Helipad daat.org
Spring/Summer 2025 FREE
A Summer of
Action-packed
Fundraising Activities
Get involved! Volunteer
this summer
Fond Farewells &NEW BEGINNINGS
Saying goodbye to Heléna Holt & hello to Greg Allen
Can you help?
Welcome to the spring/summer 2025 issue!
Writing my first introduction for Helipad as Devon Air Ambulance’s new CEO is a bit like welcoming people to a fully furnished home that I’ve just moved into. Things are in order, the rooms are nicely decorated and everything feels familiar. However, I have a vision for the future and for what comes next, but, before any of that, I need to learn where all of the light switches are! Spring generally represents new beginnings and fresh starts, so this feels like the perfect time to pen my first ‘Welcome’ to Helipad. Over the following pages you will see just how much work has been going on across the organisation since the start of the year, while learning of our exciting and adventurous plans ahead.
2025 marks a year of many firsts for us, including some of our largest mass-participation events to-date (p18). We’re looking for your support to help us on our innovative, ‘Road to 30’ (p12); plus, we’re sharing important news and information regarding our planned Airbase and HQ (p8). I’m tremendously excited about the year ahead and the next chapter in the Devon Air Ambulance story, following Heléna’s impact in her many years as CEO. For now though, how do I turn this light on?
Greg Greg Allen
Chief Executive Officer
In this issue 4 5 6 8 12 14 16 18 19 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 41 42 44
Fond Farewells... New Chief Executive Greg Allen Heléna’s Legacy Building A New Home... The Road To 30 Shops Volunteer Impact 2025 Events Calendar Action-packed Events Year-Round Activities Volunteer Spotlight Our Lottery Patient Story - Debbie Clare Summer Appeal Supporter Spotlight Help With All Your Heart Patient Story - Terry Jones Vision Zero Your Support Out & About Patient Story - Jane Skelly Business On Board Crossword
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Fond Farewells...
8 28
24
Building A New Home
Supporter Spotlight
Our Patients
Helipad the Offical Magazine of Issue No.37 Spring/Summer 2025 Next issue Spring 2025
Publisher Editor Design
Greg Allen g.allen@daat.org Gareth Peebles g.peebles@daat.org Silver Foxes Publishing 01803 842893
Subscriber queries & address changes: info@daat.org
Helipad is published by Devon Air Ambulance Trust. ISSN (Print) 2055-2343 ISSN (Online) 2055-2351
G-DAAN at Haytor © David Cooper
© 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.
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Saving lives. Together
3
challenges, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and integrity. From the creation of the UK’s first HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) dispatch team in 2007, to the acquisition of advanced Eurocopter EC135 helicopters, Heléna’s leadership has welcomed a number of significant advancements for the charity. In 2014, DAA became completely independent, earning its own Air Operating Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority. A year later, Devon Air Ambulance partnered with Plymouth University to launch a new Master’s degree in Pre-hospital Critical Care/Transport and Retrieval for aircrew, further enhancing the charity’s impact across the southwest.
On a recent visit to the UK to celebrate her Life Presidency award, our founder, Ann Ralli, shares her thoughts on Heléna’s departure and Greg’s arrival as new CEO.
2019 and 2020 saw Devon Air Ambulance named as one of the top not-for-profit companies to work for, a testament to Heléna’s ability to inspire and empower her team. Her tenure culminated in the celebration of the 200th Community Landing site in 2024, as well as exciting plans to develop a new airbase and HQ, both fitting tributes to her extraordinary contributions during her 17-year tenure. As she embarks on her retirement, our community expresses heartfelt gratitude for her inspired and visionary leadership. Her legacy is one of empowerment, growth, and a profound sense of purpose.
Fond Farewells &NEW BEGINNINGS “A remarkable chapter in the history of Devon Air Ambulance is ending, while a new and promising chapter begins. As we bid farewell to Heléna Holt, our esteemed CEO whose visionary leadership has propelled the charity to unprecedented heights, we warmly welcome the man poised to continue Heléna’s legacy of excellence. Heléna Holt: A Legacy of Dedication and Innovation “Heléna’s journey with Devon Air Ambulance began in 2007, and her impact has been nothing short of transformative. Under her stewardship, the charity has achieved milestones that once seemed unattainable. Heléna’s vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment have steered the organisation through numerous
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Welcoming Greg: A New Era of Leadership “As Heléna steps down, Devon Air Ambulance welcomes Greg, a leader with a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the community. Greg’s range of talents and interests, coupled with his passion for Devon and its people, make him the ideal successor. His commitment to advancing the charity’s mission and embracing new technologies and medical innovations promises to keep Devon Air Ambulance at the forefront of life-saving services. Greg’s personal connection to the charity is profound, having witnessed the positive impact of its services first hand. The lives of three of his friends were saved by Devon Air Ambulance, instilling in him a deep appreciation for the charity’s worth. His emotional investment and commitment to the cause are evident, and we are grateful to have him on board. As Greg takes the helm, Devon Air Ambulance looks forward to a future of continued growth and excellence. His leadership is expected to build on Heléna’s legacy, driving the charity further for the good of the community and saving lives.
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Our People
Welcome to our new Chief Executive,
Greg Allen Greg tells us in his own words why he’s so pleased to be working at DAA.
In March we bid farewell to our longstanding Chief Executive of 17 years, Heléna Holt. Taking her place is Greg Allen, who joined us in January. Greg is an experienced CEO, chair, non-executive director/trustee, and advisor, with a career spanning 30 years. Greg aims to build on the network of support around our county, knowing that without our volunteers and supporters, we couldn’t continue providing our lifesaving service to the people of Devon. We caught up with Greg to ask him a few questions: Welcome to Devon Air Ambulance. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? “Thank you. I’m delighted to have joined Devon Air Ambulance and the fantastic team of staff and volunteers. I have been a Devon resident for 20 years and we brought up our three children here. They have all flown the nest now, but my passion for our county and community remains strong. I’ve worked in various sectors, across the UK and internationally. The first ten years of my career were in private and investment banking and as an Army Officer. I then joined the NHS and spent a decade on the boards of different NHS organisations. Over the last ten years, I have been running health and care charities and commercial businesses as a CEO. I have also been a Trustee of organisations like Shaw Trust, Hospiscare and Arthritis Action. In 2020, I was appointed as a Professor of Practice at the University of Exeter Business School. Outside of work, I am a keen endurance cyclist and a Francophile. What first attracted you to the role at Devon Air Ambulance, and what will you bring to the role? “Service and social impact are at the heart of who I am. DAA embodies those values. Our organisation has a great reputation, and our county and community mean a lot to me. Three of my friends have had their lives saved by DAA and for that I am forever grateful. daat.org
“
Our organisation has a great reputation, and our county and community mean a lot to me. I knew I wanted this job if it came up. At the heart of everything for me are people. I love working with different people and helping them be the best they can be. What are the future challenges you envisage, and how do you plan to tackle them? “As a CEO, you need to balance external and internal focus. I enjoy engaging with people across teams and organisations. The economic and environmental context is everchanging, and the demand for our services is increasing. We need to keep abreast of threats and opportunities, build good relationships with potential partners, and look for ways to collaborate and innovate. Maintaining an adaptable approach is important while staying true to our vision and mission. How do you see Devon Air Ambulance adapting in the future to meet a growing and changing need? “Everyone in our teams, volunteers and community can influence how DAA adapts to future needs. We all have ideas that could help resolve challenges. A new combined head office and airbase will be critical in delivering our aims around prevention, treatment and recovery. What are you most excited about? “This whole job excites me! I am motivated by leading a much-loved and successful organisation into the future and discovering new possibilities to deliver better outcomes for our patients.”
