Caroline and Helena thank Vanessa Cobb from ATASS for their support

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Business Support

Businesses on Board We are delighted to have been chosen as Charity of the Year by so many local and regional companies and clubs.

Whilst the Trust is hugely grateful for the support of all businesses around the county and welcomes the chance to work in partnership alongside a diverse range of companies, charity support also offers the businesses a wealth of opportunities for staff engagement, volunteer activities and fundraising events that can involve colleagues, suppliers and customers, and fulfills a vital Corporate Social Responsibility.

If you would like to find out more details about how your business could support Devon Air Ambulance, please call 01392 466666 or email info@daat.org Amongst this year’s business supporters are...

DAAT’s Tracy Owen meets the team from Kaba Locks (UK)

Staff at Prestige Pine Furniture donating the proceeds of their coffee machine.

Partners from Tozers Solicitors meet the Aircrew at the start of their Charity of the Year activities.

Berrys Chartered Accountants donated £900 from their fundraising Golf Day.

Ambrose thanks Masons Kings for their support.

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Patient Story

The Greatest Gift...

Sadly, despite the very best efforts of Devon Air Ambulance aircrews, occasionally it is just not possible to save the life of a patient and, in some cases, a tragic outcome is inevitable.

I

t is of some comfort to loved ones, however, to know that absolutely everything that could have been done was done and, as in the story below, our attendance gave the family time to say goodbye.

Catherine and Alan Burgess were on holiday last summer visiting family in Devon and were enjoying a lovely day out in Sidmouth when the tragedy struck.

Son, Matthew Burgess, explained: “My mum’s death was very sudden, which has made it an extremely difficult reality to come to terms with.

She didn’t suffer with any illness or disease at all so this was a huge shock to our whole family. She had a cerebral aneurysm haemorrhage while on holiday with my Dad and

some family friends and it was a matter of seconds between perfect health and passing away. My mum was an amazing lady and supported a number of charities throughout her life but the one we raised money for at her funeral was Devon Air Ambulance Trust. This is because the team worked tirelessly to save her and, despite the fact there was nothing more they could’ve done, they managed to keep her alive long enough so we had the chance to say goodbye and hold her hand one last time. This is something for which we will be forever grateful.”

Matthew works in the London offices of global corporation Lend Lease, and his colleagues were all touched by his loss and nominated Devon Air Ambulance Trust to benefit

“We had the chance to say goodbye and hold her hand one last time. This is something for which we will be forever grateful.”

The Burgess Family

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Legacies

A purrrrfect way to make your wishes clear Matt’s mum and dad, Cathy and Alan

Andy Lee (Construction Director & Guvnors Club Sth Branch Chairman), Caroline Creer (Devon Air Ambulance Trust), Alan Burgess (dad to Matt), Matt Burgess (Construction Manager), Neil Martin – (Managing Director PM&C and Guvnors Club National Chairman)

from their Guvnors Club Christmas Charity Ball. Katrina Lamberton, Project Manager at Lend Lease, said: “We believe greatly in giving back to the charities that have touched the lives of our members. When Matt told us what had happened with his mum, Devon Air Ambulance Trust was the obvious choice to support through our Christmas Charity Ball. We are delighted to be able to donate the sum of £10,000 to the Charity.”

Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said: “I was delighted to be able to collect this fantastic donation in person. This donation comes due to the sad loss of Matt’s mum, and we accept with grateful thanks the £10,000 donation in her memory and, on behalf of Devon Air Ambulance Trust, I would like to thank Lend Lease for their support of the Charity. This donation will make a huge difference to help keep Devon’s Air Ambulances flying, in fact enabling us to help at least three more families just like Matt’s. We rely totally on public donations so to be thought of at such a difficult time is extremely humbling.”

Giving us permission to use their story, Matthew continued, “Just to reiterate our thanks as a family, we are so appreciative of how DAAT helped and supported us in such a difficult time and we want to do all we can to help others receive the same service in their time of need. The work you do not only saves lives but gives people a chance and hope when there is none. Even though my mum couldn’t be saved, just being able to say goodbye and hold her hand one last time was the greatest gift I’ll ever receive.”o www.daat.org

While everyone wants to make sure their loved ones are looked after when they’ve gone, actually confronting the issue and making plans is something that many people shy away from. When Hilda died in 2003, however, her Last Will & Testament made her wishes very clear. Devon Air Ambulance Trust was to benefit by a lump sum, along with three other charities. Hilda’s main concern and wish, however, was that funds should be available for the long-term care of her beloved cat, Mickey.

