Helipad Spring 2018

Vintage & Variety

Gear Up for Safety!

Top Tips!

our super new shop

or ol

2018 Motorcycle Ride Out

eer

eo

ial ma a i e o DEVON AIR AMBULANCE

aa or

spring 2018 |

2017 in numbers

Our busiest year

Inspiring stories of patient survival

Hello!

Delightful

Dartmouth e el o

o

spring flavours

e o

Sculpting Seafarers and Sirens with lisabeth adley

RHS Rosemoor

recommends...

p ing flowe s fo a shady ga den

i

e o e Richard Hunt

Meet our

Fantastic Fundraisers Join Our Weekly

LOTTERY Andy, happily back on his bike

Devon Air Ambulance’s very own County Magazine

See inside

Including: Themed family school holiday activities Rose Festival in June & July Rosemoor Flower Show sponsored by AFWM (August) Apple Festival (October) Glow – Winter Illuminations (November – January) Open every day except Christmas day.

Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8PH RHS members go free For tickets and promotions visit rhs.org.uk/rosemoor

Official Flower Show Sponsors

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

Rosemoor AFWM advert A4.indd 1

14/02/2018 17:35

17:35

spring 2018 | WELCOME

3

WELCOME Heléna Holt hief

e

ti e

e

There have been lots of exciting developments at DAA since the last issue of Helipad, and many more to look forward to in the coming months.

On the 16th April, we ‘go live’ with our brand new website. We are delighted with the result, which we think is fresh, modern and much more userfriendly. We would love your feedback so please take a look at www.daat.org and let us know what you think!

Sometime later this year, we will be making a final de ision on whi h heli opte we a e going to purchase in 2020 to replace G-DVAA. The operations and clinical teams are in the process of doing some detailed fa t finding as the e a e many things to consider when buying a new aircraft, not only how much it costs but other important factors like size, weight and capacity

Ali Simpson Helipad Guest Editor I think many would agree with me that spring is the best season of all espite s e ing two bouts of ‘The Beast from the East’, we have just about put away our winter woollies and turned o down the heating and an now look forward to the lighter evenings and warmer days. For those of us lucky enough to live and work in Devon, or even if we are just visiting, we have some of the most beautiful countryside, stunning coastline and interesting towns in which to get out and enjoy everything the season has to o e ll that and the tantalising prospect of the long hazy days of summer just over the horizon.

In this spring issue of Helipad, we get out and about across the county. We take an in-depth look at Dartmouth and say welcome onboard

and even whether to have wheels or skids!

We will hopefully be in a position to announce which helicopter meets our needs soon.

As usual, we hope to see as many of our supporters and fundraisers as possible as we travel about the county to a number of local shows and events this year. If you are a keen biker, and haven’t joined us yet, why not sign up to take part in our annual Motorcycle Ride Out in July; an 80-mile scenic trip around the e on o nt yside finishing in eignmo th with live bands and entertainment. Due to popular demand, this year we have two starting points – Newton Abbot and Bideford – so we look forward to welcoming even more riders from all across the county.

to our new Vintage & Variety shop in the town, as well as enjoying a beautiful spring walk around the Castle Hill estate in Filleigh.

We also learn about some of Devon’s most intriguing myths and legends and talk to a renowned local sculptor and an aspiring young actor. We showcase some of our amazing supporters and their fabulous feats of fundraising and, as always, meet some of our truly inspirational patients. We are delighted that in this iss e we ha e o fi st patient story involving a deployment after dark.

We also share a photo showing Helipad being read a long way from Devon. So, wherever you are reading Helipad this spring – near or far - enjoy!

GET IN TOUCH! Devon Air Ambulance Unit 5 Sandpiper Court Harrington Lane Exeter EX4 8NS 01392 466666 info@daat.org www.daat.org Registered Charity No 1077998 Registered Company No 3855746

Fundraising & Events

fundraising@daat.org

Lottery

lottery@daat.org

Volunteering

Cara Jones

c.jones@daat.org

Patient Contact

Debbie Gregory

d.gregory@daat.org

PR

Sarah Burden

s.burden@daat.org

Night Landing Sites

Toby Russell

t.russell@daat.org

Operations

Nigel Hare

n.hare@daat.org

Magazine Advertising

Ben Foster

b.foster@daat.org

© 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.

4

helipad | www.daat.org

CONTENTS | spring 2018 12 Gear up for safety The Offical Magazine of Devon Air Ambulance Celebrating the best in Devon 50,000 copies covering the whole county. 35,000+ delivered direct to our supporters Also available online at www.daat.org Contributors Sarah Chesters David FitzGerald Richard Hunt Andy Bryan Neil Devons Debbie Gregory Averil Kingdon Ali Simpson Georgia White

OUR WORK 7

Dart PR RHS Louise May Photography Peter Stephens Castle Hill Estate Julian Rees PPA UK

Publisher Heléna Holt h.holt@daat.org 01392 466666 Guest Editor Alison Simpson 01392 466666 ext 147 a.simpson@daat.org Advertising Sales Ben Foster 01366 728488 b.foster@daat.org 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 Summer 2018

is published by DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST

Perfect Past Times

Keeping in touch

We love to hear from you – why not write or email us, or get in touch on social media!

20

Fundraiser Focus

23

Perfect Past Times

38

Business on Board

40

Night Flying

43

Junior Crew

44

Devon People

48

Operations

Photographers

23

We are fortunate to have hundreds of regular supporters and f nd aise s ead abo t ose hanin f om i e ton who fi st onta ted us in 2013 and has been organising a Spring Variety Show ever since showcasing local talent while raising thousands of pounds for Devon Air Ambulance!

In February, we opened of our fantastic new Vintage and Variety shop in Dartmouth to rave reviews. See how we created the perfect ‘retro’ feel to the shop, and read what our customers are saying about us!

We say a very big thank to all the amazing local businesses and ompanies a o nd e on and f the afield who s ppo t s with their imaginative fundraising ideas. omm nity Landing ites e elopment e oby ssell looks at why getting the proper access to our night landing sites is so important, and read how a combination of planning, fund-raising, diplomacy and negotiation helped to get the site in Blackawton ready for action.

We celebrate our inspirational young fundraisers and the creatives ways in which they have gone ‘above and beyond’ to raise money for DAA. In every issue, we showcase some of our brilliant fundraisers. We are grateful to every one of them for raising money for Devon Air Ambulance - we just couldn’t do it without you!

Operations Director, Nigel Hare, explains why 2017 was our busiest year ever – with deployments to over 1,300 incidents and nearly 1,000 patients treated.

spring 2018 | CONTENTS

GET INVOLVED

PEOPLE & PLACES 12

Gear up for safety

We are delighted that Bridge Motorcycles of ete has o e ed to sponso o ann al Ride Out event for another three years. As well as selling bikes, they tell us how their extensive range of equipment and clothing can help to keep our bikers safe and sound.

16

Delightful Dartmouth

24

Colourful Corners

26

Devon Myths and Legends

Volunteering

8

We meet four volunteers from across the county and find o t why they lo e helping at thei local summer events and shows.

21

We learn about its history, enjoy some of its i oni sights and so nds and find o t why it is a great place for food, shopping, festivals and messing about on the water!

From mischievous piskies to haunted pubs and ghostly ‘goings on’ on Dartmoor, enjoy reading about some of our county’s most devilish myths and legends.

A Star is born...

30

Walk around Filleigh

32

A Touch of Frost

34

Spring has Sprung

We talk to 15-year old Aidan Milford, a young man from Exeter determined to make it in the noto io sly di lt wo ld of a ting

hef i ha d nt in ites s all to ast o the winter blues and enjoy some of the delicious p od e that e on has to o e

36

Sculpting Seafarers and Sirens

50

Back Chat

We meet Brixham-based sculptor and designer Elisabeth Hadley, creator of two of the South Devon coast’s most iconic pieces of art.

Fitz rails against bureaucracy while ‘reassuring’ his good lady wife about prison food!

Join Our Weekly

LOTTERY

See Page

22

a ing aised mo e yea s find o t how we spend the money on life-saving medical equipment, keeping our crew safe and the cuddly toy that means so much to our younger patients.

Where your money goes

PATIENTS 10

amily

ai

Hannah Lapworth and her dad Roger Snell both needed to call on the services of Devon Air mb lan e b t fo e y di e ent easons

15

Shot in the head!

28

Spring Break

42

Lucky Lottie Little Lottie Frost had a frightening experience when she was accidentally scolded with hot soup. e m m my e alls how the ai amb lan e flew into her local village community landing site after dark which meant Lottie got help from a specialist burns centre fast.

The manager of our shop in Barnstaple, Averil Kingdon, takes us for a walk around the beautiful Castle Hill Estate in Filleigh, North Devon.

We meet Devon’s latest horse-racing sensation yony ost and find o t why supporting Devon Air Ambulance is so personal to her and her family.

Lottery

21

RHS Rosemoor’s Sarah Chesters shows us how to bring colour to the shadiest spots in our gardens, and shares some useful ‘greenfinge ed’ tips to help s get eady fo sp ing

29

5

Evan Williams recalls how being caught in the line of fi e d ing a game shoot o ld ha e had fatal consequences and how luck, and the air ambulance, helped to save his life. ylan ooks aste s e ed a te ibly f a t ed leg in an accident; his mum tells us how the air ambulance came to the rescue and how the speed they got him to hospital meant it wasn’t long before sports-mad Dylan was back swimming, cycling and playing rugby.

On The Cover Issue No.19 spring 2018 Bluebell Woods near Stoke Gabriel

6

helipad | www.daat.org

Made in Somerset

We are proud to support Devon Air Ambulance

Write your will through us and we will donate £25 to DAAT

Sold in Devon

01404 515427 • advice@eastdevonlaw.co.uk www.eastdevonlaw.com

for a World Record £305,000

Are you looking for a great advertising opportunity?

Hans Coper (1920-1981) A stoneware cycladic vase

For more details contact Ian Hunt

Circulation - more than 45,000 copies Delivered via Royal Mail - 36,000 copies Distributed via our shops and events - 15,000 copies Available via DAA website (12k visits per month) Shared via our Social Media channels

T: 01392 413100 W: www.bhandl.co.uk E: enquiries@bhandl.co.uk

British!

WIN THIS CAR CAR!

RHS Rosemoor

2017 Summer Draw

the official magazine

summer 2017 |

Glorious Gardens

of DEVON AIR AMBULANCE

We meet

Devon’s Castles

Racehorse trainer

Nigel Hawke Ceramics Expert

A journey through

Nic Saintey

For more information contact:

TRUST

www.daat.org

history

Inspiring stories of patient survival Celebrating Devon Food

Ben Foster - 01366 728488 b.foster@daat.org St. Edmund’s Court, Okehampton Street, Exeter EX4 1DU

Allotment Life

Quintessentially

with

Summer Stroll at

Richard Hunt

Mount Edgcumbe

Meet our

Fantastic Fundraisers

2017’s

Big Events

Join Our Weekly

Motorcycle Rideout Dragon Boat Festival Commando Challenge

LOTTERY

Why not get involved?

See inside

Andy, happily back

on his bike Devon Air Ambulanc e’s very own County Magazine

Grow your business with county-wide advertising in Devon Air Ambulance’s very own County Magazine

Haldon

Forest Park Family fun in the forest

g 40km of walkin ils a and cycle tr ils Horse riding tra urse Orienteering co ty All-terrain mobili scooter Cafe, cycle hire plus lots more!

Get free parking, savings discounts and lots more. , Join online at forestry.gov.uk/pass

Activity Trail

Coming from January 2018 Th

eH

igh

Haldonforestpark

forestry.gov.uk/ er. highwayrat xel Scheffl

way R

at ©

son/ 2011 & TM Julia Donald

Open all year, 7 days a week! n Follow the brow 38 A signs from and A380. For more info, call: 0300 067 5826

A

forestry.gov.uk/ haldonforestpark

spring 2018 | SUPPORT

7

Keeping in touch We love to hear from you – why not write or email us, or get in touch on social media!

4x4 to the rescue

d

The recent snowy weather brought challenges for many business and individuals. It also brought out a fantastic community spirit. This was demonstrated to us when Ben, a 4x4 driver, volunteered to drive our aircrew to work and home again to ensure the air ambulance service could keep flying.

Thanks Ben!

Gracias from afar

Thank you for your thank you...

Supporter Sam Lakin raised nearly £1,900 last summer with his marathon mountain bike challenge. This was his response on Facebook when he received his Certificate of Thanks…

c

Dawn, a supporter who now lives in Spain, messaged us on Facebook.

Although we were unable to help save her father’s life, she is grateful to know that absolutely everything that could have been done was done to help him.

“The air ambulance went to the aid of my Dad when he collapsed but unfortunately couldn’t save him. He had been suffering for some time with C.O.P.D. I was in Spain when this occurred but the guy from Devon air ambulance called me at home here in Spain to speak to me and say how sorry he was that they couldn’t save him. I really cannot speak highly enough of them.”

Funds from his funeral were donated to DAA in his memory and Dawn’s mum still plays our Lottery every week.

c

Out of Africa …. and finally, we love to see how far Helipad is reaching around the globe – thanks to our contributor for this photograph from The Gambia.

We’d love to see where else Helipad is being read so please send your photographs to us from near and far!

Why not come and say ‘hello’ to the team at an event this summer! Find us at...

4-6 May 7 May 17-19 May 25 July 28 July 27-28 July 29 July 30 July 1 August 2 August 8 August 9 August 16 August

BMAD Bike Show, Paignton lme o Devon County Show ealm o o Mid Devon Show a o e i al Totnes Show ool er o or e o o Honiton Show E or o e am o o a or o

18 August 23 August 1 September

ri o ol or i ri

o e

o o

8

helipad | www.daat.org

VOLUNTEERING Profile: Cara Jones - Volunteer Manager Email:

o e @daat.org

Cara joined us in April 2017 and is responsible for steering and coordinating volunteering across Devon Air Ambulance, including the recruitment, induction, training and s ppo t of o ol ntee s wo king in o shops and the omm nity

Eventful Volunteering!