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The Best Job in Devon Heléna Holt has led Devon Air Ambulance for over 17 years. She became interested in the charity while helping her sister with fundraising activities in Dartmoor. When the role came up, she applied and got it, and hasn’t looked back since.
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hen I started, the charity raised roughly £3-4m a year to fund the air ambulance service. Back then, it was essentially a flying ambulance service, focused on speed - getting people to the right care as quickly as possible,” said Heléna. “Today, the focus has shifted to getting the right care to the patient, emphasising the speed of treatment rather than transportation. “Financially, the charity has transformed massively, thanks to our incredible supporters. Now, it has a turnover well over £15m, is clinically independent, has CQC registration, and owns its own aircraft. The organisation is unrecognisable compared to its early days.” Heléna has never taken the role for granted and says it has been a huge opportunity and a privilege. “When I joined, people would ask ‘what do you do’ and I’d tell them I had the best job in Devon. I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to work for Devon Air Ambulance. “It’s one of those organisations that gets under your skin. Everybody in their own way has an impact, even if it’s trialing a new way of doing something, sharing an idea, or bringing a sense of humor to something. My job was about facilitating that so people could make the best contribution they could.” The impact the charity has had on people’s lives will leave a lasting impression on Heléna. 6
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One of the joys of this job is the number of patients and families I’ve been lucky enough to meet and talk to. Within the first week of starting, I quickly understood that it’s not always about saving lives; for some, it’s about being able to say goodbye to somebody, or that someone just remembers their care. What people remember is the hand that was held, the kind words, or the bit of banter that helped them get through a terrifying time. “I realised this early on when I was asked to go to Tavistock for a cheque presentation. A woman had been raising money because we airlifted her husband to Derriford after a heart attack on the golf course. The family got to say goodbye, and that’s why she raised that money. It struck a chord with me that it’s not always about saving a life, it’s about those moments of care as well. “Another patient had a horrific accident and lost a limb, but against all odds survived. I remember the photograph of him walking his daughter down the aisle! He wouldn’t have been there without our help, so it was really emotional.” The role hasn’t been without challenges, and Heléna recalls one of the most difficult periods in her leadership when Covid made communication extremely difficult. “Working through Covid was hard. The inability to communicate effectively was the real challenge. We even had to ground the aircraft for six weeks because we couldn’t separate the crew and the patients. Fortunately, we found a solution and got back up and running relatively quickly.” daat.org
Our People
“
Devon Air Ambulance is held in trust by and for the people of Devon, who make its work possible. The organisation is here to serve them, and that mission remains at the heart of everything it does. Heléna Holt
Now her time at Devon Air Ambulance has come to an end, Heléna reflects on the future. “The difficult bit for me has been deciding when to go. There’s always something exciting around the corner, like the plans for the new HQ and airbase. We need to make the best of what we have, but we’re currently held back, by our lack of facilities. “When I finish, I will be cleaning and fixing the house, and I’ll have a couple of mini breaks while I decide what to do next. I don’t know what that will look like, but it’s exciting - I’ve never had a career plan, I’ve always just taken opportunities that fit.” As she leaves the organisation, one of Heléna’s last acts will be to present a lifetime presidency award to Ann Ralli, the charity’s founder. “Ann is a force of nature. Once you get to know her, you realise how hard she had to fight to get DAA up and running. Her sheer determination in campaigning, fundraising, and lobbying is extraordinary. All that because her son, Ceri, died because he didn’t get treatment quickly enough when he was knocked off his bicycle. She is truly inspirational and unique.”
William Matthewman Chair of Trustees
A legacy of growth & independence Heléna’s leadership has steered the charity through a period of enormous transformation and has been instrumental in developing its iconic reputation and status across the county, as well as nationally. When Heléna joined DAA in 2007, we were deployed to 1,580 missions, employed 28 people, and had an income of £4.9m. Last year, we carried out 2,226 missions with around 158 staff, with our income growing to more than £10m.
Ann Ralli with Heléna
Heléna also pays tribute to the thousands of people across the county who have supported the charity over the years. “Devon Air Ambulance is held in trust by and for the people of Devon, who make its work possible. The organisation is here to serve them, and that mission remains at the heart of everything it does.”
In 2019, Heléna led DAA to become the UK’s first fully independent Air Ambulance, with responsibility for all aspects of aviation and clinical delivery, receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on our first inspection. She has also overseen the introduction of doctors on board our helicopters as well as the enhancement of the clinical skills and knowledge of our team of specialists and advanced paramedics, to ensure patients in Devon are now receiving expert, hospital-level care in their time of need. These outstanding achievements are testament to her passion and commitment, and she will leave Devon Air Ambulance in a fantastic place for future growth. Thank you Heléna for all you have done for DAA and the people of Devon.
Saving lives. Together
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Building a
NEW HOME
for Devon Air Ambulance
Our new airbase will improve response times and the delivery of life-saving care across Devon.
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e are embarking on an exciting journey to build a new home for Devon Air Ambulance. This new facility will enable us to continue responding to our communities’ needs, adapt our services, and enhance our ability to provide lifesaving care. It will also support our world-class research and offer tailored post-incident care to our patients and their families. This investment will strengthen our service, ensuring that we are always there for the people of Devon and the patients who rely on us. For over 30 years, we have proudly served nearly 35,000 patients in Devon and beyond. However, our current facilities are old and outdated and will soon no longer meet our service’s needs. Devon’s population is projected to increase by 100,000 people over the next 15 years. Over the past decade, the demand for our services has doubled, and we have reached the capacity of our current Exeter airbase. 8
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The availability of the adjacent land has meant that rather than begin a build from scratch, we can retrofit the existing airbase and enhance the current site with an access lane, car parking, external storage and the other office facilities needed to operate at the new site.