In honour of her wishes, Mickey’s care was entrusted to The Cinnamon Trust where he lived happily for a further ten years. In January 2013, however, Mickey also passed away and Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT), along with the same three other charities, was a recipient of the residual funds.

Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director of DAAT, explained “It’s lovely to know that Hilda’s wishes were fulfilled and we’re very grateful that, even ten years after she died, our Trust has benefitted again. Legacy gifts are a vital income stream for our Charity, ensuring that our Air Ambulances can continue to carry out life-saving work. Knowing that such gifts left in a Will can be of benefit to those in need can be a great reassurance to families when they lose a loved one.”

Making a Will is one of the best ways you can help the people and causes you love. Leaving a gift to Devon Air Ambulance Trust, however big or small, will help us to help the people of Devon in the future. Letting us know your intentions also means that we can thank you properly and keep you informed of our latest projects and appeals.

As part of their support for DAAT as their Charity of the Year, Tozers Solicitors have kindly offered to write or amend Wills for our supporters, in return for a donation to DAAT. This initiative will form part of the National Air Ambulance Week in September; further details will be available in the next issue of Helipad.

For further information visit www.gov.uk/make-will

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Operations

Air Operating Certificate awarded

by Civil Aviation Authority Devon Air Ambulance, through its operating arm Devon Air Ambulance Trading Company Limited, has recently been awarded its own Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority.

As Air Ambulances carry patients, which aviation legislation regards as passengers, we are regulated in the same way as any commercial airline which means we are required to operate our service only with Civil Aviation Authority approval under an AOC. Up until now we have relied on a third party company or organisation holding an AOC to operate our helicopters on our behalf. However, after a rigorous registration process, which saw key personnel and the service we deliver scrutinised in detail, the CAA has concluded that Devon Air Ambulance meets or exceeds all of the stringent operating and safety

competencies required to operate a Commercial Air Transport service.

Although operating our own AOC does have financial costs for the charity, these are costs we were already paying to the third party operator anyway; the difference now is we can focus all of this cost solely on enhancing and developing even further the service Devon Air Ambulance is able to offer.

Holding our own AOC means that our service is now truly fully independent and this will bring many benefits as we continue to enhance the level of service we bring to our patients. This will be particularly beneficial as we extend our service to cover even more hours of the day, including the move into night operations, as well as further enhancing the clinical capabilities we are able to deliver to patients at their time of need.

Pilots Ian Payne and Rob Mackie with DAAT Finance Director Steve Tupper and Operations Director Nigel Hare

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A Day In The Life

Introducing Ian Captain Ian Payne is a familiar face to the team at DAAT and has recently become a permanent member of staff. Helipad Editor, Debbie Gregory, caught up with Ian to find out more about him...

Q. You’ve recently been appointed as our Flight Operations Director; what’s your background?

A. All the jobs I’ve had have led me to the role I’ve now undertaken.

I started with the Royal Navy as a Seaman Officer in 1975 where I served in a variety of surface ship appointments before transferring to the Fleet Air Arm in 1980. I then spent 10 years on an assortment of squadrons and flights on board frigates as a Flight Commander and on two aircraft carriers as a Helicopter Warfare Instructor and Senior Pilot.

In 1990 I left the Royal Navy and moved to Police Aviation Services, working all over the country before becoming Air Operations Manager for Devon & Cornwall Police in 1999. Over the years I have worked as a pilot from Bristol to Sussex, Northumberland to Wiltshire and Lincolnshire to name but a few – often assisting Air Ambulance organisations.

My staff post with DAAT began on 1st March as part of the Trust being awarded its own Air Operator’s Certificate.

Q. Would you say that there is ever such a thing as an ‘average’ day?

A. No, and that’s a major appeal of the job – that there are no two days the same. If I’m in the office, I’m overseeing all the flight operations; including rostering of pilots and making sure that their training is up to date, also ensuring that we are operating in accordance with European legislation.