From Great Torrington to Tiverton, from South Molton to the South Hams, Cara Jones looks at how our volunteers from every corner of the county provide vital support to Devon Air Ambulance in ‘events season’

E

e ea o i a a roa i e o ir m la e e oro l e o a i ar i omm i e e a o o all a ro e o ell a o eri rai i o or i ie e are al o er e la e or o e a e i o r lo al omm i ie a or er ear a ie orie a are e elo me i e er i e i e li Our volunteers are the key ingredient to ensuring we can be represented at a wide variety of these events, as well as

playing a vital part in supporting Devon Air Ambulance’s own annual events, such as the Motorcycle Ride Out in July, Dragon Boat Festival in September and the Commando Challenge in tobe e ent ol ntee s o ld find themsel es nning a DAA stall, selling our merchandise, promoting our service, sharing their volunteer experiences with other potential volunteers or helping with vital logistics such as car parking and t a ma shalling

We have a large team of volunteers who help out at our events, so let me introduce you to just a few...

Tony Cannon After retiring from a successful career as a hotelier in Exeter, Tony became a volunteer for Devon Air Ambulance in 2012. With oodles of experience in hospitality and HR, Tony is a real ‘people person’ so wanted to find a ol ntee ing ole that helped him give something back while being active and social. Tony always knew Devon Air Ambulance was a worthwhile a se and his fi st imp ession of the ha ity was the amo nt of s ppo t he was o e ed and how he was t eated professionally as an equal.

Tony enjoys meeting some of the crew at summer events and, despite often inclement weather, he attends a dozen or so events throughout the season.

Tony also supports Devon Air Ambulance as a volunteer speaker, so enjoys reading our publications and keeping an eye on social media which helps him keep right up-to-date with developments within the charity.

Tony likes the event volunteer role as it means he is able to get some fresh air, meet new people and can help spread the word about the valuable work of Devon Air Ambulance. Tony discovered that people are genuinely interested in the service and how it all operates. “People a e always s p ised to find o t that doesn’t e ei e any Government or Lottery funding – as a charity, they are proud to be entirely independent”.

Rex Brown e fi st be ame awa e of e on i mb lan e yea s ago ha ing seen them attend at the s ene of a oad t a accident he had just witnessed. Rex had a long career in a hospitality ind st y befo e finally eti ing as the landlo d of the p b nea la kawton e wanted to find something to occupy his time, so became a volunteer for Devon Air Ambulance in 2012, servicing collection boxes in Totnes and then Kingsbridge.

Like Tony, Rex had the perfect personality to be one of Devon Air Ambulance’s volunteer speakers. He has since gone on to attend many events as a representative of the charity, ranging from emergency services awareness days to worm charming and Wacky Races! Rex enjoys receiving feedback from the public, saying “it is interesting to notice that even if people aren’t currently donating to anyone else, they will always give to DAA.” Most of all, Rex enjoys meeting new and interesting people. He has built up quite a network of friends and co-volunteers over the years and particularly enjoys meeting up with them when their paths cross at various events. Irrespective of the weather – Rex once experienced a total wash-out at the Kingsbridge Show – the end result is always the same. “You can expand your social network, get to know people, enjoy new opportunities and experience new adventures. If you are looking for the best way to do something di e ent and something new you can talk about, become a DAA event volunteer!”

spring 2018 | VOLUNTEERS

Pat Kingston Before his retirement, Pat had a varied career. He worked in the Port of London for an independent stevedoring company before coming a Dock Manager at Tilbury in the late 1970`s and spending 17 years as a Forest Product Terminal Manager at Sheerness. When he, his wife Christine and daughter Stella moved to Devon in 2013, he set about looking for something interesting and worthwhile to do.

While considering local volunteering opportunities, Pat came across a Devon Air Ambulance advert in the local newspaper appealing for help in North Devon. The air ambulance service is very close to Pat’s heart – he tragically lost his son in a mountain bike accident in Windsor Great Park. Thames Valley Air Ambulance had been deployed but stood down as, sadly, Pat’s son had already passed away. at initially sta ed a stand at an e ent with pe ations Director Nigel Hare and Fundraising Director Caroline Creer. is fi st imp ession was how f iendly e e yone was at also helps by servicing collection boxes in his local area and has, on occasion, also given talks for DAA. If you like meeting people, volunteering for DAA can be very rewarding and can often lead to other openings. With Pat being new to his village, he found that being a DAA volunteer in the area allowed him to get to know local people much quicker than if he had been trying to do it alone.

9

Val Drew al fi st be ame aware of Devon Air Ambulance when she saw their stand at the Devon County Show in 2003. Having recently retired, Val was looking for something to do on a voluntary basis. As well as having worked as an accountancy clerk, Val and her husband Martyn had owned a retail pharmacy business so Val though that volunteering for DAA would be something ‘faintly medical’ and match up to her experience.

Val’s main volunteer role is as a box collector and she just lo es o nting othe people’s money ne of he ea liest memories is playing with thrupenny bits in her grandparents’ pub. Val also supports the charity by presenting talks, attending cheque presentations and helping at events in North Devon. “It’s humbling to be a small part of such a great organisation and the generosity of Devon folk, and our visitors, never ceases to amaze me” said Val. Val’s favourite volunteering memory is of a talk she gave to the Lynton “White Cane Club”. She recalls that about half of the people who attended were hard of hearing and half were visually impaired, which meant that doing her Powerpoint presentation was something of a challenge! However, Val remembers how thoughtful they were - after her talk they kindly invited Val to stay on, where they played dominoes for the rest of the afternoon.

Our 530 volunteers have big hearts and are always willing to help, even though they often have their own family commitments and social engagements. That’s why we are so grateful for whatever support we receive – no matter how great or small, how often or how infrequently. Every little bit really counts!

Our volunteers share their ‘top tips’ for helping out at events: • Be prepared for all sorts of weather – wear suitable shoes, take a change of clothes and remember sunscreen and sunglasses; • Check access and parking arrangements before you arrive; • Take along some ‘vital supplies’ – it is always a good idea to have a drink and some snacks to keep you going through the day; • Don’t worry if you are concerned you may have to be on your feet all day – DAA will happily send down a folding chair !

• Take a camera – DAA love to share your photos of the day.

• And remember – have fun !

As the services continues to grow, we hope our volunteer family will too!

If you would like to give volunteering for Devon Air Ambulance a go, please contact our Volunteer Manager, Cara Jones on c.jones@daat.org or by calling Exeter (01392) 466 666.

TOP TIPS!

f voluntoreers

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

10

helipad | www.daat.org

Tying up the loose ends...

We all love it when various pieces of a jigsaw fall into place and that was the result when we had an email message from Hannah Lapworth.

Hannah chose to donate a beautiful sofa and cuddle chair to our specialist Furniture & Electrical shop, mentioning that DAA was an obvious choice as both s e and er at er ad been airli ted atient Liaison Officer Debbie regory anted to nd out more

H

annah had been airlifted when the van she was driving was in a head-on collision with another van in 2009. Fortunately, the fears of serious neck and back injuries were unfounded and Hannah was soon up and about again.

Her dad, Roger Snell, had need of urgent treatment in September 2016. Roger wo ks as a Logisti s e for the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and his day had started the same as any other. But, as he got in the car for a lift to work, he collapsed, falling on to the passenger seat. His wife, Jackie picks up the story: “At the time, I just knew I had to get him to hospital, albeit a di e ent depa tment to his usual place of work! I rushed into A&E asking for help and, eventually, we got Roger out of the car. I didn’t know what the problem was but Roger was almost unconscious and unable to communicate at all. he fi st test was an b t

the results were clear – so we knew it wasn’t a heart attack.

As further tests were being requested, one particular do to le oss was an absolute angel. She kept me informed every step of the way finally ad ising that I should gather all the family around. It was such a scary time.

for surgery! As my other daughter Hannah and my sons-in-law also arrived, Dr Alex advised that Roger was s e ing f om a disse ted aorta, a bleed in the heart vessel. They had been in contact with Derriford Hospital and Roger was going to be transferred by Air Ambulance for specialist

“ I was so grateful to know that Roger ould get to Derri ord so uic ly by elicopter but it as a ul saying goodbye to him; none of us knew if he would survive t e ourney or t e surgery ” oin identally knew that one of my daughters, Natalie, was already in a neighbouring ward at the RD&E as my 4-year old grandson had been admitted the night before with a suspected appendicitis.

Little Logan had then been diagnosed with life-threatening peritonitis and was being prepared

emergency surgery.

“I was so grateful to know that Roger would get to Derriford so quickly by helicopter but it was awful saying goodbye to him; none of us knew if he would survive the journey, or the surgery.”

Leaving daughter Natalie awaiting news of little Logan, and Roger heading to

Derriford for the 20-minute flight attended and monitored by Air Ambulance specialist paramedics, Jackie was driven to Plymouth by Hannah and her husband. On arrival, Roger had an 8-hour operation to save his life.

When Jackie saw her h sband in on life support and attached to a number of tubes and lines, Roger’s chances of survival were given as 50/50. He was kept in an induced coma for over a week. A massive boost for all the family was to learn that little Logan had come through the wo st and was finally on the mend.

Even as Roger made a gradual recovery and was transferred from Derriford back to RD&E, he wasn’t out of the woods. After 4 weeks in hospital, he had only been at home for a day when Jackie realised that her husband was going downhill apidly alling an ambulance, it was

spring 2018 | PATIENTS

11

Hannah an Andrew a d sons nd Tyler

Roger and n ga o L n o s d n a r g discovered that Roger had developed sepsis, another dangerous condition, and he was readmitted to RD&E for further treatment.

Eighteen months have now passed since Roger collapsed and, whilst he has had various relapses and is still unable to work, the family are all grateful to Devon Air Ambulance for the part they played in saving his life.

As Debbie Gregory learned the story, there were lots of loose ends tied up. “We knew we’d airlifted Roger, but not his whole story, and we knew we’d airlifted their daughter, but not that it was Hannah.

Even the mention of Dr Alex Cross was a coincidence as

Jackie and Roger

Dr Cross now works with us on the Air Ambulance!”

As the couple celebrated their 40th anniversary with a party last year, they requested donations to DAA in lieu of gifts. Organising the event,

o er a o rom e E o i al o erri or o i al i 20 minutes or li e a i r er roa i i a mile o r e o l a e a lea 50 minutes.

X

Jackie said, “Put simply, the Air Ambulance gave Roger the chance of survival. Without the speed of getting him to Derriford for the specialist surgery, we wouldn’t have been celebrating our anniversary at all. We can

never thank you enough.”

As well as donating her preloved furniture, Hannah also said that she and her family all play our Lottery each week explaining, “It’s such an easy and simple way for us to show our support that gives your charity a regular income stream. Our whole family is so grateful every day for the service.” o

X

a During 2017 1% of missions flown were inter-hospital transfers ensuring patients were able to receive the best specialist care in the quickest time.

1%

of missions were hospital transfers

12

helipad | www.daat.org

GEAR UP FOR SAFETY Dozens of Devon Air Ambulance call outs every year are in response to motorbike accidents. But awareness campaigns, collaborations with industry experts and events such as DAA’s Motorcycle Ride Out are all helping to reduce the risks

Helipad’s Georgia White learns rom official sponsor of our Ride Out – Bridge Motorcycles in Exeter – how technical innovation and the broadening public appeal of motorbiking is helping it to become safer.

A

sense of anticipation lingers in the air with a change in any season; but no more so than in spring when across the county motorbikes gently hum in open garages as devoted owners tinker with their engines while dreaming of the twowheeled adventures ahead of them.

Some of the most glorious motorbike rides in the UK criss-cross Devon’s countryside, so it’s no wonder that thousands of enthusiasts take to the roads every year to experience the exhilaration of routes that frame our coast or span our moors. he infl of seasonal fai weathe riders is a reminder to motorists to be extra watchful for motorcyclists on our roads. Bikers are of course more vulnerable because they lack the

p ote ti e benefit of a a ’s surrounds. But the industry has made huge advances in manufacturing high-visibility protective gear, which ensures bikers can experience how amazing riding is while keeping as safe as possible.

Innovative technology reaching the marketplace at elati ely a o dable p i es now means bikers can purchase state-of-the-art kit designed spe ifi ally to protect them from abrasions and absorb potential impacts.