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Our Work To continue responding to our future patients and families in the best way we can, we must expand and enhance our facilities. A new airbase will give us: •
A larger, retrofitted aircraft hangar for our newer aircraft, providing ample space for maintenance and operations.
•
A purpose-built training facility for our emergency pre-hospital doctors and paramedics.
•
Equipment and infrastructure to move to 24/7 operations when the time is right
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Dedicated spaces for mission preparation and debriefing.
•
Post-incident family areas for our patients and their families that support their recovery journey.
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Additional spaces for fundraising, training and community engagement which enhance how we work with local communities and our supporters.
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Improved visitor areas to help us grow and respond to our communities’ needs, welcome visitors to our airbase and enable them to meet the crew and see our helicopter and critical care cars.
•
Wellbeing and rest facilities for our crew and clinicians, to enable them to decompress after a mission, or be ready for the next time the phone rings.
The new base will also enhance efficiency by colocating the charity’s operations and support staff, thereby reducing overhead costs and improving our environmental impact. After five years of intensive searching and negotiation, we are excited to have found the perfect location for our new combined airbase and headquarters, which will be on land next to our current airbase at Exeter Airport. This adjacent land allows us to extend the current airbase and enhance the site with an access lane, car parking,
external storage, and office facilities. The site next to Exeter Airport will provide an improved airbase with wraparound support team, complemented by our North Devon Eaglescott airbase, which will remain operational as normal and allow us quick response times in northern areas of the county. Progress so far We’re currently making good progress on buying the land and working with other partners around other elements before we can submit a planning application for approval. Improving how we work together By bringing together the teams that deliver the timecritical patient care and the teams that support these operations we will be able to work more efficiently and ultimately deliver an even better service. We know that, in responding to emergency callouts, every second matters and can make a crucial difference for people facing lifechanging and life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The design will streamline everything from swift access to aircraft and Critical Care Cars, to efficient restocking of medical supplies and disposing of clinical waste. It will be organised around how our crew prepares for, sets off on, and returns from a mission. Having a central base will save time traveling between our airbase, external stores, and headquarters elsewhere for supplies, or staying connected as teams. Access to our airbase is via the international airport gate, which is subject to extensive security measures, so by having a new access road directly to our HQ and airbase, we can make vital time savings for our critical care cars. It will also mean we can invite in more visitors and local community groups, and hold events that support fundraising and promote awareness of our vital service.
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Building a new home for Devon Air Ambulance is an essential next step in taking our lifesaving charity to the next level, making sure it continues to be there for our patients and communities in the future. Greg Allen Chief Executive
The new building will be a vital asset in the face of increased demand as we strive to support our patients and their families through their recovery, and to maintain and enhance our strong links with our volunteers, community groups, schools and businesses across Devon. Accessing our current airbase is restrictive and challenging for staff as well as for visitors. We will be able to expand into a new purpose-built facility to welcome patients and families, as well as our supporters and volunteers, to meet the team and view the helicopter or Critical Care Car up close to gain a deeper understanding of our operations.
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“
Darren Goodwin Clinical Director
Training spaces for critical care practitioners Our current airbase lacks dedicated training facilities. Although our clinical teams make use of any available space they can, they require a fit-for-purpose area in which to train regularly with a proper equipment storage area. Not only will a new training area mean our staff can practise and simulate the enhanced and critical care interventions they deliver to patients, but we can also bring in our partners at South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust to train alongside us, upskilling others and building the working understanding that is so vital when tackling time-critical incidents at the scene.
An exciting time ahead There’s a lot of exciting work to look forward to. Over the coming year, we’ll be developing and refining our plans for the new HQ building and retrofitted airbase. As we move towards submitting a full planning application, we will keep our partners, supporters and the wider public updated on our progress.
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A transformative next step for everyone
The new airbase and head office is an exciting next step for our service and a fundamental one. As crew, we look to every opportunity to enhance efficiency and improve the quality of the care we bring to our patients. The essential improvements made to the base and our way of working will be transformative for staff across the organisation.
Jess Thomas-Mourne Critical Care Paramedic
We aim to secure major gifts to fund this work first, before sharing wider fundraising plans later this year. Concept image – for illustrative purpose only
How will we fund it? Building a new home for Devon Air Ambulance is our most ambitious mission yet; but we know how important it is to ensure we can continue to respond to the needs of our Devon communities. Developing a new, fit for purpose, combined airbase and headquarters is likely to cost in the region of £9m. Thanks to careful financial management, we’ve already set aside £4.5m to start this work, meaning that we will need to raise the remaining half. 10 Helipad
daat.org
dresses
shoes
accessories
Lovin’ Summer
Shop onlline for o onli online summer fashion shopdaat.org
Photo by Angelo Pantazis on Unsp Unsplash plash
THE ROAD TO
30
A Journey of Innovation & Growth
Head of Retail, Pete Vallance, takes us through the Charity’s ambitious plans to deliver 30 shops across Devon. “The Retail team’s ambitious journey towards establishing 30 shops across Devon has been nothing short of remarkable. Our strategy, aptly named the “Road to 30,” is delivered in collaboration with staff from across the Charity,” explains Pete Vallance. “Our commitment to innovation, resilience, and community engagement is based on the strong foundation that came before us, when plans for Retail were to deliver an average of two new shops per year.”
accessories, and other unique items popular among fashionistas and collectors alike. This format has proved hugely successful and highlights our customers’ desire for distinctive shopping experiences.