On a flying day, I have an early start. After ensuring that the kettle is on for tea, the duty Paramedics and I will check and prepare the helicopter and ensure that everything is ready for the day ahead. I will prepare the Brief – including a weather report and any weather forecasting issues that may affect our day and briefing on details of other activities that may impact on us. We never know where or when we’ll be tasked by our HEMS colleagues but there’s always plenty to do while we’re waiting.

Q. And what happens when a call comes in and you are off to attend a mission?

A. I have to ensure that the aircraft and aircrew all arrive safely at the job. The Paramedics will take all the details of the patient and we’ll know the location before we take off. There are a number of considerations that I’ll be taking into account whilst we are en route and we’ll be in communication with colleagues, ie land crew paramedics or police at the incident if necessary, particularly with regard to the safety of the landing site. Whilst at the scene, the safety of the aircraft, the crew and members of the public are paramount.

I will also be monitoring any significant changes in the weather, particularly if it might affect our onward journey to hospital. Having safely delivered our patient to the receiving hospital, we’ll head back to the airbase where we’ll automatically re-fuel and refill the medical bags, ensuring we are ready for the next call.

Q. All this must keep you very busy. What goes on in your home-life?

A. Well, I met my lovely wife, Susie, when we were both in the Royal Navy based at RNAS Culdrose, and we married in 1991. Our family

swiftly grew and we now have five sons; James, George, Charlie, Wills and Alfie, aged 21 to 13, one daughter, Róisín, aged 10, and two

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golden retrievers – so life is never dull! All the children are musical, playing in youth orchestras and bands and they’re all mad on water sports; making the most of the fabulous area of Torbay that we live in. What with walking the dogs and keeping up with the children’s hobbies and activities, Susie and I are always on the go, although to tell the truth, Susie heads up the dog walking!

Q. What does the future hold for our Pilot and dad of six...

A. I’m looking forward to a hugely rewarding time here at DAAT. I was already aware of the ‘cause’ but it’s an absolute privilege to be a part of such a dedicated team and knowing that my role can make such a difference in someone’s moment of need. My wish for the family is to see all six children happy in their chosen careers and then...well, it’ll probably be time for Susie and I to enjoy a bit of a rest!

Captain Ian Payne DAAT Flight Operations Director

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Back Chat

Home Alone

The enemy, the good lady wife, went away last month for some female company and to watch the filming of ‘Splash’. Yes, half a dozen middle-aged women hanging around celebrities in Speedos; I’m now awaiting a summons for a court case as I write!

I

was left to organise the entire household for 48 hours with a 12 hour period at the end of it to cover up any structural damage, cat vandalism and attempted cookery. And this is how the weekend went...

Friday. Was told that half a chicken and bacon pie had been left in the fridge, just heat it. Went to pub instead.

Saturday. Was reminded that half a chicken and bacon pie had been left in the fridge, it will still be okay, just heat it. Went to the pub instead.

Sunday. Removed chicken and bacon pie and offered it to the cats. Cats weren’t that interested - especially as one of them had stolen the ham, used in said pie, in the first place, mauled it, left it and the enemy had cut off the bits which were furry!

There were several worried friends and neighbours who thought I might not be able to look after myself but I got on with the domestic chores such as opening the fridge door so the cats could help themselves and providing pizza for breakfast for Ratboy, the son and heir. Try it….not as nutritious as ‘all bran’ but a better option than five day old chicken and bacon pie.

The highlights. Spending twenty minutes retrieving my glasses from the toilet via the use of a bottle of Toilet Duck. This may have been a mistake but I thought that the hooked neck would be ideal to snag the specs and indeed it did after twelve attempts. I will have to call a plumber to remove the Toilet Duck bottle on Monday and a large slice of chicken and bacon pie.

Other highlights included a televisual feast of bloke programmes…Wheeler Dealers, Jurassic Park III and Stop, Cop, Action, Police.

That took up the first 24 hours, while chipping a pizza out of the oven was another hour gone and looking for my car keys was another three.

Remembering that she had taken my car solved the mystery of the missing keys.

I also tidied up the office.

The enemy had said that it could do with a slight sorting and on reflection she may have been right as the first

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NEW ED IMPROVLA! FORMU

NOW S RESCUEES...