Specialist Kevlar-lined jeans and jackets integrated with military-grade D30 armour are just some of the

spring 2018 | MOTORCYCLING p ote ti e lothing yo ’ll find hanging on the ails of idge oto y les at its destination deale ship at a sh a ton idge’s a keting e ti e att e y e plains e’ e seeing new te hnology being fed th o gh to etaile s m h i ke making ama ingly high g ade p ote ti e gea mo e a essible and a o dable fo o stome s nd nowadays the safety kit also looks appealing so

h nd eds of bike s f om all walks of life t n o t fo its ike ights whi h aise money fo ha ity and a e a han e to sha e tips and plan the ne t lo al f nd aising moto bike p o ession t’s like being pa t of a family att enth ses o an o k p anywhe e and if the e’s anothe bike pa ked the e no matte what bike yo immediately ha e a feeling of familia ity and e ognition

likes of de otees a id e kham in e illiam and in e a y a e making moto y ling the no m att adds ike s want to b eak down pe ei ed ba ie s fo e e yone’s best inte est hey say that if of all moto ists ode moto bikes then yo wo ld ed e t a ams by a thi d he mo e moto y ling be omes the no m the bette it is nde stood and the efo e the safe it is fo bike s o t on

13

ide lminating with an afte noon of ente tainment at the en in eignmo th idge oto y les sta look fo wa d to meeting ide s th o gho t the day hey will be o e ing ad i e and sha ing details abo t idge’s se i es and its t aining o ses whi h help ide s hone thei handling skills and be as safe as possible on the oads idge’s i e to Lee nthony who followed his

“ Motorcycles are, above all, a lifestyle where family, passion and technical innovation meet. I truly believe that two wheels move the soul, and this is why we feel it is so important to support charities like Devon Air Ambulance who help motorcyclists in their time of need ” the e’s something fo e e y type of bike att’s ob io s passion fo bikes is sha ed by olleag es a oss idge’s show oom whi h also hosts a af that do bles p as a meeting h b fo e on’s lose knit bike omm nity he awa d winning ompany was fo nded in and is the o th est’s la gest m lti f an hise moto y le deale ship e y month

t’s a way of life and a feeling yo don’t get with anything else hen yo ’ e o t iding yo ha e that sense of f eedom and yo ’ e li ing fo the moment ith the han e of an easie mo e e o f iendly and heape omm te it’s no wonde that moto y ling is be oming mo e mainst eam one a e the ste eotype bad boy a lon ando style images ow the

the oad illed as one of the biggest f nd aising e ents in the biking alenda it is anti ipated that mo e than pa ti ipants will e p to the two sta ting lines at idefo d and ewton bbot fo the oto y le ide t on nday ly he e’s g a anteed to be the stoma y h ge sense of ama ade ie as they p o eed along the st nning mile

fathe and g andfathe ’s footsteps into the family b siness on l des oto y les a e abo e all a lifestyle whe e family passion and te hni al inno ation meet t ly belie e that two wheels mo e the so l and this is why we feel it is so impo tant to s ppo t ha ities like e on i mb lan e who help moto y lists in thei time of need o

Motorcycle statistics >> ltho gh moto y lists only a o nt fo of total oad t a they a o nt fo of all oad se s’ deaths >> o nd signifi ant in idents in ol e bike s on the ’s oads e e y day >> n of all t a ma in idents that esponded to that’s moto bike elated a idents ep esented bike s >> o ng ide s ep esent st of ide as alties of moto y lists in the b t ep esent mo e than >> of hospital admissions fo biking in ies in ol e b oken bones in the lowe leg >> all o yo bike at mph and ta ma will sh ed th o gh eans in a se ond

O

n a more positive note, ile o erall ra le el i the UK rose by 1% last year from the previous year, the number of mo or i e a al ie ell a d hitting o e nment safety awa eness ampaigns the p omotion of t aining o ses and the la n h of inno ati e new p ote ti e lothing a e all helping to lessen the isks to bike s e e is o safety e ipment he klist as e ommended by the e pe ts at idge oto y les

>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

he k a helmet’s ating befo e p hase www.direct.gov.uk/sharp e e b y a se ond hand helmet and ens e it’s the ight fit to e yo helmet safely whe e it won’t e e get kno ked ea lothing with efle ti e st ips to make s e yo ’ e seen se a lean iso o goggles that a e f ee f om s at hes and sm dges lways wea spe ialist p ote ti e bike glo es ea leathe s o spe ialist wate p oofs with integ ated body a mo that gi es added p ote tion to the elbows ba k sho lde s hips and knees n est in a ba k p ote to whi h will abso b ene gy f om an impa t he k fo the label to ens e e ipment omplies with opean standa ds it is e e ything when p hasing p ote ti e lothing f it’s not fitted p ope ly then it won’t p ote t yo f yo a e ns e abo t what gea and the o e t fittings to get then isit a ep table deale s h as idge oto yles in ete who an help yo get sta ted isit www.bridgemotorcycles.com

14

helipad | www.daat.org

spring 2018 | PATIENTS 15

Unlucky Shot In November 2008, Evan Williams was driving a game cart on a shooting trip when he found himself in the line of fire – with devastating consequences. Evan takes up the story …

H

aving retired after a lifetime in the newspaper industry, I started to spend a day a week helping my son-in-law who is a farmer and gamekeeper. When the shooting season came around, I joined the beating line which I found to be a great outdoor experience, especially when combined

I was temporarily deafened and, as I flew off the bike and landed on the hard ground, I was aware of blood streaming from my nose. Things are somewhat hazy from then on, but I was extremely fortunate that circumstances were in my favour. There was a doctor on the game shoot that day and my son-in-law, as well as

“ I had 53 pieces of shot in my head, throat and shoulder ” with my love of birdwatching.

Later, the elderly man who ran the game cart retired and I was asked if I ‘fancied a go’? – it was a dream come true, as I could combine my love of the outdoors and country pursuits with driving a quad bike and trailer off-road in the beautiful Exmoor National Park.

On this particularly day – which I remember was cold, wet and windy - I had been sitting on the quad bike, watching one of the guns who was behind and above me at a distance of thirty yards or so. I turned away and immediately thought that someone had crept up and hit me very hard on the left side of my head.

being a keeper, is a volunteer first responder with the fire service.

I was bundled into the front seat of a truck with the doctor sitting behind me, pushing my jaw forward to enable me to breathe and swallow. I vaguely remember drifting in and out of consciousness on the way out of the woods into a nearby field.

This particular field is marshy, surrounded by trees and has a power line running above it. How on earth the pilot flew the helicopter in I will never know. When they arrived, I was feeling pretty cold but as soon as I was

put on board, the heating was turned up and I soon received the expert attention that made me feel much safer and more comfortable.

The journey from Dulverton to Exeter took just 15 minutes – most of which I don’t remember but I am sure that, had I waited for a land ambulance, the outcome may have been quite different.

I had 53 pieces of shot in my head, throat and shoulder but - by some miracle - not one of them caused damage to any vital part of my body.

Even though some of the shot had passed right through my throat, and I had to be fed via

a tube for a few days until the wounds started to heal, there was no lasting damage done.

I was told at that time that each call out for the air ambulance cost about £1,000 (I believe it is a lot more now)! I made up my mind to repay the charity for saving my life so set about giving talks and singing and managed to raise £1,015 within twelve months.

It is almost 10 years since my accident and I am sure that, without the speed and expert attention of Devon Air Ambulance, I may not have been around to eventually tell my story! o Evan in hospital

16

helipad | www.daat.org

Dartmouth

‘a most satisfying town’

Helipad’s Neil Devons visits the jewel on the south Devon coast, learns about its fascinating history and the many delights it as to o er today s visitor

I

n his splendid 1976 book ‘Companion Guide to Devon & Cornwall’, Sir Darrell Bates wrote of Dartmouth “...a most satisfying town. It has a splendid situation at the mouth of one of England’s loveliest rivers; it is rich in history; it has several interesting and beautiful buildings and it has more pubs to the square mile than any other place I know.”

That was more than 40 years ago but apart from the dubious accolade of plentiful drinking establishments, not much has changed.

Dartmouth remains an extremely attractive harbour town with tiers of colourful residences overlooking a very busy waterfront and is a year round visitor destination.

With its deep water natural harbour and the river navigable as far as Totnes, Dartmouth prospered through the Bordeaux wine trade and the export of English cloth. The port facilities were originally on higher ground with the areas we now know as the Boat Float, the Royal Avenue Gardens and the Butterwalk all underwater. A mill pond separated two settlements, Hardness and Clifton, and these were connected in 1243 by building the ‘Foss’, a dam that is today’s Foss Street.

When trade expanded there was a shortage of land so a programme of land reclamation began.

The town’s fascinating history includes mustering an inte national fleet to fight the crusades and making a contribution to the 100 Years War by sending 31 vessels to assist in the Blockade of Calais in 1346 – a small Armada compared to the 485 ships that sailed from the Dart as part of D-Day in 1944.

The Town Centre Arriving in the town centre, the fi st thing yo ’ll noti e is the Boat Float (Inner Harbour) surrounded by an array of attractive historic buildings, the centrepiece of which is the Royal Castle Hotel. This famous inn began life in 1639 as a couple of merchant houses with the current façade being built in 1835. he oyal’ s was added after a visit from the Prince of Wales in 1902. Prince Charles and Prince Andrew have also been visitors along with a galaxy of Hollywood stars including Cary Grant and Gregory Peck.

Next to the Boat Float, yo ’ll find the oyal en e Gardens named after Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. This attractive enclave was reclaimed from m dflats in the th ent y and today contains an ornamental fountain, a rose garden and a Mediterranean garden, as well as being home to several exotic plant species. It also contains a

spring 2018 | DEVON TOWNS

typical Victorian bandstand - which is still in use today - and a memorial to Private Theodore Veale, a Dartmouth lad who won the Victoria Cross in World War One while serving with the Devonshire Regiment.

In the adjacent car park and next to Dartmouth Visitor Centre is the Newcomen Engine House displaying the only original engine invented

by Dartmouth born Thomas Newcomen. His reciprocating steam engine was used to pump water out of tin and coal mining shafts and made a signifi ant ont ib tion to the industrial revolution.

Nearby is the Flavel, an eye-catching modern, glassfronted art centre housing a cinema, theatre, library and commercial exhibition space.

Named after a 17th century non-conformist preacher, the Flavel boasts a wonderful programme of live events.

For 2018, this includes jazz, comedy, classical music, drama and poetry as well

as a range of ‘live to screen’ performances.

Shopping in Dartmouth Dartmouth’s mini-maze of narrow streets, its twists and t ns and steep flights of steps help to make it a wonderful place to wander about in, and these many independently owned and managed shops and galleries make the town a unique place to shop.Food stores f om deli atessens and fish and game specialists to wine merchants, butchers and bakers vie with gift and interior design shops, cafés, restaurants and art galleries.

You’ll rarely see as many galleries and boutiques side by side as you will in Dartmouth’s Foss Street, the oldest street in the town mongst the many celebrated artists who sell their work on Foss Street, Simon Drew is perhaps best known for the quirky puns

he uses on his cartoons and illustrations, and which can be found on a range merchandise including cards, mugs and place mats.

The Butterwalk on Duke Street is one of Dartmouth’s most iconic group of buildings. Dating from around 1635-40, it is a row of merchants’ houses with a series of granite pillars which support the projecting ppe floo s he e is s pe b interior plasterwork especially in the appropriately named Sloping Deck Restaurant whe e the wonky floo s a e a result of being built on reclaimed land. In fact, when the tte walk was fi st b ilt ships would have moored right behind it. t is he e that yo ’ll find the interesting Dartmouth Museum which includes the King’s Room where Charles II met the town’s mayor in 1671.

The Butterwalk was severely damaged by enemy action in 1943 but was painstakingly restored in the 1950s.

A Canterbury Tale The father of English lite at e eo ey Chaucer visited Dartmouth in 1373 in his capacity as a customs o e s a es lt a Dartmouth townsman found his way into the Canterbury Tales.

A Shipman was ther

woning fer by weste For aught I woot he

was of Dertemouthe

The Butterwalk

17

18

helipad | www.daat.org The Cherub on Higher Street

Food & Drink It’s possibly a combination of a wonderfully picturesque environment with the availability of superb, locally sourced produce that established Dartmouth’s reputation as a ‘foodie’ town. Great chefs include Joyce Molyneux who opened the Carved Angel in 1974 and was one of the fi st women to e ei e a Michelin Star, along with John Burton-Race, Keith Floyd and Mitch Tonks, who all helped to put Dartmouth on the food lovers map.

With a reputation comes competition, so the town has remained a top destination for food with restaurants, hotels and af s o e ing wonderfully imaginative menus. How about rack of lamb with a honey & herb

crust at Taylor’s Restaurant, butter poached half local lobste with sa on ling ini at the Dart Marina Hotel, Sardinian seafood stew at the Seahorse, a cottage or steak pie at Piestro or the ubiquitous crab sandwich – a delight at any time.

If Sir Darrell Bates were to revisit Dartmouth today, he wo ld still find no sho tage of pubs, now supplemented by a range of fashionable bars. Perhaps the most famous pub in the town is also the oldest intact medieval building – the Cherub on Higher Street.

Dating from around 1380, the pub retains many original features including the pole staircase made from a ship’s mast. However, it’s not the oldest pub as that honour is claimed by the nearby Seven Stars.

Britannia Royal Naval College The training of Navy cadets in Dartmouth dates back to the days of wooden hulks moored in the river in the 1860s but concerns for health and overcrowding prompted a call for a specialised shore-based facility to be created. This was eventually built on a hill overlooking the Dart in 1905.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew were all trained there and it is at BRNC that the young in ess li abeth had he fi st p bli ised meeting with Philip Mountbatten.

Guided tours of BRNC are available through Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre.

spring 2018 | DEVON TOWNS

Events & Festivals There’s always something going on in Dartmouth where a truly supportive community spirit helps to make all their events and festivals memorable occasions.

The Dart Music Festival serves up a musical tour de force with over 100 acts pe fo ming in di e ent venues over three days and representing just about every musical genre from classical, blues, swing and jazz to folk, rock, choirs and sea shanties.

(11th-13th May 2018 – www. dartmusicfestival.co.uk) The 15th annual Dartmouth Art & Craft Weekend in aid of Children’s Hospice South West is being held in Royal Avenue Gardens where artists and craft workers show and sell their work alongside a range of musical performers and refreshing food and drink

stalls. (23rd-24th June 2018 – www.discoverdartmouth. com/whats-on) The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta is known the world over as one of the great local events attracting thousands and thousands of visitors for the three-day festival. The focus is on sailing, rowing and swimming events but it now has a fantastic air display over the estuary, a tennis tournament, road race and even waterborne tug of war. There is also live music and street food to be enjoyed (30th August – 1st September 2018 – www. dartmouthregatta.co.uk) The annual Dartmouth ood esti al onfi ms the town’s foodie reputation with a ‘tempting mix of delicious regional food and drink, chef demonstrations, workshops, lively food debates and fun for all the family’. It

19

It’s not just Plymouth who will be celebrating the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers to the New o ld in he ayflowe and the peedwell p t into a tmo th in g st of that yea to e e t nning epai s to the Speedwell and they stayed for 10 days.

Dartmouth is one of eleven locations participating in the ational ayflowe a tne ship and the town aims to stage a series of exciting events and projects, some of which will leave a lasting legacy well beyond 2020.

For more information visit www da tmo thmayflowe k

regularly attracts over 20,000 visitors and 100 South West producers as well as a clutch of celebrity chefs (19th21st October 2018 – www. dartmouthfoodfestival.com).

There’s lots more including a Shakespeare Week and

Woofstock UK which you won’t be surprised to know represents all things doggy from shows to agility tests. More information is available by visiting www. discoverdartmouth.com/ whats-on o

20

helipad | www.daat.org

Variety is the spice of life As spring approaches, Helipad turns the ‘Fundraiser Focus’ spotlight onto Tiverton resident, Rose Chanin. Rose has already sprung into action ma ing t e nal arrangements for her 6th annual Spring Variety Show showcasing local acts in support of Devon Air Ambulance.