Here we reflect on our progress so far, while taking the opportunity to highlight some of the diverse range of shop formats we’ve explored and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. With 22 shops now spread across the county, will you help us to reach our goal, on The Road to 30? A Journey of Exploration Our journey began with a vision to enhance our retail presence while continuing to develop a sustainable income stream for the charity. To achieve this, we experimented with various shop formats, each designed to cater to different customer preferences and market demands. Concept ventures include our Vintage and Variety shops in Dartmouth and Topsham, offering a curated selection of vintage clothing, 12 Helipad
During 2016, we introduced a Furniture and Electrical shop format in Exeter. This shop focused on providing affordable furniture, home goods and electrical appliances, while also housing our fledgling eBay operation. This format not only helped us clear excess stock but reinforced our commitment to sustainability by promoting the reuse and repurposing of goods. Sadly, when the lease on the building came to an end, we were unable to find a suitable alternative. Our journey of exploration continued in 2016 when we introduced a
clearance shop to Exmouth, selling items from £5 to 50p! This shop has been known to sell over 26,000 ladies’ tops in a year and is now the busiest shop in our DAA retail estate! Learning and Adapting We are always looking to innovate and give our customers something that they will value. In Cowick Street, Exeter, we reprofiled the shop, making it the flagship location for our Mishap Fashion range, supporting our sustainability agenda by offering items with slight blemishes, or ‘mishaps’, a second chance before they go to rag and recycling. In this store, savvy thrifters can find quality stock with slight defects listed on the price tag. Throughout our journey we’ve faced challenges and opportunities that have shaped our strategy. Sometimes we haven’t always got the location quite right, and we have processes in place to continually review performance and viability, which we call our Strategy for Every Store. The success of our various shop formats highlights the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the ever-evolving retail landscape. Understanding customer needs and preferences is crucial to our success, and we’ve continuously refined our approach based on feedback and market trends. daat.org
Community engagement is a cornerstone of our strategy, and we are committed to making a positive impact within the communities we serve. By inviting residents to be involved in our initiatives, we’ve built strong relationships and fostered a sense of ownership and pride among our supporters. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in driving our growth and ensuring the sustainability of our operations. Looking Ahead As we continue on the Road to 30, we remain focused on expanding our retail footprint and enhancing customer experiences. We are committed to investing in new shop locations and upgrading our existing estate to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
Can you help? As we strive to achieve our goal of 30 shops, we invite you to be a part of our journey. We are actively seeking new shop locations in specific areas and would love to hear your suggestions. It might be a site that you drive or walk past, or it could be a property that you own. So, if you know of any potential sites in our desired locations, let us know! Your input and support are invaluable as we work towards creating a brighter future for our charity and the communities we serve. daat.org
In addition to our physical, ‘bricks and mortar’ strategy, we have improved our presence online via dedicated shop Facebook pages, as well as increasing ranges on our online shops at eBay and www.shopdaat.org - maximising our impact. Special Thanks We believe that the success of our retail strategy lies in the collective efforts of our Retail team, volunteers, and customers. Together, we have created vibrant and dynamic retail spaces that not only generate income for the charity but also make a positive impact on the communities we serve through supporting the circular economy and tackling fast fashion.
Retail
“
The success of our new shops and retail strategy lies in the collaborative support from staff across the charity, underpinned by our retail team, volunteers and customers.
Pete Vallence Head of Retail
The Road to 30 – Location, Location, Location Furniture & Electrical Shops Requirements: Large shop space, car garage, trade counter, vehicle access Where: Exeter & District (good links to A30/M5), Plymouth (Plympton / Plymstock), Kingsteignton / Kingskerswell Standard Format Shops Requirements: 2,000 - 5,000 sq.ft site with sales floor and rear storage space with good delivery access and local footfall Where: Ilfracombe, Axminster, Teignmouth, Ivybridge, Brixham, Bovey Tracy,
Seaton, Ottery St Mary, Great Torrrington, Holsworthy, Braunton, Cullompton, Ashburton, Salcombe, Dawlish, Cranbrook, Plympton Meanwhile (Pop-Up) Use Requirements: ‘Easy in/Easy out’ terms to fill an empty shop space for at least 10 weeks. Likely to host niche products (e.g dresses, Books, Rumble in the Jumble) Where: Exeter High Street/City Centre, other areas of high footfall
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Volunteer at events.
Help save lives Volunteering, even for just a few hours, has a powerful effect on both the community and your wellbeing.
Bucket Collecting
We offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities that are suitable for all ages, abilities and interests! Whether you’re able to give just a little of your time, or can commit to more regular hours, there’s something for everyone.
Raising awareness, engaging with the community and bringing in vital funds, bucket collecting is an important and diverse role. Simply turn up on the day to show your support, or get more involved with the planning and administration of buckets.
2023 £3,375
If you’re a ‘people person’ and enjoy good company, getting involved with event volunteering or even hosting a talk could be a perfect match for you. We’ve got opportunities to join in at events such as the Devon Heli Hike, where volunteers will enjoy a great atmosphere, meet new friends and make a real difference to our cause. Whether volunteering solo, or as part of a team, you’ll leave with a sense of achievement, and pride in knowing that you’re helping us to save lives.
Collection Boxes
Volunteering, even for just a few hours, has a powerful effect on both the community and your wellbeing, fostering a real sense of purpose and connection. Keep reading to learn about our different roles.
2023 £112,590
14 Helipad
2024 £6,497
We have around 4,200 red collection boxes permanently sited throughout the county. Setting up a network in your area is a fantastic way to get out, meet others, and raise awareness of what we do.
2024 £115,252
Volunteers Retail Volunteers Retail volunteers are crucial in helping us create a welcoming, friendly, and accessible shopping experience in our 20+ charity shops and online. Numbers below illustrate hours volunteered in retail.
2023 54,636 2024 63,4504
Event Volunteers Providing a great opportunity to promote the work of our charity, have a great time and attend some interesting events, all while raising vital funds. Last year volunteers attended over 150 events!
2023 117 2024 152
Volunteer Speakers We are often asked to attend community events to present information to groups who are interested in the work of Devon Air Ambulance. Volunteers who enjoy public speaking and who can inspire and motivate people to support us are invaluable.
2023 71
How you help... 6%
2%
Work Experience, T-Level Students & D of E
Other Volunteer Roles
39% 53%
Fundraising Volunteers
Retail Volunteers
2024 78 Become a Devon Heli Hike Volunteer – register your interest today! Sign-up for a one-off event or apply for regular volunteer opportunities.
For more information visit: daat.org/DHHVolunteer daat.org
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2025 Events Line Up
We enjoyed another wonderful year of events throughout 2024, thanks to your fantastic support! So we’re excited to share our jam-packed events line-up with you for the season ahead. We’re looking forward to seeing you there. Agricultural Shows
These events are a vibrant celebration of rural life in Devon and one of the most frequent and popular events that we attend throughout the summer, offering fun for all the family. Get up close with beautiful animals and livestock and enjoy equestrian events and displays. Sample local food and drink, including artisan cheeses, fresh-baked goods, and award-winning ciders. Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities and demonstrations including sheep shearing and dog agility. Whether you’re a countryside enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out with the family, these shows have got everything you’ll need to make the most of summer!