GLASS

“I will have to call a plumber to remove the Toilet Duck bottle and a large slice of chicken and bacon pie” three things I found were 200 publicity photos from Television South West from 1987 of yours truly weighing eleven stone, a birth certificate for a cat who died seven years ago and a copy of my will which mentions a different wife.

I am now awaiting her arrival. Have left the hoover in the middle of the front room and sprayed polish everywhere to give the impression that I have spent some time cleaning.

Yours, rodding chicken and bacon pie…

Fitz

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Charlie Brown

Spitfire pilot wears Herring’s Burgh boot

Herring Shoes 58 Fore Street Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 1NY Tel: 01548 858988

www.herring.co.uk

DEFY CONVENTION

TURNS OUT YOU CAN BUY GOOD LOOKS

M{zd{ 6

saloon 150ps se diesel

£199*

+ VAT per month

Available to Business Users only.

• BIK £55^ per month • 104g/km CO 2 • 72.4mpg^^

M{zd{ CX-5 150PS 2WD SE-L Diesel

£249*

+ VAT per month

Available to Business Users only.

• BIK £69^ per month • 119g/km CO2 • 61.4mpg^^

The all-new Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 feature SKYACTIV Technology, which increases performance while reducing CO 2 emissions. WhatCar? were so impressed, they’ve awarded SKYACTIV Technology their Ultra-low carbon award. But the carbon isn’t the only thing that’s ultra-low. Even with a high level of spec as standard you get surprisingly low monthly payments and the low BIK will feel like a pay rise. With both models collecting a host of Fleet World and Fleet News awards, Mazda isn’t the obvious choice. It’s the smart choice. Order today at Vospers.

Devon Air Ambulance Trust

www.vospers-mazda.co.uk Honiton Road, Exeter, EX1 3RS Tel: 01392 203800

Marsh Mills Motor Park, Plymouth, PL6 8AY. Tel: 01752 636363

Vospers Mazda are pleased to be supporting Devon Air Ambulance Trust

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Mazda range: Urban 25.4 (11.1) – 60.1 (4.7). Extra Urban 45.6 (6.2) – 83.1 (3.4). Combined 35.3 (8.0) – 72.4 (3.9).

CO2 emissions (g/km) 188 – 104.

The MPG figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing. These are provided for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your actual driving results. *All monthly figures exclude VAT. Offer available to business users for orders received between 01.04.2014 and 30.06.2014. £249 (exc VAT) figure is based on a Mazda CX-5 150ps 2WD SE-L Diesel without Metallic paint, on a non-maintenance contract hire package over 36 months, 10,000 contract miles per year. Advance payment equal to 6 monthly payments is payable followed by 35 monthly payments. £199 (ex VAT) figure is based on a Mazda6 Saloon 150ps SE Diesel, without Metallic paint, on a non-maintenance contract hire package over 36 months, 10,000 contract miles per year. Advance payment equal to 6 monthly payments is payable followed by 35 monthly payments. Excess mileage charge applies if contract mileage is exceeded. For full terms and conditions and specification please refer to the Mazda Contract Hire Master Agreement and your local dealer. All quotations are subject to availability, status and agreement. Free Metallic paint is only available in conjunction with Mazda Contract Hire offer and applies to selected models only. Guarantees may be required. Terms are unavailable to existing customers under specific end-user terms with Mazda Motors UK Ltd. Details correct at time of publication and may vary, e.g. if list price changes. Mazda Contract Hire Limited does not offer tax advice to individuals: company car drivers should consult their accountant on their tax position. Contract hire by ALD Automotive Ltd, trading as Mazda Contract Hire, Oakwood Park, Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3JA. Models shown with monthly payment: Mazda6 Saloon 150ps SE Diesel. OTR £21,995. Model shown features optional Soul Red Metallic paint (£660). Mazda CX-5 150ps SE-L Diesel. OTR £23,295. Model shown features optional Pearlescent paint (£530). ^BIK values are at 20% rates based on a car with non-Metallic paint and are valid from 1 January 2014. ^^Mpg figures shown are combined. On the road prices include 20% VAT, number plates and 3 years’ European Roadside Assistance. Test drives subject to applicant status and availability.