R

ose contacted our Fundraising Department back in 2013 with her plans to organise a Spring Variety Show involving the local community and set to work attracting a whole array of local acts including singers, dancers, gymnasts, instrumentalists, comedians and specialist acts all giving up their time for free to put on a real ‘good feeling’ community show. Such was the success of the show and enthusiasm of the acts the show has now become an annual event and has raised over £9,800 to date!

We asked what inspired Rose to support Devon Air Ambulance. “Devon Air Ambulance is a well-known local charity that many of us can associate with; we have either had experience of the life-saving work ourselves or,

if not directly through a family member or friend, many of us know someone who has e pe ien ed the se i e fi st hand. I am sure that everyone in Devon recognises the di e en e that ha ing o own Air Ambulance service makes in life-threatening situations.

“The Charity is a truly trusted one. When we see a red helicopter in the sky, we know that an unfortunate someone is just minutes away from hearing the welcome sound of the blades whirring overhead. When I organise an event in aid of DAA I can be sure of an audience to support me.

Most of what I do requires ticket sales and I am delighted to say that I have a following who are constantly looking forward to the next event, when they can be entertained and feel they are contributing to a very

Rose takes a bow!

worthwhile cause at the same time. A blanket collection at the end of the Variety Show or our Bickleigh Play nights always ens es that the p ofits in ease substantially.

“I value the support that the ha ity o e s to me when organise an activity for the Air Ambulance. It demonstrates that even the lesser amounts raised in small local events mean a lot to the charity. This

is critical in keeping everyone on board and having a sense of belonging.”

This year’s Spring Variety Show takes place on Saturday 12th May, 7.30pm at the New Hall Tiverton. Tickets are available from Twyford Photography & Print at 60 Bampton Street, Tiverton. For more information please visit our website www.daat.org/ event/spring-variety-show. o

THINKING OF FUNDRAISING?

i

See our GETTING IN TOUCH section on page 3

If you are planning a community fundraising event in support of Devon Air Ambulance we would love to hear from you. We can assist you with support materials as well as promoting the event, so please contact us via our website - www.daat.org/your-event or by telephoning our Fundraising Team on 01392 466666.

spring 2018 | LOTTERY

LOTTERY ofile

a y wen

nd aising

21

anage

mail t owen daat o g Tracy has been with DAA for over 10 years and oversees all aspects of fundraising, including working with those who have nominated us as their Charity of the Year, business supporters and our own in-house Lottery.

What a lot the lottery helps buy!

Over the last 16 years, Devon Air Ambulance’s in-house lottery has raised in the region of £16m. Tracy looks at what this incredible amount of money has helped us to buy over the years – from treasured teddy bears to operational kit, and some ama ing li e-saving e uipment t at can ma e all t e di erence

F

or the last 16 years, our lottery has gone from strength to strength. From relatively humble beginnings in 2001, we were thrilled to celebrate achieving £2m worth of lottery income for e fir ime i o al our members have raised a whopping £16m to support our air ambulance service – so a massive thank you from everyone here to all of you!

Running a complex charity like Devon Air Ambulance is an expensive business,

Night Vision Goggles £18000 Utility Vest £125

Flight Suit £239

so I thought I would share with yo st a few of the ways in which our members’ contribution through playing the lottery has helped support what we do.

We are really proud that our helicopters carry some of the best life-saving equipment in the business. Just two examples are an automatic chest compression machine for cardiac arrest patients and a vital signs monitor complete with Video Laryngoscope attachment - both of these

pieces of equipment improve outcomes for our patients but cost many thousands of pounds each.

Our crew also have to wear a a iety of e y spe ifi clothing and equipment, such as specially designed flight s its boots a kets and helmets – all tailored for safety and durability.

All this, and not forgetting our Ambrose bears! These chaps are worth their weight in gold in helping our crew look after some of our

Helmet £1800 Hi-vis Jacket £300 Medical Bag £350 Boots £108

younger patients. They have become so collectable that many of our adult patients would also like one – but they are strictly for the little ones only!

You can see how our lottery members have played a vital part in supporting our operations in the past 16 years they a e making a signifi ant contribution to the £6.4 million we need every year to keep o two ai amb lan es flying and saving more and more patients. o

LOTTERY FACTS On average, 75p in the £1 is donated to the Charity ro each e er hip with the remainder covering prizes and overheads.

JOIN OUR LOTTERY

i

We currently have around 39,000 members playing weekly, could you help us reach 40,000 y pled i u t per ee t a ea y a d e ecti e ay or people acro e o to upport our or hile ha i the e cite e t o o i they ca i a reat ca h pri e e ery ee – to oi our lottery i ply co plete a d retur the or o erlea or i it www.daat.org/lottery

Lottery Membership Application The sum of (tick one box only)

DAATLottery Lottery Offi Office, SandpiperCourt, Court,Harrington HarringtonLane, Lane,Exeter ExeterEX4 EX48NS 4NS DAAT ce, 55 Sandpiper The address is all is youallneed us by post.us by post.

Thepostal above postalabove address youwhen needcontacting when contacting Staff I/D Number

HP4/18 HP1116

Your Details

1 Chance Number £4.34 Monthly

2 Chances Numbers £8.68 Monthly

£13.00

Quarterly

£26.00

Quarterly

£52 £26.00

Annually Six Monthly

£104 £52.00

Annually Six Monthly

£52.00 Please Annually note your

£104.00will Annually first payment be £5 per number

For Official Use Only

Official Use Only

Payments to be paid on either 6th 20th of each month First payment due immediately andorthereafter on 6th or 20th of each month.

PLEASE COMPLETE IN FULL - BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS

Mr / Mrs / Miss / Other

Instruction to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the form and send to: PSL re DAAT Lottery Office, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter EX4 8NS.

First Name Surname

Name and full postal address of your bank or building society

Date of Birth

To: The M anager

Address

Service user number 4

4

2

2

7

6

B a n k / b u ild in g s o c ie t y

Address

Postcode

Postcode Telephone

N ame(s) of account holder(s)

Email I Confirm I am 16 yrs of age or over

B ranch sort code

Cheque Payment - Amount Received £..................

For

B ank/ building society account number

entries @ £1 per week per entry

Lottery promoted by Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Devon Air Ambulance Trust is licensed by the Gambling Commission, Number 000-0005032-N-308657-001.

Responsible person: C. Creer www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk Please gamble responsibly. For advice visit www.gambleaware.co.uk DAAT is a member of the Lotteries Council and is committed to promoting a responsible approach to gambling.

Contact us at : T: 01392 469 886 E: lottery@daat.org www.daat.org

Administration Office: DAAT Lottery Office, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter EX4 8NS. You will shortly receive a letter from us showing your lucky number/s.

There is no need to claim as all prizes are paid automatically.

All proceeds go to support the Devon Air Ambulance Trust Charity No 1077998. Your subscription is greatly appreciated. In 2017 it cost £6.4 million to keep both helicopters flying. We receive no funding from either the Government or the National Lottery. We rely on your support, to help us to continue our essential lifesaving service.

Results are printed in the Plymouth & Devon Sunday Independent and published every Friday afternoon on our website at www.daat.org.

Thank you for your support - you are truly making a difference.

I nstruction to your bank or building society Please pay Devon Air Ambulance Trust Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with The Air Ambulance Lottery Society and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.

Signature(s)

Date

• All customer funds intended for the use in future gambling and or lottery subscriptions will be held in a separate bank account or accounts relating to the relevant affiliated charity lottery and will be completely separate from the Charity’s trading income.

• We are required by our licence to inform customers about what happens to funds which we hold on account for you, and the extent to which funds are protected in the event of insolvency. www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/consumers/protection-of-customer-funds.aspx We hold customer funds separate from Charity’s funds. This means that steps have been taken to protect customer funds but that there is no absolute guarantee that all funds will be repaid. This meets the Gambling Commission’s requirements for the segregation of customer funds at the level: medium protection.

• The licensee operates a strict no ‘cash policy’ to prevent the risk of crimes such as money laundering, to avoid the giving of illicit credit and to provide assurances that gambling activities are being conducted fairly.

Banks and building societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.

By signing this form you agree to the lottery terms and conditions. For a copy of the terms and conditions please call 01392 469886.

This Guarantee should be retained by the payer.

The Direct Debit Guarantee This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit PSL re DAAT Lottery will notify you 5 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request The PSL re DAAT Lottery to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by PSL re DAAT Lottery or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society – If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when PSL re DAAT Lottery asks you to.

You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

DAA would like to keep you informed about our work, how your support has helped keep our helicopters in the air and how you can be involved in the future. We take the protection of your personal information very seriously and don’t share your data with any third party.

If you would like to hear from us, please tick the relevant boxes below: Please contact me by email

Please contact me by post

Please contact me by text

To read our Supporter Promise: www.daat.org/supporter-promise email us at fundraising@daat.org or ring 01392 466666

spring 2018 | RETAIL

23

Perfect Past Times

Our new Vintage & Variety Shop in Dartmouth vintage vintid



noun noun: vintage; plural noun: vintages 1. of high quality and lasting value, showing the best characteristics of a previous era

I

f you thought all charity shops were the same – think again!

The latest addition to Devon Air Ambulance’s retail portfolio has been painstakingly styled - with its washed oak floo ing dist essed painted woodwo k stylish lighting and retro colour scheme – to create a fantastically fashionable Vintage and Variety shop in mith t eet nea Dartmouth’s harbourside.

Even as we were in the middle of o emodelling many local businesses and residents contacted the charity to compliment us on our bold new vision for this very special shop. During the planning stage etail pe ations anage h issie eel spent time making s e the styling was just right. She

looked at other businesses in Dartmouth and did lots of online esea h pa tly to get ideas but also to make sure that the new shop was a pe fe t fit fo the town a tmo th is a hi ib ant town that att a ts a lot of isito s and they and esidents alike ha e ome to e pe t a unique and individual shopping e pe ien e said h isse eally wanted o shop to pe fe tly fit the intage and a iety theme but it was also important to me that it complimented the town as a whole “Our customer comments book is already brimming with positi e feedba k added h issie it wo ld seem we ha e ti ked all the bo es our lovely shop is already a m st see’ in the town he shop was o ially opened on the 10th February

Customer Comments .....

What a beautiful shop! Manages to display old beautiful things with the respect they deserve!

A veritable Treasure Trove!

I could spend all day in here – very welcoming, talented staff.

Absolutely beautiful, I will definitely be back. So pleased Dartmouth has such a wonderful treasure!

A lovely experience, will be a regular visitor.

Best charity shop ever!

and we were delighted that ob a kie o afety Manager - and pilot for DAA fo o e yea s o ially cut the ribbon and declared us ‘open for business’. As well as the support of many local people and businesses on the day we we e also hono ed that the own ie ame along in all his fine y to o e us his support.

The shop sells a wide array of p od ts f om intage toys and

to receive donations of any items with a suitable vintage o et o theme said shop manage im a ie easey “but we are also very happy to accept donations of any regular stock which we will be delighted to pass to our other shops to sell The shop is open Monday to at day am to pm with occasional Sunday and Bank Holiday opening too - visit the shops dedicated

games hina and glasswa e ladies fashion and a esso ies paintings and a variety of eclectic and distinctive decorative items. Stock for the shop is sourced from the donations received in our 18 charity shops across Devon.

“We would be delighted

Facebook page to check on opening times and also take o i t al to ’ im a ie assistant manage Naomi and their dedicated group of volunteers would love to see you and hear what you think about the new shop.

THINKING OF VOLUNTEERING?

i

Would you like to volunteer for Devon Air Ambulance?

We always need volunteers to help in our shops – it is a g eat way to meet people o lea n new skills while doing something incredible for the local community. Your support and help means we can raise even more money to keep o two heli opte s flying e e y day sa ing mo e li es f yo a e inte ested in ol ntee ing at any of o shops – or in any of our other volunteer roles – please contact ol ntee anage a a ones at ones daat o g

24

helipad | www.daat.org

Bring a splash of colour to the shadiest of corners...

One of the joys of spring is visiting a woodland garden, and many of the plants you might see there grow just as successfully in shady spots in our own gardens.

F

or dry shade, try Alchemilla mollis; the leaves hold raindrops like jewels and its fresh, limeree o er i a ear from May to August, are e l i oral arra eme It spreads well but just remember to weed out the plants you don’t want while e are mall Bergenia ill i a ol a shade, and the deeper pink forms give a good splash of olo r rom ar o a Epimediums have many i ere o er olo r i appear in late spring and are best seen if the old leaves are o e ro i earl ri e e are ollo e

glorious fresh green foliage, o e i e i o er or red in early summer, rea i e e ro o er Geranium macrorrhizum and G. phaeum ‘Album’ are two relia le mmer o eri ere ial e i e o er of the latter add highlight to a a o For moist shade under deciduous trees and shrubs try Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ with its clumps of silvery, heart-shaped foliage and light sprays of forget-me-not blue flowe s Lathyrus vernus, a p etty la ge flowe ed vetch, glorious Trillium and the charming Anemone x

lipsiensis ‘Pallida’. All will flowe in pa tial shade and to create a delightful display, why not plant some white and pale yellow da odils between them this autumn.

Cover up any dying foliage with ferns, and Tiarella ‘Sugar and Spice,’ or ‘Spring Symphony’, which establishes and spreads well, thrives in the coolness of the shade and forms a frothy carpet of pink-tinged o eam flowe s talle herbaceous perennial which also enjoys these conditions is Maianthemum racemosum.

Plant near a path to enjoy its s ented flowe s in ay In late summer, if your soil

is moist with plenty of wellrotted compost in it, Gentiana asclepiadea will wow you with its i h bl e flowe s (there are also white and pink fo ms ost gentians a e fussy about soil, but not this one, the arching leaf stems can reach 3ft (90cm) on an established plant and the p ight flowe s g ow along thei lengths in f ll flowe it will draw many admiring glances.

Some of these plants also grow in full sun, but do particularly well in full to part-shade, so don’t ignore or despise that darker corner, see it as an opportunity to grow new plants. o

Brunnera macrophylla a ro

spring 2018 | GARDENS Maianthemum racemosum

Tiarella ‘Sugar and

Alchemilla mollis

Gentiana asclepiadea

Advice Line

Geranium phaeum l m

April - start feeding your citrus plants, and

roses – good garden centres sell ready-made feed bottles.