Pride
We are delighted to support Pride events once more this year. Pride is an important occasion for our staff to celebrate equality and diversity with Devon’s communities. Come and speak to us about what we do, volunteering opportunities, careers and much more at Devon Air Ambulance. We’d love to see you there!
Races
You can find us at the Plymouth Half Marathon, Great West Run and Dartmoor running trails, where we are privileged to be partnering with various clubs and race organisers across Devon for 2025. Enter to raise money for our charity or find us on the day. Charity spaces are limited, so if you’d like to secure one of these spots, get in touch, TODAY! Email: fundraising@daat.org
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May
August
Sat 10th
Wed 6th
Sun 11th
Thu 7th
Thu 15th – Sat 17th
Sat 9th
with Charity shop pop-up
Wed 13th
Exeter Pride Plymouth Half Marathon Devon County Show
North Devon Show Honiton Show Inflatable 5k
Fri 23th - Sun 25th May
Exford Show
with Charity shop pop-up & CPR Demos
Okehampton Show
Tunes in the Castle Sun 25th
Great West Run – Exeter Sat 31st
Torbay Air Show
June Sun 1st
Torbay Airshow Sat 21st – Sun 22nd
Axe Vale Show
with Charity shop pop-up Sat 21st
Exmouth Pride Sat 28th
Armed Forces Day – Plymouth Hoee
July
Out & About
Thu 14th Thu 21st
Chagford Show Sun 31st
Uffculme Show
September Sun 7th
Saltram Classic Car – Lyneham Estate Sat 6th
Kingsbridge Show Sun 21st
Torbay Marathon Sun 21st
Run Fit Run 5 race
October tbc Daring Descent Abseil
Thu 3rd – Fri 4th
South Devon CAMRA – Totnes Civic Hall Sat 5th
Devon Heli Hike - Jennycliff Sat 5th
South Devon CAMRA – Totnes County Hall Wed 9th
Exeter 10K Sat 19th
DAA Skydive Day Sat 26th
Mid Devon Show Sun 27th
Totnes Show Wed 30th
Yealmpton Show
Keep up to date For the latest events news visit daat.org/events or scan the code
daat.org
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Action Packed Events
Excitement is on the horizon as we gear up for a series of thrilling, action-packed events... Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a fitness enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to give back, we’ve got something for everyone. From a challenging hike to a high-energy obstacle course and daring fundraising challenges, these events are your chance to make a difference while having an unforgettable time.
Devon Heli Hike 5th July
DAA’s Daring Descent Date TBC
Our abseil event returns for 2025 following the dizzying success of the inaugural descent last year.
Participants reached towering heights in Plymouth for the first time last year, raising an incredible £25,000! Have you got what it takes? Will you dare to take on the descent? If you are interested in abseiling for Devon Air Ambulance, please register your interest at: bit.ly/daring2025
Lace up your boots to save lives, one step at a time!
Join us this summer for our first annual Devon Heli Hike along the South West Coast Path. Starting at Jennycliff, near Plymouth, you’ll hike either a 14 or 26mile route. Expect beautiful views from both rugged and paved terrain, river crossings, seascapes and rolling hills. With fewer than 100 spaces left, secure your place to take on this exciting challenge, and raise funds to save lives across Devon. Visit daat.org/heli-hike
Exeter Inflatable 5k
9th August
Whether you’re 5 or 55, grab your friends, family, and colleagues and secure one of our 150 exclusive charity spaces for the Exeter Inflatable 5K event at Westpoint.
Bounce, slide, and tackle a GIANT inflatable course to keep our crew responding this summer! Charity spaces are available for all course lengths, 2.5, 5, 10 or 15km, and corporate bundles are available too. Bounce into action and sign up for the ultimate inflatable experience today! Minimum entry: age 5 with accompanying adult. Visit daat.org/i5k 18 Helipad
Skydive Day
19th July
Are you ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush?
Join us for an unforgettable Charity Skydive Day, where brave fundraisers will take to the skies to freefall for our lifesaving cause! If you are unable to make the Charity Day event but would love to jump for DAA anyway, you can sign up for other skydive events throughout the year. Visit daat.org/skydive
daat.org
Fundraising
Year-Round Activities Uncoated
Coated
With so many action-packed activities taking place this summer, you might be left wondering what you can do to support our crew’s lifesaving work? From bake sales and pub quizzes to personal and group challenges, discover simple, year-round, fundraising ideas that you can take part in that will make a lasting impact. Personal challenges From golf to go-karts, knitting to kayaking and jigsaws to jam making, undertake a unique personal challenge that suits your abilities and interests. These personal challenges can be deeply rewarding and allow fundraisers to support our work in a way that is important to them.
Corporate/Group Fundraisers If you work with likeminded colleagues or are involved with a local group who enjoy a challenge, a bit of cake, or a pub quiz, consider undertaking a shared group challenge to raise funds! A great opportunity to work together on a shared goal while supporting the wider Devon community.
Bake Off for Take Off Organise coffee mornings and bake sales throughout the year and get ready to Bake Off for Take Off (see what we did there?)! We’ve even put together a handy pack to support your events including bunting, cake toppers and invitations, to help ensure your event is a great success. Visit daat.org/bake-off
Run for us We have a whole host of free charity spaces for races throughout Devon, contact us if you’d like to run and raise money for DAA this year.
Pub Quiz Who doesn’t love a bit of friendly rivalry in the local pub quiz? Or maybe you just enjoy getting quizzical and would like to host your own ‘pub quiz’ at home. If you’re part of a group or own a pub and would like to access our FREE pub quiz pack, complete with hassle-free Q&A rounds, visit: daat.org/events daat.org
Contact our fundraising team at Fundraising@daat.org or scan the QR code to see how we can support you
Saving lives. Together
19
Vol unt Spo eer tlig ht Event Volunteers Event volunteers are an important part of our team, making it possible for us to attend events all summer long, enabling us to be out in the community meeting the people we serve.
We attend a wide range of events, from fetes, festivals, and fairs to county shows and sporting events. This varied and hands-on role is not only essential but also incredibly rewarding. By attending events, volunteers have the chance to engage with the local community, foster support for DAA, and have a lot of fun in the process.
Event volunteering is flexible, ad hoc, and requires minimal commitment, meaning volunteers can choose to participate in just one event or be involved throughout the summer. Our event volunteers handle a variety of tasks, including setting up and packing down event equipment, selling merchandise and raffle tickets, marshalling, participating in a cheer squad, capturing memorable moments with photos, and engaging with the public to promote the charity’s work. Plus, they get to indulge in a delicious ice cream or two while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere!