May – dig up and split overcrowded old clu mps of daffodils which are not flowering so well and replant singly, or in smaller clu mps.

June/July – keep ponds clean by regularly scooping out the algae and debris. Pinch out tomato sideshoots to concentrate the plant’s energy into the main stem and fruiting trusses.

GARDENS Profile: Sarah Chesters - Education and Learning manager at RHS Rosemoor Don’t miss Sarah’s monthly gardening advice slot on: The Janet Kipling Show, every second Thursday of the month, on BBC Radio Devon, 3 – 4pm

Lathyrus vernus,

Trillium

i e

Anemone x lipsiensis ‘Pallida’

25

26

helipad | www.daat.org

Myths,Ghosts Ghostsand and Legends oF Myths,

Our country is rich in history and heritage, attracting visitors from across the globe to discover and enjoy its treasures. It is also rich in myth, legend and folklore and nowhere more so than the County of Devon.

Tales of Dartmoor Sir Arthur Conan Doyle captured the public’s imagination with his book ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’, conjuring the eerie threat of Dartmoor’s Grimpen Mire, a liquid peat death trap. This deadly bog is thought to have been inspired by real swampy land around Fox Tor near Princeton which can be as dangerous for the unprepared walker in reality as well as in fi tion Nearby is a stone cross marking the tomb of Childe the Hunter; a Saxon Lord who is said to have frozen to death despite disembowelling his horse and sheltering in its carcass against the cold. The Fox Tor mires and Childe the Hunter’s fate are stark

reminders not to take a walk on the moors without proper preparation.

One favourite story from the mires is that of a young lad who came across a top hat in the middle of a peat bog. Too good a prize to miss, he gingerly navigated his way to it and was taken aback when he discovered a head beneath the hat – and a talking head at that. The young lad started to pull the submerged gentleman from his sticky predicament but found him immovable. “I wonder if you would wait a moment,” said the gentleman, “while I take my feet out of the stirrups of my horse that I am sat on.”

Perhaps, the most famous of Dartmoor legends is that of Jay’s Grave, the last resting place of an 18th century suicide victim who was buried, as was the custom, at crossroads. Kitty Jay’s grave near Hound Tor on the moor entered the realms of legend afte f esh flowe s sta ted to be placed there every day although no one knows who puts them there.

Ghosties and Ghoulies There are also plenty of ghosts walking the bars of Devon pubs. Blackhatted ‘Harry’ only visits the old parts of the Old Inn at Widecombe in the Moor and is known to throw things around if he becomes upset. Mary Whidden was shot by a jealous lover on her wedding day in 1641 and has been seen walking through walls or standing at the bar in the Three Crowns,

Chagford, a pub that was her former family home.

It’s not known whether she has ever bumped into Sir Sidney Godolphin, a Civil War oyalist e who was shot and died in the porch of the Three Crowns in 1643 and can be heard marching along the corridors.

The Warren House Inn near Postridge is most famous for its fire that has continuously burned since 1845 and even survived being transferred from the original old building across the road to the new.

However, a presence can be felt there but no one knows for sure who it might be - is it a miner from the nearby tin mine who was killed in a drunken brawl or is it William Toop Stephens, a previous landlord who shot himself at the bar in 1929?

There are many more ghosts to meet in houses and pubs across Devon – you just have to go and look for them!

spring 2018 | DEVON FOLKLORE

The Green Men of Devon Dating from pagan times, when worship of trees and woodlands was the focus of religion, the Green Man symbolised nature and the image of roots and leaves sprouting from his mouth, nose and eyes were incorporated into many medieval churches. No one really knows why but it could be that close-knit communities of craftsmen we e nwilling to t o links to their past – just in case!

The presence of Green Men is especially prevalent

in Devon where, according to Paul White’s splendid booklet ‘The A to Z of Devon’, he claims that 87 of Devon’s churches have Green Man carvings looking down on the congregation.

There are 30 examples in Exeter Cathedral alone!

This type of paganism is linked to many small hamlets and settlements named Nymet or Nympton, Celtic words for sacred grove. In fact, the pub at Kings Nympton in Mid Devon is called The Grove. The Green Man today is most associated with May Day eleb ations and the fig e of Jack-in-the-Green.

Piskies, Pixies & ‘Knockers’ Tales of mischievous little people, some helpful to humans, others not so, have pervaded folklore for centuries but it is in Devon and Cornwall where the belief in all things sprite-like have lingered longest.

One such legend is of the ‘Knockers’, small goblins

The Meddlesome Priest Lapford in Mid Devon is said to be haunted by the spirit of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas á Becket. On the anniversary of the Primate of all England’s

These are just a few of the hundreds of Devon myths and legends. Many can be taken with a pinch of salt but, such is our rich oral history, you never know if there is more than

27

murder on the 29th December 1170 in Canterbury Cathedral, he is said to gallop through the village on horseback on his way to confront Sir William de Tracey, of nearby Nymet Tracy, who was one of the four murdering knights that day.

a grain of truth in some of these spooky goings-on!

Why not get out and about in this fabulous county and visit some of these spine-chilling locations for yourself!

who lived in tunnels guiding miners to the best seams and warning them about danger in the tunnels ahead or leading them up dead ends and into collapsed roofs – all depending on whether they liked you or not.

They would announce their presence by thumping their feet on the ground to lead the miners around. Much more prosaically, the noises

are actually believed to be the result of air pockets.

This is only one example of long-held beliefs in little people inhabiting the county. There are others of child-stealing fairies and spiteful piskies and a tradition of leaving food and drink out to keep them on your side. Perhaps it’s the piskies who are tending Jay’s Grave!

28

helipad | www.daat.org

Not the sort of ‘Spring Break’ brave Dylan wanted!

On Sunday 7th May last year, 9 year old Dylan Rooks-Haste was visiting his dad on the farm. Unfortunately, the weekend took a terrible turn when Dylan had an accident and broke his leg. Dylan’s mum, Julie, takes up the story...

I

was at home on Sunday afternoon when I had a phone call to say that Dylan had been involved in an accident on the farm and an ambulance had been called. Thankfully, I was only a few miles away so I jumped in the car and got there in less than ten minutes.

To my amazement and relief, the air ambulance was already o eri a o e e fiel ere the accident had happened.

I could quickly tell that Dylan’s leg was very badly damaged but he was conscious and relatively calm, probably in shock. Other family and friends were there too o e ing s ppo t and assistance. Someone was helping to move the cattle that we e in the field so the helicopter could land close by.

The paramedics were soon on the ground, taking control and assessing the situation.

They administered pain relief, attached monitors and b iefly e amined and d essed Dylan’s wounds.

While they were making him ready to board the helicopter the pilot, Captain Damian Irving, took me aside and e plained what wo ld happen ne t how wo ld be seated ne t to ylan and have headphones with a microphone so that I could hear what the crew where saying and ask questions if necessary. They made the de ision to fly di e tly to Bristol Hospital and not to our local hospital at Barnstaple. hey e plained that with the severity of Dylan’s injuries, it would save vital time and get him to the best hospital in terms of facilities and

surgeons to treat his injuries. he flight took a o nd 45 minutes and it was a beautiful, clear, sunny day, although neither of us were in a fit state to app e iate it he paramedics were constantly checking on Dylan’s condition while also relaying information ahead to the hospital.

On arrival on the roof of Bristol oyal nfi ma y we pa sed momentarily to let Dylan look over the side of his trolley to see the view of the city below.

We were joined there by a hospital worker who escorted us down through the main hospital and across to the Children’s Hospital. On the way one of the paramedics e plained how it o ld be ite overwhelming entering the triage area due to the sheer n mbe of sta that wo ld be waiting for us. I was glad of the forewarning because it was truly shocking when the doors opened to a bustle of do to s n ses and othe sta all focused on giving Dylan the care he needed.

As I stood amidst all the noise and activity trying to comfort my son, who was by now quite upset and in considerable pain, I glanced around the room. One of the crew, standing by the door, gave me a reassuring smile that said ‘stay strong, he’s in good hands’ he ne t time looked up they were gone.

Dylan had broken his lower leg and needed two metal plates to pin it back together.

After a 10 day stay in hospital and 11 hours of surgery, Dylan was able to come home to recuperate, although he had to spend many months in a

wheelchair and on crutches, and had to undergo a skin transplant. I contacted Devon Air Ambulance because we wanted to thank our amazing paramedics and had no idea who they we e was s p ised to learn that the crew very rarely get to hear of how these cases end, and often have no way of knowing what happens to their patients, unless people make contact afterwards.

We were pleased to be able to say ‘thank you’ to pilot

Damian, Paramedics Nick at li and le ande s Page and dispatcher Sarah Watson. This is a truly valuable service and we were so glad they were there to help Dylan when he needed them the most”.

Helipad is delighted to learn that, nearly 12 months on, Dylan is making great progress and has even been allowed to start cycling and swimming again. He has also e ently taken p gby o

“ After a 10 day stay in hospital and 11 hours of surgery, Dylan was able to come home ”

spring 2018 | DEVON PEOPLE

29

All the world’s a stage...

Aidan Milford is a young man from Exeter with a passion for acting and the performing arts. Helipad gets the low down on his ultimate dream job, his advice to other young performers and why it’s important to have a plan B! How old were you when you decided you wanted to become an actor? he e wasn’t eally a spe ifi age, I just remember always being interested in it. I think joining the performing arts college just made me more dete mined he fi st time I was put into an acting project, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

What did your mum and dad say when they found out you wanted to make a career out of acting?

They have both encouraged me to follow my dreams, and have been really supportive in letting me go to the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA) for the last couple of years.

Do the performing arts run in your family?

Well, my mum did a bit of amateur dramatics when she was younger and she has always worked in public relations, so has done a lot of TV interviews!

What do you think you have gained from attending a

performing arts college?

PQA has been really good at teaching us all a range of skills such as singing, dancing and drama, and a lot about tele ision and film How does the performing arts college work?

I used to go for 3 hours every Saturday, but I’m just about to do my GCSEs so am concentrating on my studies for now. I’m planning on doing a full-time Performing Arts Diploma at Exeter College, and my ultimate aim would be to get into the National Youth Theatre.

What aspects of the performing arts do you like best?

It has been great learning about dancing, singing and everything connected with the performing arts, but my real passion is for acting.

Tell us about any productions you have been in?

My most memorable experience was appearing on the West End stage in a PQA musical called ‘Lazy Ace’. It was at the Shaftesbury

Theatre and I had one of the leading roles, which was great. We did a play at school called ‘Chat Room’ which we performed at the Bike Shed Theatre, and I’ve also acted in a o ple of st dent films

skills I have learned would really help me if this is what I ultimately do for a career.

Do you ever get nervous when you are acting in front of a lot of people?

I do get a bit nervous beforehand, but this seems to disappear as soon as I step foot on stage!

What would your advice be to any other young person who is interested in the performing arts?

If you really want to do it, just do it! Some people might question your life choices, and even make fun of you, but you just need to stay focused and determined to achieve your goal.

What would be your ultimate goal as an actor?

To earn a living by acting and never to do the same role twice. Perhaps be a versatile actor like David Tennant Dr Who one day, a bit of Shakespeare at The Globe the next!

“ I do get a bit nervous beforehand, but this seems to disappear as soon as I step foot on stage! ”

Acting is a notoriously difficult career path – do you have a plan B if it doesn’t work out?

I am going to do everything I can to make a career out of acting – but, if it doesn’t work out, I would like to follow my mum’s footsteps and go into public relations. I know the

30

helipad | www.daat.org

A walk around the Castle Hill Estate at Filleigh Averil Kingdon has been a shop manager for Devon Air Ambulance for over 12 years. s t e or ing mot er o t ree daug ters and ve grand-c ildren veril as little ree time but en s e does s e en oys dancing and singing veril also loves al ing and as someone born and bred in ort Devon s e ta es us on a very personal ourney around some of her favourite walks on the Castle Hill Estate.

T

’m very lucky to live in a beautiful area of North Devon and, with Exmoor only a few miles away, there are some amazing walks practically on my doorstep.

stop. Park opposite the old sawmill and wander passed the little picnic area, cross over the bridge and take the track which runs alongside the River Bray to the weir. Stop here fora

smell of wild garlic. You know that as you follow the track which winds gently upwards, following the river, birds, squirrels and lots of other wildlife are following your

Inn, which is about 300 yards to your left. If you continue walking with the houses on your right, you are soon back at your car.

If you want a slightly

By far, though, my favourite walks are in and around the Castle Hill Estate at Filleigh – where I was born and grew up. The present custodian is Lady Arran (or Miss Nell as we used to call her when we were children) and the estate has been the home of the Fortescue family for 15 generations. oyles ood’ is o fi st

while and take in the magic of your surroundings. Last year, while standing on the little footbridge, a sparrow-hawk flew ight by me with a poo pigeon in its beak!

Continue to walk up through the old woods - it’s so peaceful here. In spring, snowdrops and bluebells carpet the wood and, in the summer, there is a wonderful

every move! As the woods come to an end, you will see Elliott House in front of you. Turn right and a narrow lane takes you passed West Clatworthy, a lovely thatched cottage. When you reach the main road, go through ‘Stags Head’, a small collection of ‘olde worlde’ houses. If you have worked up a thirst, why not stop at the Stags Head

longer walk, instead of returning to your car you can turn left at Elliott House. As you walk down the slope, look up through the valley and you can see the viaduct that carries the traffic along the link road.

‘Shallowford’ is your next stop.

The house of the same name was the home of author Henry Williamson – who wrote ‘Salar

spring 2018 | DEVON WALK

31

WALK

Profile: Averil Kingdon Shop Manager Barnstaple With special thanks to Lady Arran, and Crystal and Marie in the Castle Hill Estate office for all their support. the Salmon’ and ‘Children of Shallowford’ - between 1929 and 1942. There is no access to the Deer Park here but, if you walk on along the road to the left and over the little hump back bridge, you may (on the right day in summer) be greeted by the age-old sound of leather on willow -Filleigh has always done well at village cricket! Take a left turn, back along Mill Road, to your car.

Drive up and park in the village hall next to Filleigh

surroundings.

Look across the road to a gate opposite the blue telephone kiosk. Take the path up the gradual slope through an avenue of trees until you reach the Triumphal Arch. The Arch was originally built in 1730 but fell into disrepair and eventually collapsed in 1952. Lady Margaret rebuilt the Arch in 1961 in memory of her parents. I think you will agree with me that the view from

remember seeing the dark ruins as a child. You can now make your way back down to your car the same way you ame p b t it’s definitely worth it for the views.

If you want a leisurely stroll, you can also walk the gardens of the main house, for which there’s a small entrance fee. From the time you enter the grounds, you are transported to another world. You can follow the paths randomly to your

A leisurely climb takes you up passed a statue of Pan, continuing through Sunset Wood to the faux castle which, as you look over the top of the house, is directly in line with the Triumphal Arch. The views here are simply breath-taking, and your children will love it!

Follow the path back down the hill, passing the statue of ‘Baccus’ in front of the house. If you are gasping for a cup of tea by this time,

Primary School (where I went to school!). Walk up to the eye-catching St Paul’s Church. The church was built on its present site in 1732 after the medieval church, next to the main house, was demolished in 1730. This is a very special place for me – both of my parents, and my brother, have their resting places in these beautiful

here is captivating.

If it’s not shooting season and there isn’t a wedding being held, why not sneak down and take a peek at the recently restored Holwell Temple. Erected in 1771 as a house, the Temple was actually lived in until just over a century ago when, unfortunately, it was dest oyed by fi e

heart’s content and will come across a variety of statues, follies, sun temples and even a faux castle, hidden among the beautifully kept gardens and swathes of magnifi ent trees. I love to make my way to the ‘Ugley Bridge’ and sit quietly in ‘Satyrs Temple’, just listening to the sounds of the birds and watching the swans float egally by on the i e

why not stop at the tea rooms, which are open from late March and through the summer season.

I hope you will enjoy these easy walks around one of the most beautiful estates in north Devon. You can easily spend a whole day enjoying the sights and sounds and, like me, come back time and time again.. o

32

helipad | www.daat.org

A Touch of

FROST Helipad’s Andy Bryan speaks to local jockey Bryony Frost to find out what it’s like being a rising star of racing and why supporting Devon Air Ambulance is so close to her heart

I

n the world of horse racing, Bryony Frost is fast becoming one of the hottest new talents out there.

Bryony is the daughter of the legendary horse racer Jimmy Frost, who won almost 500 races in a career spanning 30 year, and whose name is synonymous with West Country racing. Despite ha ing s h big shoes to fill she is keen to take up her dad’s mantle and, so far, her career is turning out to be a

stellar one!

Before her 16th birthday, she had won 50 pony races and, since turning professional in 2017, has a plethora of wins to her name, including the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Newbury, The Badger Ales at Wincanton and, in January 2018, the Betfair Classic Chase at Warwick. Bryony works out of Paul Nicholl’s yard and pundits and touts alike are calling her a rising star of racing.

It was after winning the Clydesdale Devon Day Race in support of Devon Air Ambulance that Bryony decided to donate her winnings to the charity.

Although a world away from the thoroughbred race horses she is used to riding, Bryony said “the Clydesdales are such fabulous horses and it was great fun. In comparison to racehorses everything happens a lot slower but, when they get going, you can

almost feel the earth move!”

As you would expect with such a famous racing father, all of Bryony’s family are mad about horses.

And it is because of this love of horse riding that her family have needed to call on the services of Devon Air Ambulance – twice!

Bryony’s eldest brother Dan had a fall when riding on Dartmoor. His horse had jumped a small ditch but stumbled on landing and

“ Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director said “DAA is extremely grateful for the continued support from Adventure Clydesdales, Devon and Cornwall Bookmakers and Exeter Racecourse - The Clydesdale Race is a fantastic fundraiser, which will Ethan on the mend be back again in November! ”

spring 2018 | PATIENTS

33

X

“ ro o ari e arrie a o a re th ew an o e was l ky that one of his friends riding with him that day was a do to who initially tho ght an had b oken his ibs and ste n m eing in the middle of a tmoo an’s f iends we e nde standably on e ned abo t him ha ing se io s in ies in a emote lo ation and many miles f om medi al help hey alled and waited a tmoo is a bea tif l pla e b t when the s n begins to set and the old sta ts to eep in being on the moo s an be a s a y pla e an was in a bad way and his f iends did e e ything they o ld to make s e hypothe mia didn’t set in L kily within a e y sho t time e on i mb lan e a i ed he lini al ew soon dis o e ed that an was in worse shape than his friends had o iginally tho ght and st ongly s spe ted he had a spinal in y ith s itable pain elief o sing th o gh his body an was now eady to be mo ed nfo t nately the pilot had to info m an that be a se of the en oa hing fog the heli opte had landed in a a pa k nea ado e

59%

of sports incidents are equestrian

o er

ere rai i e o mile

idge whi h was still some distan e f om whe e an was o his g eat fo t ne howe e a g o p of a ines who we e t aining on the moo nea by o e ed to help and a ied an on a st et he the two miles to the waiting heli opte to be ai lifted an e ent ally spent weeks in e ifo d ospital yony e alls it as being a e y s a y time fo s all’ b t despite on e ns abo t how m h damage had been done to his spine he made a f ll e o e y and is now as fit as a fiddle’ e says he will always be g atef l to all his es e s yony’s othe b othe adden also needed the se i es of e on i mb lan e following a t mble f om a ho se adden a p ofessional o key had a ho ible fall at the se ond last d ing a a e at ete a e o se e s e ed a on ssion so knew little abo t what followed b t d e to the angle he was lying pa amedi s on the s ene s spe ted he had also s stained a spinal in y yony des ibes the d i e to e ifo d ospital with he m m ikki as an

o o

e moor ear o ere o el a e ai i eli o er o e airli e ”

awf l o ney’ both of them te ified that anothe b othe had s e ed a potentially life hanging spinal in y s they a i ed at adden’s bedside the yo nge of the two b othe s was beginning to sti s he slowly ame a o nd yony lea ly emembe s him apologising fo wasting the time of the ai amb lan e and being a b den on the medi al team t was a g eat elief to all his family and f iends that afte being s anned and ayed he was de la ed inta t apa t f om a few b oken ibs fte adden had finished nne essa ily apologising he was able to go home to e pe ate ma ingly a few months late adden ode in the same a e in whi h he had s ffe ed his fall and won n yony won the toba t o key of the onth’ awa d in o embe and e embe and gene o sly donated half of he p i e to e on i mb lan e n esponse to he winning the o key of the onth awards she said “to win o key of the onth is

59% o e or i i e a e air am la e a e e i ere e e ria rela e

ama ing as it’s a g eat hono to be dged to ha e idden so well o ha e done it two months nning is e y spe ial s a o key yo know yo self whethe yo ha e idden well e en tho gh it may not ne essa ily be a winning ide always st i e to ide to the best of my ability in any g ade of a e and on any lass of ho se hen dismo nt need to know ha e gi en the ho se e e y han e to do well am e y l ky to be iding some ama ing ho ses and ha e wo ked ha d fo a long time to be a epted as a o key will ontin e to wo k ha d and hopef lly the han es to win and do well will keep oming am e y glad that ha e been able to s ppo t e on i mb lan e and will always be g atef l to how they attended both an and adden he dedi ation a e b a e y and skill the medi al teams and pilots show day in and day o t is to be p aised and we in e on a e e y p o d and thankf l to ha e them wat hing o e s o

7% o i i e a e e a o ire roa a e

34

helipad | www.daat.org

GOODBYE WINTER...

HELLO GREAT SPRING FLAVOURS! Well what a winter! Rain, gales, frost and snow, I think we’ve had it all. The ‘Beast from the East’ (twice!), Emma from the South. What next? Please don’t answer that!

I

t’s now time for us foodies to come out of our wintry hearty comfort food hibernation and embrace the new season bounding its way into our kitchens. p ing b ings the fi st temptations of the delicate produce that our ‘harsh’ winter conditions take a toll on he fi st aspa ag s spea s start to poke their heads above the ground, baby new potatoes, lightly steamed and given a good glazing of e on b tte o the finest spring lamb roasted with a little sea salt, carved pink and finished with a wild ga li pesto.

Fiery radishes, lightly pickled, are a joy - sweet, sour and peppery eaten as they are or with a chipotle chilli crème fraiche, delicious!

After the battering our coastal towns and villages have taken from Mother Nature over the winter, it’s time for her to give up her bounty, with lovely large plaice moving inshore and huge crabs full and heavy with sweet meat.

The last of the large line caught bass will be available.

Although expensive, if cooked properly those

fillets of sil e on a plate can’t help but bring a smile to any diner’s face. Cockles and mussels steamed with shallots, garlic and cider and served with mountains of crusty bread and butter are also amazing! he fi st of the ma ke el will start moving towards the shore and now is the time

it is bubbling and unctuous! f yo an find wild ga li use it as you would use spinach in a lovely quiche with some chicken and a touch of Devon Blue Cheese - bake until golden and serve with a glass of chilled Devon white wine.

The wild game season is

“ After the battering our coastal towns and villages have taken from Mother Nature over the winter, it’s time for her to give up her bounty ” to make the most of this st nning fish g illed f ied o smoked with a potato and chive salad on the side. Just right for a spring evening or beach barbecue.

How about a bowl of warming celeriac and t e so p with a few crispy bacon pieces and o tons to take the hill o the early spring nights. Or perhaps a tasty alternative to a liflowe heese se some tender stem or purple sprouting broccoli with a sauce made from hard goats cheese, topped with herb breadcrumbs and then finished nde a hot g ill ntil

over now but don’t forget that pigeon is around all year and, as a dark meat, an take some hefty fla o s and spices. Try making some quick pigeon fajitas or a spicy curry to warm up your foodie soul.

Now for dessert - why not try a lovely rhubarb and frangipane tart or, as the soft fruits will be appearing towards the end of spring, try poaching some gooseberries with a little vanilla and sugar, serve with Greek yoghurt and some toasted almonds as a simple, quick and extremely moorish pud. And remember, it won’t be long ntil the fi st

Tamar Valley strawberries are available. I can smell their aroma wafting through the kitchen as they are delivered, just waiting for a large dollop of clotted cream. Let’s hope sp ing has definitely sp ng and summer is just around the corner!

Of course, spring won’t be spring without lamb! Why not b sh the snow o the barbie, marinade the leg steaks in oriental spices, and get cooking! Alternatively, try my fantastic lamb rosette recipe, combined with risotto to make a lovely warming and simple dish for a chilly spring evening. o

spring 2018 | FOOD & DRINK

e o am o e e i arameli e io o emar a oa ee e i o o Serves 4 lar e lam ro e e a o r i o a

e

er o e e or o em rea re are

ml e e a le oil oli e oil m al e er lar e o io li e fi el o e re ro emar m ar aroli or r orio ri e lr o i e o ml ie i e m Parme a e ia a l om e oa ee e o e ar le al ami la e o fi i al a e er

e o : ea o ea Pla e ea o e e li e emo e ea

35

e e e a le oil i a r i a ea o e lam i e er a eal i e or mi e ma i re a e a a ee ro erl oo e e ro e e i a o o e a or mi e emo e rom e o e i al a lea e o re o a arm la e ame r i a ea al e oli e oil a mo er il oami o io a ro emar a oo e l il li l arameli e a o rom e a a lea e o o e i e e remai i oil a o e er i a ea a e a e ri e a ir or o e mi e il e rai are li e i a oa e e i e i ea le e l il e li i re e a o o ir ar a i e o o a la le a a ime irri o a l a ai i or ea la le ll o o o e a or e e ore a i a o er o i e a i e o i i ma er il e ri o o i oo e al e e emo e rom e ea ir e remai i er a Parme a i o e ri o o a ea o o a e e a e ar le a arameli e o io o e ri o o a r m le i e oa ee e ir e l o a oi rea i e ee e oo m i i e e ri o o o o o r arm la e or o l a o ea i a lam ro e e oa a e o ri le i a al ami la e o a e i rom e e iali ai le i mo ermar e a i oe o ell i oa ee e

FOOD & DRINK Profile: Richard Hunt - Chef Devon born and bred, Richard Hunt, consultant Chef and culinary judge has worked in renowned restaurants and hotels across the UK and in Europe and is now proprietor of the Devon Scone Company

36

helipad | www.daat.org

Sculpting Seafarers and Sirens Miranda at the mouth of the River Dart

Helipad Guest Editor, Ali Simpson, meets Brixham-based sculptor and designer lisabet adley to nd out at inspires er and o s e came to create t o o t e south Devon coast’s most iconic sculptures

E

lisabeth, like world famous British sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, was born in Yorkshire. As a small child, she had a hankering to be a stand-up comedian but, despite a propensity to make people laugh, it was her natural gift for art that was nurtured and encouraged by her family.

After studying for a degree in Ceramics at Bristol Polytechnic, Elisabeth spent a year with Aardman Animations – the Oscarwinning stop-motion creators of Wallace and Gromit – as a freelance model maker.

She worked on a number of commercials for television, including Lurpak and Cadbury’s Crème Eggs. As

a result of working with Aardman, Elisabeth was also asked to be the voice of Wendy in ‘Rex the Runt’, a series of short animated films fo hannel abo t the ad ent es of a flat p ple dog and his friends!

Despite enjoying her time at Aardman, Elisabeth knew what she really wanted was to be a sculptor in her own right. From the earliest days of her study at Bristol, it was apparent to everyone that she had a real talent for accurately capturing all the character, emotion and movement of the human form. During three further years of study at the Sir Henry Doulton School of lpt e in ta o dshi e she honed this talent and

also learned a lot more about traditional sculpting techniques, from the fundamentals of life drawing and anatomy to practical skills like mould-making.

In 1997, Elisabeth made the move down to Brixham.

Being close to the sea not only gave Elisabeth inspiration for her art, it also gave her the chance to indulge in another of her passions - sea kayaking.

While she looked to establish herself as a sculptor, she also taught sculpture at a number of local colleges and workshops, something she still does today.