20 Helipad
daat.org
Volunteers
Event Volunteer Carol Willoughby Carol joined us as a volunteer in November 2023 as a box collector. Since then, she has been hugely supportive by attending local fundraising events and cheque presentations. Carol said: “When I retired, I wanted to do something useful and helpful for the community. DAA was always going to be my choice. I think it is an important charity that could be needed by anyone at any time. My role is as a donation box collector, but I also do bucket
collections, attend events, and give appreciation talks to sponsors. I find this very enjoyable and relaxing as I love meeting people. I love volunteering because I like talking to people about DAA, answering their questions, and explaining how important they are to us. I would like to say how supportive the DAA team is to their volunteers and how they make us feel appreciated for what we do. It is nice to think I am, in some small part, helping to keep the heli in the sky and the critical care cars on the road, together with the crews, paramedics, and all concerned. I am proud to be part of the charity.”
Event volunteering is a great way to contribute, meet new people, and enjoy community events. With summer upon us, we have many events across the county to attend, and we need your help! If you’d like to get out in your local area, meet new people, and support Devon Air Ambulance, then this is
Join in the fun! Volunteer for Devon Heli Hike
the perfect opportunity.
For more information and to register your interest, please visit:
daat.org/volunteer or email volunteer@daat.org
“
When I retired, I wanted to do something useful and helpful for the community. DAA was always going to be my choice. I think it is an important charity that could be needed by anyone at any time.
daat.org
Saving lives. Together
21
Play Our Lottery
Know someone who would like to play our lottery? Refer a friend today and both get a free gift!
Join in the fun today! How it works...
1 Add your name and postcode to the form opposite. * your friend to complete the remainder of the form 2 Invite and return it to us in the enclosed pre-paid envelope. 3 Your friend will be entered into the weekly lottery draw. a token of our appreciation for signing up, you 4 As will both receive a complimentary DAA
Already a member and want to support us further? Upgrade your direct debit today for more chances to win and help us raise more vital funds to support our lifesaving work.
You can upgrade by... Calling our Lottery Team on 01392 466666 - option 3 Speak to a lottery canvasser at one of our events or in your local community
For more information about our lottery visit daat.org/lottery
merchandise gift.
Your support. Saves lives! 22
Helipad
daat.org
Lottery Membership Application Lottery Membership Application
Thesum sum of of (tick boxbox only) The (tickone one only) 1 Number 1 Chance
£4.34 Monthly Monthly £4.34
DAAT Lottery Office, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter EX4 8NS
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Tel: 01392 466666 Option 3 or email lottery@daat.org
The above postal address is all you need when contacting us by post.
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PLEASE COMPLETE IN FULL - BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS
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First Name
Date of Birth
Surname
Name and full postal address of your bank or building society
Address
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To: The M anager
Address
Service user number
14
74
72
22
77
46
B a n k / b u ild in g s o c ie t y
Address
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*
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Email I confirm I am 16 years of age or over I Confirm I am 16 yrs of age or over
Branch sort code
Cheque payment - amount ...................... Cheque Payment - Amountreceived Received ££.................. For For
entries perentry entry entries @ @ £1 £1per per week week per
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: D. Hawes 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 466666 Option 3 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 as our lottery raised over £2.5m in 2024 which helps to keep our crews responding. 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 published every Friday afternoon on our website at: www.daat.org. Thank you for your support - you are truly making a difference.
Bank/building society account number
Instruction to your bank or building society Please pay DAAT Lottery 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)
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• 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.
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• This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits. This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to • If there are any changes to the amount, date or pay Direct Debits frequency of your Direct Debit DAAT Lottery will notify you five (5) If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit PSL re working dayswill in advance of5your account debitedoforyour as otherwise agreed. If DAAT Lottery notify you working daysbeing in advance account being debited request DAAT Lottery to collect payment, confi rmation of the amountaand oryou as otherwise agreed. If you requesta The PSL re DAAT Lottery to collect payment, date will be given to you at the time of the request. confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request • Ifananerror errorisismade madeininthe thepayment paymentof ofyour yourDirect Direct Debit, Debit, by by PSL DAATreLottery your If DAAT or Lottery building society, you areyou entitled to a fulltoand immediate orbank youror bank or building society, are entitled a full and immediate refund of refund of the amount paidbank from or your bank or building society. the amount paid from your building society youreceive receiveaarefund refund you you are are not not entitled entitled to, to, you you must – -IfIfyou must pay pay itit back back when when PSL re DAAT DAATLottery Lotteryasks asksyou youto. to. •You Youcan cancancel cancelaaDirect DirectDebit Debitat atany any time time by by simply simply contacting contacting your your bank bank or or building buildingWritten Society. Written confi rmation may be required. Please also society. confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.notify us.
DAA would like to keep you informed about our work, how your support has helped to 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 receive our Helipad magazine or occasional information about our charity please tick the relevant boxes below: Please contact me by email ¨ Please contact me by post ¨ Please contact me by telephone ¨ Please contact me by SMS message ¨
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60 60
marathons in her th year
Last year was a momentous year for Debbie, who set herself the remarkable challenge of running 60 marathons in her 60th year.
D
uring 2010, in a remote and rural part of Devon, Debbie was assisted by our crew when she was kicked in the head by a horse.
“It was touch and go whether I’d survive the injuries, especially being in such a remote location. Without a shadow of a doubt, I wouldn’t be here today without the speed of response from Devon Air Ambulance.” One year after her incident, Debbie’s mum was the lucky winner of the Devon Air Ambulance Lottery, and she continued to loyally support the charity for the next 14 years until she died on October 31st, 2024.
“
I wouldn’t be here today without the speed of response from Devon Air Ambulance. Debbie had previously told her mum that for everything they had been through, she intended to run 60 marathons in her 60th year in support of DAA and another local charity, Fear Free. Debbie’s mum had lived a full and amazing life and reminded her to “keep going and don’t cry”, something Debbie held close to her during the marathons. Debbie, along with her best friend, Mary, continued running the marathons despite her mum’s illnesses. “Without Mary, I couldn’t have done it,” said Debbie. 24 Helipad
daat.org
Our Patients
Meeting Mary Debbie is a fitness instructor who loves running because it helps to improve her mental health. Over the years Debbie has utilised her fitness classes to organise many fundraising runs, classes and group activities for DAA. In 2008, at one of her fitness classes in Tiverton, Debbie met Mary who would soon become her best friend and biggest supporter. Mary said: “Debbie and I first met in January 2008 when I moved to Tiverton, and I attended one of her exercise classes. Fitness has always been very important to me, and it was through classes that I made new friends. “I started running, which hadn’t really been something I’d done before, but I found I really enjoyed it. I started entering events with Debbie and other friends. “It was truly Debbie’s enthusiasm for us to try something new that gave us all the confidence to enter events. Most of us were middle-aged women who probably wouldn’t have had the courage otherwise. In 2015, Debbie and I both obtained ballot places in the London Marathon - my very first marathon. We trained together since we found out we had places.
best friend, Mary, who helped to organise everything from the locations to advertising and even making sure they had collection tins to maximise the funds raised. Debbie and Mary’s commitment to this awe-inspiring challenge, their friendship and their shared commitment to supporting our lifesaving service had a huge impact on so many people throughout the year. Experienced runners and total novices were invited to join Debbie for sections of each marathon and their story was even picked up and shared by BBC Radio.