Elisabeth’s current studio in Horsepool Street is a wonderful Aladdin’s Cave, full of pieces of work in progress,

maquettes (from the French for ‘scale model’) and a jumble of armature, the steel frames around which a fullscale sculpture is modelled.

In 2005, Elisabeth was commissioned to create a life-sized mermaid, which was cast in bronze and now sits on a private jetty at the mouth of the River Dart. Elisabeth’s mermaid – christened “Miranda” –quickly became a local landmark and is now a ‘must see’ for anyone visiting Dartmouth.

Probably Elisabeth’s most well known, and best loved, local sculpture is ‘Man and Boy’, a monumental public b on e of two fishe men at the wheel of their boat, which is located on the harbourside at Brixham. The piece, which

sp ing is 10% bigger than life size, was o ially n eiled in he s lpt e is not only wonde f lly e o ati e of man’s st ggle with the sea b t ommemo ates the li es of all fishe men lost in this most dange o s of p ofessions as well as eleb ating i ham’s i h omme ial fishing he itage lisabeth e plains got my initial inspi ation fo the omposition f om an old et hing by a talented ma itime a tist who li ed in i ham befo e his death in the s t then took me abo t months to model the s lpt e and anothe months to make the mo ld e all it was a e y long p o ess abo t yea s f om the initial idea th o gh the f nd aising p o ess to when the finished pie e was fi st seen by the p bli Lots of people s ppo t me when am eating a pie e like this my good f iend ete t ide helped me th o gho t the p o e t f om standing in as a life model asting of the pie es that we e a tioned o to aise f nds so ing mate ials welding and helping me with the e y messy and smelly ob of mo lding the s lpt e hen look ba k on it the one thing that eally ama es me is how managed to wo k on this h ge pie e in my tiny st dio do feel in edibly p o d to ha e eated s h a fitting s lpt e fo i ham added lisabeth s well as he s lpt e o e the yea s lisabeth has also fo nd s ess in design wo k he designed a t ophy fo po ts e sonality o th est and one of he pie es was sed as the basis fo a medallion to p omote the o ld ildlife nd lisabeth finds inspi ation in many people pla es and ideas he has a small well th mbed lib a y of efe en e books and photos and has also t a eled widely these infl en es an be seen in

he bea tif l fl id s lpt es of f i an fig es as well as he wonde f lly st iking depi tions of ha a te s f om mythology lisabeth e plained hen ha e an idea fo a s lpt e don’t s ally make a sket h fi st st pi k p some lay and sta t to make a model st aight f om my imagination ently lisabeth is p tting the finishing to hes to a life si ed e ian’ fig e whi h will fo m the ente pie e of a wate feat e and has e ently modelled a ma ette of i obby oo e whi h she will be s bmitting in the hope of winning a ommission to p od e a la ge than life si e stat e of the legenda y footballer in his home town of a king s well as taking p i ate ommissions lisabeth’s limited edition b on es an be fo nd in a n mbe of lo al galle ies ind o t mo e abo t he wo k at www hadleys lpt es o k o

DEVON PEOPLE

37

Elisabeth in her studio during the early stages of Man and Boy

“ When I have an idea for a sculpture, don t usually ma e a s etc rst ust pick up some clay and start to make a model straight from my imagination ”

Man & Boy on the harbour promenade at Brixham

38

helipad | www.daat.org

Business On Board! usinesses large and small o er t eir support to D in a variety o ays you ould li e to discuss ays in ic your team or company could get involved please email our undraising anager Tracy at t o en daat org or call British Ceramic Tile Supported us in 2017 and continue to do so in 2018. Not only did they take part in our 2017 Dragon Boat Festival but, after having so much fun, they have already entered a team for this year’s event. They also presented the charity with a Lego sculpture called Collaborate, having worked in collaboration with brick artist Dave Hughes, who pieced together approximately 12,000 Lego pieces. We loved the sculpture so much that it is now in our reception!

Eaton Ltd DAA was given the opportunity to apply for a grant from Eaton’s Charitable Foundation. After a lot of hard work on both sides, we were awarded a grant of just under £12,000! This will provide lighting at our Eaglescott airbase, not far from Eaton’s offices in North Devon. Also, Andrew Thorne their Manufacturing Engineer won the Aerospace Stover Award and donated his winnings of $2,500 (£1,928) to DAA.

Chepstow Construction Although based in South Wales their Sales Manager, Ian Whiting, lives in Devon and it was his choice to support Devon Air Ambulance.

In 2017 they raised £583 which they wanted to go towards helping the crew with some new uniform!

Otter Garden Centres Two of their Devon sites, Ottery St Mary and Paignton, supported us throughout 2017 as their chosen Charity and both branches did amazingly well! From a fantastic variety of fundraising activities, Ottery raised £7,561.27 and Paignton raised an amazing £4,470. We are delighted that they have also decided to continue their support in 2018 too! .

spring 2018 | BUSINESS ON BOARD

Devon and Cornwall Housing, now known as Liverty As well as various fundraising activities they also decided as a team-building exercise to take part in our 2017 Dragon Boat Festival plus various in-house events from both their Plymouth and Exeter offices. They have successfully raised over £2,400!

Cornish Mutual Supporting both Devon’s and Cornwall’s Air Ambulances throughout 2016 and 2017. Staff at their Uffculme office presented our Fundraising Manager, Tracy Owen, with a cheque for £736.66 from their 2017 fundraising efforts. In total they have raised just under £2,500!

39

Bradfords Building Supplies At their Honiton Branch, the Credit Control department decided to support us by organising a “dress down day” every fortnight during 2017. They were chuffed to bits to have raised £260!.

Vapormatic After a staff vote, Devon Air Ambulance was the unanimous choice to be their charity for 2017.

Their staff was really engaged with raising funds for us from holding a sponsored 5-a-side football match, creating ‘donation stations’, raffles, a Summer BBQ, coffee morning, you name it they did it! We were delighted that they were able to present DAA with a cheque of £4,589.03.

Darts Farm Darts Farm also raised over £1,500 from their creative Maize Maze, cleverly designed to celebrate our 25th anniversary – can you spot the helicopter?

The Butchers at Darts Farm Alastair David from The Butchers at Darts Farm purchased the millionth lamb sold by Kivells at Exeter Livestock Centre.

After hearty bidding, Alastair purchased the lamb for £230, with Kivells matching the sum in a donation to the Devon Air Ambulance. Amazing!

League of Friends Following the closure of the in-patient beds at Moretonhampstead Hospital, the Trustees of the League of Friends made a generous donation of £35,272.72 – which is earmarked to purchase three Transport Ventilators for helicopters.

MAKE DAAT YOUR CHOSEN CHARITY

helipad | www.daat.org

40

Enhancing access at a Community Landing Site Toby Russell Community Landing Sites Development Officer e plains y good ve icle and pedestrian access at our community landing sites is so important it operational nig t landing sites and a urt er sites in development a ma or part o Toby s or involves elping communities consider o to improve and manage access and o D can support t em it grant unding

D

uring our work with each community to help establish their night landing site, we always have to consider the suitability of access to and from the site – will the land ambulance crew be able to locate the site and park nearby, how easily a patient can be transferred to the helicopter and how our medical teams can leave a site on foot if going to a patient in the community.

If we can make sure landbased emergency services and i mb lan e sta an a y o t thei obs e iently and safely, it will enable patients to be treated and conveyed to hospital as quickly as possible while minimising the risk to those working in the dark. I tend to start by looking at vehicle parking. Ideally, a site will

ha e o oad ehi le pa king nearby, with enough room for a land ambulance to arrive at the site, turn, park and lower the ramp onto hard standing.

I then walk through how a patient might be stretchered from the land ambulance to the waiting aircraft – are there gates or steps? is there an obvious path? is the path wide enough for a stretcher plus people carrying it? what sort of material is the path made of and are there any obstacles or hazards for pedestrians? Some landing sites, in particular those located in parks, have multiple footpaths and access points which lead in di e ent di e tions e assess and record these features so that paramedics can utilise the quickest route if running to a patient in the community.

Before

After

Ultimately, if we identify problems with access then we work with local people to devise practical solutions that will meet the site’s dayto-day use, plus that needed for (hopefully infrequent) emergency needs. In the case of the landing site at Palstone Park in South Brent, there was no path from the car park to the landing area, just a rough worn grass slope that was slippery after rainfall. A project between South Brent Parish Council and South Brent Recreation Association, supported by grant funding from DAA, has seen a new access path installed which means patients can be wheeled on a stretcher from a land ambulance to within a short distance of where the Air Ambulance would land at night. o

Managing access at night landing sites - some key points...

Vehicle parking or hardstanding nearby is important so that a patient can easily be transferred from a land ambulance to the Air Ambulance. e look at paths o othe a ess o tes that medi al sta wo ld se to mo e to f om a site o t ansfe a patient ha d flat s fa es a e safe easie to wheel o a y a patient o e Given the remote locations of landing sites, it might be helpful to install low level lighting or path lighting (also operated remotely) to illuminate access points.

Gates and other access points to landing sites can still be locked for security but, if a combination lock is used, we can have the code to gain access when needed. ha e g ants f om the L bank fines that an help omm nities imp o e a might include gateways, paths, vehicle hardstanding etc.

ess at landing sites this

Once operational, it’s easy for communities to temporarily close a site if used for an event, car parking, marquees et by onta ting by phone email

spring 2018 | NIGHT FLYING

41

COMMUNITY LANDING SITES Profile: Toby Russell - Community Landing Sites Development Officer Email: t.russell@daat.org oby oined s in with a b ief to wo k with lo al omm nities to establish a o nty wide netwo k of night landing sites o find o t mo e abo t his wo k and how yo community can get involved visit www.daat.org.

case study

Blackawton community landing site ready for night operations

The village of Blackawton in the South Hams has recently celebrated the launch of their night landing site and Steve Thomas, who helped coordinate the project and galvanise local support, has provided an overview of how the community went about developing their site: 1st January 2017 – a New Year’s Day party somewhe e in la kawton ime to make esol tions and in oyo s spi it p bli ly committed to have a DAA night landing site ope ational in the illage by yea end he e to sta t phone all to ’s oby ssell omm nity Landing ites e provided the answer. First, we needed to find a s itable site ent ally lo ated with good access for the emergency services, at least m m easonably le el f ee f om obst tions and ideally with an e isting power supply.

From ten potential sites proposed for review by oby and the afety anage only two p o ed s itable inally we settled pon the illage omm nity field e y fitting altho gh si teen apple t ees o pied the only flat a ea of the field ime fo diploma y and negotiation e mission was so ght f om the landowne to use the site, uproot the trees and install the lighting mast. A power supply from the adjacent village hall was negotiated with the hall committee and the allotments association were persuaded to give up some land and mo e thei bo nda y fen e ll now seemed possible b t how wo ld we f nd the p o e t he ost fo p o ision and installation of our landing lights was a little o e hen oby anno n ed that wo ld be able to f nd almost of this ost th o gh a g ant he la kawton International Festival of Wormcharming had also already pledged £1,000. But we still needed a o nd to ealise the p o e t his wasn’t going to happen o e night o so tho ght ntil went to the p b Discussing the shortfall with a local lady, she spontaneo sly o e ed to t n a fo th oming

“ Discussing the shortfall with a local lady, she spontaneously o e ed to t n a forthcoming horse ride on Dartmoor into a “sponsored” event. One horse ride later and, with the £2,080 she had raised, the funding gap was quickly filled ”

horse ride on Dartmoor into a “sponsored” event. One horse ride later and, with the £2,080 she had raised, the funding gap was i kly filled and by mid we o ld make things happen. he a ish o n il f lly engaged with the project – as applicant for the necessary planning application, client for the installation ont a t and a tho ised body to e ei e the DAA grant.

At the end of August, planning approval was e ei ed b t a ti ity was delayed ntil the apple op had been pi ked hen one at day mo ning in late tobe illage s with industrial diggers, chainsaws and wood chippers descended on the field and within the day had cleared the site entirely.

Installation and commissioning of the lighting mast was ompleted in mid e embe st a o ple of weeks ahead of my self imposed deadline ast fo wa d to n mid a h to eleb ate our new facility, and to thank everyone who had played a part in the project, we held an o ial opening and swit h on of the lights with oby in attendan e Not only do we now have a designated night landing site in the ent e of the illage b t also with the t ees emo ed a sable flat area for occasional community events in our field omplete with an additional handy power outlet adjacent to our night landing site lighting…plus we’ve now planted replacement f it t ees f the down the field n all a eso nding s ess fo la kawton “We were delighted to help celebrate the launch of the night landing site in Blackawton” explained Toby Russell “particularly as it was quite a complex challenge to get operational”. te e e ort i ri i the ariou community groups together was a major factor in getting the project adopted and this important work completed. It is a credit to the whole village however that so many people and community groups have got involved to ensure the landing site project has come to fruition”.

f yo wo ld like to find o t how yo an get in ol ed with de eloping yo lo al landing site please onta t o omm nity Landing ites e elopment e oby ssell on t.russell@daat.org or 07943 207673.

42

helipad | www.daat.org

Lottie’s a lot, lot better...

Young mum Amy Guscott has good reason to be grateful that Elmore AFC and Tiverton Town Council supported Devon Air Ambulance in establishing a community landing site at her local football ground, enabling the air ambulance to land after dark.

T

he mother of two girls, Evie aged six and three year-old Charlotte (Lottie), was making soup at her Tiverton home last November with the children running in and out of the kitchen. One of the girls was wearing a lanyard with a picture on it and, as she swung it backwards, it hooked on the jug of hot vegetable stock and ra e i o e o e hot stock splashed little Lottie on her right shoulder, her stomach and back.

Amy’s maternal instincts instantly kicked in. She recalled: “It took me a couple of seconds to realise what had happened. I took

Lottie’s top off and put her in the shower. My first instincts were to get a wet towel and wrap it round her. At the same time I was ringing 999 and the air ambulance was called.

“It was about half past five in the evening and dark. An ambulance arrived within

they have.

“Within 25 minutes, we had landed at Southmeads Hospital in Bristol and then transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital. The paramedics were fantastic.