Debbie & Mary
“Over the years, our friendship has just grown. We’ve helped each other through difficult times and happy times and we are the very best of friends. “When Debbie told me of her idea for 60 marathons in her 60th year I told her “Great! We can do this if we plan it really well”. And we did just that.” Throughout this momentous challenge, Debbie has said that she simply could not have succeeded without the support of her
Challenge Completed Debbie ran her 60th marathon on New Year’s Eve 2024 at Saunton Beach. In total, she has raised over £4,000 from this challenge, contributing to her years of fundraising and support for DAA. Debbie’s determination and generosity continue to inspire so many in her community and beyond. We are extremely grateful for everything she has done. Congratulations on such an extraordinary achievement, Debbie!
Thank you! daat.org
Saving lives. Together 25
Can you help keep our crew responding by donating to our Summer Appeal? As we gear up for the busy summer months, we need your support to ensure we remain ready to respond to the most time-critical emergencies across Devon and beyond. As the weather improves and we start to enjoy everything that our beautiful county has to offer, including vast moorland, dramatic coastline and beautiful countryside, we need to be mission ready! But operating our essential service comes at a cost. Each mission costs an average of £4,500 and with the surge in demand that we experience during the summer, your donation could make a real difference to somebody’s loved one. Our specialist crew is always prepared to respond swiftly, by air and by road. And last year, we were tasked to over 2,450 incidents across the county. One of those was to help 4-year-old Zalan, who, while enjoying a day out with his family at Dartmoor’s Haytor Rocks, was kicked in the face by a horse - a sudden, serious injury that needed an urgent response.
Zalan’s Story
Zalan’s fun, family day out took a shocking turn as the family were getting out of their car and preparing for their walk. Young Zalan, despite words of warning from his mum, strayed a little too close to the wild horses and one of them was spooked. In an instant, calm turned to chaos when the startled horse kicked out, striking Zalan in his face. His mother, Zsanett, recalled: ‘Hearing Zalan’s screams, I immediately ran to him shouting to our friends to call the ambulance’. The call came in at our Exeter airbase. In just a few minutes, our unmistakable Critical Care Car arrived on scene, bringing Zalan’s family hope in their moment of horror. Advanced Prehospital Paramedic, Alex, swiftly assessed Zalan’s condition, helping to calm him. Terrified and shaken, Zalan was unable to open his eye, which raised concerns that the trauma had caused more serious damage to his brain. We airlifted Zalan to Torbay Hospital, where doctors immediately prepared for an MRI scan. The scan revealed that there was no brain injury, though Zalan still faced a difficult recovery, undergoing surgery to repair his broken lips, remove damaged teeth and fix the deep cuts on his chin. Thanks to timely decision making by Alex and the crew, Zalan was able to return home to his family to rest and recover. Zsanett expressed her appreciation: ‘We’re so thankful to the incredible team at Devon Air Ambulance. Everyone was so nice. They were brilliant and kept us calm. I really am grateful.’ As Zalan continues to heal, his family is reminded of the team that helped save his life, and the vital role of the service across the county.
“
We’re so thankful to the incredible team at Devon Air Ambulance. Everyone was so nice. They were brilliant and kept us calm. I really am grateful.
Barnstaple
Zalan’s mother Zsanett
14 21
North Devon
Bideford
Torridge
Devon is at the heart of everything we do... 26
Helipad
Mid D
West Devon Tavistock
Teignbr
9 Totnes Plymouth
South Hams
14
How you can help? With the summer holidays approaching, Devon’s beauty inspires residents and visitors alike to get outside to explore. But for my crewmates and me the summer months also bring a sharp rise in missions. This is why we now need your kind support.
How you can help?
With thetraffic summer approaching, Devon’s beauty Greater andholidays increased outdoor activity, plus inspires residents and visitors alike to get outside to a the influx of visitors, increase our costs by nearly half explore. But for our crew the summer months also bring million pounds each summer. From coastal and remote a sharp rise in missions. This is why we now need your rural locations, such as Dartmoor, to accidents at home, kindhighly-skilled support. our crew is in high demand, delivering critical care and hospital-level procedures at the scene. Greater traffic and increased outdoor activity, plus the influx of visitors, increase our costs half a Every mission we attend, by road or by by air,nearly is possible million pounds each summer. From coastal and remote thanks to the generosity of people like you. Whether it’s rural locations, such as Dartmoor, to accidents at home, a life-threatening incident or a medical emergency, we our highly-skilled crew is in high demand, delivering can reach those in need when every second counts. critical care and hospital-level procedures at the scene. Together, we can save lives this summer. Every donation, mission we road by air,us is closer possible Every noattend, matterby the size,orbrings thanks to the generosity of people like you. Whether it’s to funding the next mission. a life-threatening incident or a medical emergency, we can reach those in need when every second counts.
Thank you! Alex Sanders-Page
Advanced Prehospital Paramedic
Summer Appeal
Your gift Saves lives We undertook 100 more missions in Summer 2024 compared to Winter 2023. This is approximately
£500,000
in additional costs. A gift today of £20 could help towards fuel costs, while £45
would equip us with a supply of the Ambrose teddy bears we use to comfort every child we assist. A donation of £100 could contribute to the maintenance of our
helicopters and cars, ensuring they remain ready to respond.