They kept Lottie distracted by showing her cartoons on a mobile phone and they

“ The hot stock splashed little Lottie on her right shoulder, her stomach and back ” nine minutes and after another 10 minutes the air ambulance landed at Elmore Football Club. I didn’t know they had a night landing facility there but I’m so glad

helped to keep me calm as well!”

Amy was especially grateful that DAA paramedics, Dave Dungay and Lee Hilton, stayed with her and Lottie

Charlotte (Lottie) with mum Amy

throughout the transfer from Southmeads to Bristol Children’s Hospital.

She added: “There is no doubt that the speed that DAA got Lottie to hospital made a world of difference.

Exeter does not have a specialist burns unit so getting her quickly to the right treatment was also very important. It looked really bad at the time but Lottie has healed amazingly well.”

Lottie spent 13 days in hospital and had a small skin graft but has now been given the all clear. She adores her Ambrose Bear given to her by the DAA crew and is still talking about her flight in a helicopter. o

Night Time is Flight Time Lottie’s story is just one example of the benefits of making night time flight time and it helps to emphasise the tremendous support DAA has received from local communities around the county in establishing our growing number of community landing sites. In addition to paramedics Dave Dungay and Lee Hilton, Lottie’s mission was flown by pilot Howard Roe and was deployed by Lucinda Smith on the HEMS Desk.

Charlotte (Lottie) with mum Amy

spring 2018 | JUNIOR CREW

43

Junior Crew

Thank you once again to our fabulous young fundraisers, who continue to inspire us all with their fun and creative ways of raising money for the charity. Here are just some of our local youngsters who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to support Devon Air Ambulance

9-year-old Keira Turton raised £190 with a ake ale a e and ‘Guess the Weight of the Turkey’ competition at her family’s business, Andrew Jones Butchery & Bakehouse in Willand.

Siblings Fraser, Austin and Lexi Topp cycled over 10 miles and raised £306.

East Devon friends Aidan Pearcy and Jack Dallyn cycled 100 miles and raised £900 for DAA – well done lads!

Isabella Probert raised £126.62 from a sale of her toys in Exeter – this is third time Isabella has held a toy sale for DAA! Hatherleigh Primary School raised £170.42 through their non-uniform day last October.

44

last 2 2018!

helipad | www.daat.org

Devon People Real people saving real lives - what could you do to save a life?

As usual, we love to showcase our fantastic fundraisers, and say ‘thank you’ for all of the wonderful, weird and wacky things you do to raise money for Devon Air Ambulance - you are all amazing!

Presenter Judy Spiers with Deborah Meaden at the’ Exclusive Evening with Deborah Meaden’ event at the Moorland Garden Hotel, Yelverton. The hotel chose to support DAA and kindly donated £550 raised from the event.

Mrs Susan Murray, the proprietor of Lewtrenchard Manor Hotel Okehampton presenting a cheque for £4,306.93 raised at their Christmas Fair in November to our DAA volunteer Toni Kemeny. The Hotel have raised over £29,000 to date with their Christmas Fairs and Charity Lunches supporting DAA.

East Devon Daytime Band’s Trevor Heynes presents Simon Card with a cheque for £100 raised from a performance at Sainsbury’s in Ottery.

spring 2018 | FUNDRAISERS

45

Adam Greaves grew this impressive moustache for Movember and raised £147 for DAA!

Phoebe Bloor did a skydive for DAA in January in memory of her friend Lauren Scott, raising over £2,000.

Grenville Northam shaved his head – and raised £1,020 for DAA. Bradworthy Young Farmers presented a cheque for £9,642 to Dennis Bater. Presenting the cheque is Pammy Riggs, mother of one of the young farmers who passed away last year.

Marchand Petit donated £510 in lieu of Secret Santa.

Mark Chorlton’s Christmas lights in Bideford raised £94.28.

See our GETTING IN TOUCH section on page 3

46

helipad | www.daat.org

Zyggy Gregoreck of Anglers Paradise, Beaworthy, presenting £2,300 to ennis ate .

The Beard & Moustache Competition held in Exeter in July last year raised £378.19 for DAA.

ita de ree holding one of he Loafing sessions, this time raising £160 for DAA.

o nd’ baking

Two groups from William Hill in North Devon and Exeter each did a walk – they raised £104.43 for DAA.

Stephen Kerr and Robin Lewis Price of the Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club presenting a cheque for £2,000 to Lo ise ewbe y following thei ann al wimathon in tobe involving local schools and groups.

’s ian hapman e ei es a he e fo £622.63 from John Langley of Burnham & District Model Railway Club ohn aises money by donating the p ofits f om selling limited edition model ailway wagons, this is the third one he has done to support s and b ings his total to £1,538.55.

Photo: Exmouth Town Concert Band.

Trevor Huggons receiving a cheque for £601.12 from Exmouth Town Concert Band who chose DAA as their Charity of the Year in 2017. The monies were raised at their Spring and Christmas Concerts.

Barnstaple Rotary Club donated £3,500 from their charity golf day at a nton olf l b last g st

spring 2018 | FUNDRAISERS

Grecian’s Travel Exeter City Football Club raised £1,309 fo

e on i

47

mb lan e

ol ntee aham Gordon receiving a cheque for £2,000 f om Wenona Pappin, President of Brixham Soroptimists, who have chosen DAA as their charity for 2017/2018

Palladium Building Supplies host an annual Charity Golf Day at Bigbury Golf Course, raising £4,050 for DAA since 2013.

The Willand Cameo Ladies p esented i ha d Lappas with a cheque for £800 aised f om thei yea of f nd aising

The Appledore Singers held a h istmas on e t in s ppo t of in e embe and aised £950. The cheque as presented by Jenny Cawsey, club secretary, to volunteer i ha d mbold Keith White of the Mid Devon Tractor, Engine & Machinery Group presenting a cheque for £700 to ol ntee aham Ley

THINKING OF FUNDRAISING?

i

See our GETTING IN TOUCH section on page 3 If you are planning a fundraising activity of any kind, please do gi e s a all e an o e s ppo t mate ial such as posters, balloons, collection boxes and even nning ests and we an p omote yo e ent on so ial media

48

helipad | www.daat.org

2017

Our busiest year ever...

Nigel Hare, Operations Director, looks back at a year that saw us deployed to more incidents – and treat more patients - than ever before.

O

ur specialist Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) dispatchers monitor all the 999 calls received within the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s Control Room and identify e a ie eri a life-threatening medical condition or serious injuries as a result of an accident or incident. They then deploy the service to those patients mo li el o e efi from rapid delivery of the enhanced clinical care our crew can provide, and/or the speed in which we can convey the patient directly to the right hospital to meet their needs. Their decisionmaking skills play a very important role in ensuring e e efi a ma eo le as possible.

Although one advantage of an air ambulance is its ability to reach patients who are inaccessible by land, it

may surprise readers to learn that this only accounted for 7% of our deployments last year. Most often, we are deployed because of the enhanced and critical care t eatment we an o e them even if they can be reached by a road ambulance. In fact, almost two-thirds of the patients we responded

hospital which has the spe ialist sta and t eatment needed to give that patient the very best chance of a successful outcome. Last year we bypassed the nearest hospital for 33% of our patients to enable them to access the specialist care they needed.

As part of the pre-hospital

“ Operating during the hours of darkness isn’t just restricted to ‘night time’. In the winter months, it can be dark from as early as 4pm ” to last year were in a town, village or hamlet or even one of Devon’s two cities.

As well as bringing this enhanced and critical care straight to the patient, anothe key benefit of our service is that we can ‘bypass’ the closest hospital in favour of taking the patient directly to the

response to patients, we work alongside land ambulance clinicians, ol ntee omm nity fi st responders as well as other responders and emergency services. In doing so, last year was not only our busiest year ever in terms of the number of incidents we deployed to, it was also the

busiest in terms of numbers of people treated in a single year, with just under 1,000 patients receiving care from Devon Air Ambulance.

Operating during the hours of darkness isn’t just restricted to ‘night time’. In the winter months, it can be dark from as early as 4pm and last yea was o fi st f ll year of providing our ‘night’ service.

Working with local communities, we continue to help establish a network of ‘Community Landing Sites’ equipped with remote ont olled floodlighting that we can activate from our control room. These sites enable us to respond quickly, often landing right in the heart of a town or village, meaning we an o e the same life-saving service to patients even when it is dark.

Throughout 2017 the great support of communities has enabled us to increase the

spring 2018 | OPERATIONS

49

OPERATIONS Profile: Nigel Hare - Operations Director Email: n.hare@daat.org Nigel is responsible for the provision of our operational service, from the initial procurement of the helicopters and their equipment right through to the care that reaches the patient. He joined Devon Air Ambulance in 1997 as an Aircrew Paramedic.

The statistics displayed here highlight some aspects of our activity during 2017 Trauma Incidents Agricultural Burns Aviation DSH Falls Industrial RTC Sport Other

number of active sites from 22 to 60, with over 140 other communities working with us to establish their own landing site. As more sites become operational we will be able to respond to even more patients who need our help during the hours of darkness, howe e e en in o fi st year, starting with just a small number of sites, we responded to 80 incidents.

Throughout the year we have continued to develop our ‘Enhanced & Critical Care (E&CC) Programme’.

We continue to fund the educational and clinical

development of our paramedics and doctors to help equip them with the knowledge and skills required to treat the needs of the patients we are called to help. In 2017 we extended the treatments and inte entions we an o e patients to the greatest range it has ever been.

The clinical team come together each month to review the treatment and care they provided our patients. We liaise with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust as well as the Acute

Medical Incidents Cardiac Cardiac Arrest Collapse Neurological Respiratory Abdominal Anaphylaxis Diabetic Infection Other

Hospitals to which we convey patients, with the aim of ensuring the care we provide is of the very highest quality.

Importantly, we also seek to understand if our patients had any unmet needs, which are currently not available until they arrive in the hospital, that potentially we could introduce into the pre-hospital phase of their treatment in future.

In 2017 we extended the scope of our monthly review meetings. For incidents which we worked alongside other emergency services, we now also invite them to

join us so that we can learn from their experience, and them from ours. All with the aim of providing patients with the very highest standard of care.

Being able to respond last year to the greatest demand our service has ever seen, is a testament to the support Devon Air Ambulance receives. So if you are a supporter of our service, one of our volunteers or a member of sta o ope ational ew would like to say thank you to you all. Each of you has helped us treat patients in their time of need! o

helipad | www.daat.org

50

Tax doesn’t have to be taxing – but it still is!

GO TO

JAIL

Mrs Fitz stresses about a life behind bars and Fitz contemplates the onder ul orld o official bureaucracy

A

ream ame rom e e e e em e oo la ie a o e e e o o i o er a e a re i ere a a rimi al i a o a lo o ar iral o loo i o er er o l er or e re o er li e e a or o e o a e ar need to get to the ost e with my o is it the ’ she yelped and then hanged he mind o hang on the e is a phone n mbe to all hey will nde stand that this is a mistake and m st ha e o e looked the eminde ’ ow fo nd this e y to hing she a t ally tho ght that a go e nment based phone line wo ld ha e someone on the end of it fo he to talk to fte dialling she was p essing n mbe s fo se e al min tes onfi ming that the a was ins ed did not need an o

and that she has ne e sed a at as an aste bonnet ell that was what the e o ded oi e said we think hen the estion of the ho s the a swo n in ’ he epeated it to me hat ’ said Like as in a esident ’ looked at the l mp on the d i eway and said t is a f nny olo easily stee ed and hopef lly won’t be the e in a o ple of yea s so in that sense p ess yes ’ he didn’t and sho ted something abo t killing me then added the helpf l info mation that in days gone by debto p isons didn’t feed thei inmates it was the family that had to s pply the

food his fo some eason didn’t alm he down y now had b o ght p the website and dis o e ed that and not swo n was the se tion she was bl nde ing th o gh tat to y oad otifi ation his appa ently does not mean it has been left in a hedge o abandoned by the hen she p essed th ee and ente ed into the finan ial bit it was he e we we e to dis o e if she was abo t to be fined o fa e a stodial senten e he ente ed the egist ation n mbe at the top of the lette and waited he ig othe ’ oi e deli e ed the hilling news that eo po nds and e o pen e has been debited f om yo

a

o nt ’ he ked the pape eminde Like mine he a is so low in emissions that it does not need oad ta b t yo still ha e to go onto the website o all to p o e that yo ha e e ei ed a lette eminde to ta a a nd he e is the eally sef l bit abo t that fo m p inted and posted at o e pense yo an only ta the non ta able a fo months not si and yo an not b eak the ost down into twel e easily payable pa ts o she ended the pen e a min te phone all and b eathed a sign of elief itain’s o e owded p ison system will not be e ei ing anothe statisti h ee days late got a eminde that my a needs ta ing gh

BACKCHAT Profile: David FitzGerald - BBC Broadcaster and DAAT Patron a id fi st began b oad asting on omme ial adio in the ea ly as well as en oying a eg la o nd of golf

s befo e mo ing to tele ision

s well as a b sy b oad asting a ee

a id still finds time fo w iting

Fitz

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 October 2018 Woodbury Common, Exmouth

5k or 10k

www.commandochallenge.co.uk call or email for more info

Individuals & Teams

t.org 01392 466666 fundraising@daa #RMCdoChallenge

5k or 10k

OUR CHARITIES Images Š photo-fit.net

Registered Charity No.1077998

05

Registered Charity No.11342

THE HOME OF ASTON MARTIN IN THE SOUTH WEST. We would like to invite you to our state-of-the-art Aston Martin showroom in Bristol, located at Cribbs Causeway, just off Junction 17 of the M5 motorway. The two-storey dealership is fully approved for New and Timeless Certified Pre-Owned Car Sales, Servicing and Parts.

Aston Martin Bristol proudly support the Devon Air Ambulance and the Royal Marine Charity.

To find out more please call 01173 216 710 or search Aston Martin Bristol.

Aston Martin Bristol Vantage Point, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS10 7TU Phone: + 44 (0) 1173 216 710

Q1 - AMBR Heli Air press Advert .indd 1

Email: info@astonmartinbristol.co.uk

Web: www.astonmartinbristol.co.uk

27/03/2018 17:18