12 Tiverton
Devon
Honiton
6
Exeter
East Devon
ridge
59 Torbay
Donate easily & securely online
= number of missions in the area, summer 2024
Daat.org/helipad-summer-25 or return the enclosed donation form in the pre-paid envelope
Saving lives. Together
27
R E T R O P SUP spotlight
supporters Thank you to all our incredible sity makes — your dedication and genero er you’re a lifesaving difference. Wheth , we are very featured in this section or not who plays grateful to every fundraiser ponding. res a vital role in keeping us
A MASSIVE THANK YOU to each and every one of our supporters! teams at Tony Taylor Tony Taylor and the 65 through £6,1 ed rais , Club Woodbury Park Golf tenure. his ing dur rts effo ing various fundrais -serving long t, men ieve ach ive To mark this impress club to accept volunteer, Simon Card visited the the cheque.
yoga in the Emma French-Mullen teaches donated the and Hall Teign Valley Community £144. ‘Our lling tota , ses proceeds from two clas Devon of ices serv the n villages depend upo emely extr all are ‘We s. Air Ambulance,’ she say this take to t wan and t grateful for your suppor t tha all for y, erel sinc , you opportunity to thank us.’ for you do
28 Helipad
an actionJade Turner organised and held tion, disco auc e, raffl a with Ball packed Christmas bulance and the and meal in aid of Devon Air Am ing £6,000. Farming Community Network, rais
to Charles ‘Titch’ A Tractor Run took place thanks , ‘Local friends said Scott and friends, raising £155. He support. You lend to who live rurally rallied together and farms, elds fi see the helicopter fly over your ts.’ den going to and from inci
Club sadly closed When the Women’s Challenge s, it was agreed after 30 years of outdoor activitie aining funds to that they would donate any rem uding £1,106 which three emergency charities, incl . was gratefully received by DAA
is delighted to The West Dartmoor Art Group raffle tickets of sale the support DAA through on. Over ibiti exh art ual each year at its ann e an raisine to Eng & ed ry help hine has Mac up grotor, theTrac rs, on t Dev the Easyea on will ibiti rity exh t Cha nex ng Spri The e. ual dat tor ann thei £4,991 leheld Club incredib from tors Hall trac ge ty Villa Thir y il. Tav Apr r in Pete the d Run Roa held tor in be Trac on to Pynes 2025. ustingd Farr h Aug -16t s from mile travelled 279th for a lunch n, erto Salt h Farm Shop, Budleig Harding, eled Sorr and r, age rais Man l ns era atio Gen , don Julie Finn stop. A raffle and ea rais to sed plea. r, wer age fore DAA 0.00 Assistant Man£32 se Hou t ran Dur wonderful total of £500 at the was es nde atte Hotel Christmas Party. One of the ed. sav crew a dear friend whose life our
daat.org
Tim Rosenburgh and Frasier Mor rison climbed 3,635 ft to the top of Mount Mea llea Bhuiridh Glencoe, in memory of Tim’s siste r, Karen, who sadly passed away on 5th May 2024. Along with raising money for the Scottish Mountain Rescue, and Children with Cancer, Tim raised £185.
Emma from Antiques and Mor e in Lynton created her own lucky dip-styl e fundraiser, raising £42 - despite the bad weather! Emma then kindly donated the unselec ted items to her nearest DAA shop.
Kate Crane, Debbie Clark and Amber Leach from Wallingbrook Medical Cen tre Nursing Team each completed a 15,000 ft skydive, raising a staggering £2,162!
Bradworthy Young Farmers put their best fundraising foot forward, raising a staggering £2,680. Volunteers, Sandra and Alan Crawley, took delight in meeting the gro up to receive this very generous donation.
Chris Bramble hosts a yearly ride -out day in memory of his son, Daryl, who sadly passed away in October 2021. Chris rais ed £270 from the most recent ride-out and is planning to hold another in October this yea r. Last year, with the support of some good friends, Jenny Tuckett opened her garden to the public. Selling tea and cake and giving talks in support of our cause, she raised an incredible £2,500! Jenny is already planning her next open garden this year on 13th & 15th June. On Christmas Eve every year, the Devon Trax riders take to the trails dressed as Father Christmas! Seeing a convoy of Santas in fake beards, red suits and tinsel on motorbikes always brings smiles!
Thanks to the Sidmouth Lions for their generous donation of £1,300 from the pro ceeds of their annual Duck Derby. Community Fundraiser, Steffan, and shop manager, Ger i, were pleased to accept the cheque at our Sidm outh shop.
Regular supporter, Sheila Booth, is 86 years old and loves doing jigsaws! For ove r ten years, she has been collecting and selling puzzles, and donates the proceeds to DAA. To date, she has raised over £2,000 – that’s a lot of puzzles!
i
If you’re planning to raise mo ney for us, no matter how big or sma ll your fundraising goal, we would love to hear from you! We’re here to suppor t you every step of the way, so start your fundraising journey with us tod ay and help make a lifesaving differe nce.
Visit daat.org/fundraising
Saving lives. Together
29
2,025 2025 trainees in
T
Help us to reach our trainee target – learn more about CPR and defibrillator training events near you!
his year we are committing to training at least 2,025 people across Devon on how to use defibrillators and perform CPR, improving the likelihood of survival for the most critically ill patients in our area. Cardiac arrest can strike unexpectedly, and knowing how to respond can make all the difference. In fact, 80% of cardiac arrests occur at home, and tragically, only about 1 in 10 people survive. Early CPR and defibrillation significantly improve someone’s chances of survival, which is why learning CPR and knowing how to use a defibrillator are crucial skills everyone should possess.
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Performing CPR immediately can help maintain blood flow to vital organs until help arrives. Studies show that defibrillation within 3–5 minutes of collapse can increase the chances of survival to an astounding 50–70%. Without timely CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival decrease dramatically. For each minute that passes without intervention, the likelihood of surviving and being discharged from the hospital decreases by 10%. Public defibrillators are designed to be easy to use and give audible instructions when activated to enable everyone, regardless of training, to use them. In a cardiac emergency, every second counts, and by learning CPR and how to use a defibrillator your help could make the difference between life and death. Investing a little time in learning these lifesaving skills not only empowers you to act in a crisis but also increases survival rates in someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest. 30 Helipad
Get trained Save a life! Learn CPR and how to use a defib with our crew across Devon this summer. We will be demonstrating the simple steps you’ll need throughout the day.
Summer 2025 CPR & Defibrillator 15/05/2025
Devon County Show
16/05/2025
Devon County Show
17/05/2025
Devon County Show
28/06/2025
Armed Forces Day - Plymouth Ho
29/06/2025
Dragon Boat festival - Exeter Qua
26/07/2025
Mid Devon Show
09/08/2025
Inflatable 5K Westpoint
14/08/2025
Okehampton Show
15/08/2025
Beer Regatta Emergency Service
06/09/2025
Kingsbridge Show daat.org
Campaigns
CPR on the Slopes Paramedic Rhiannon steps in while skiing in Poland “I wasn’t expecting to be involved in any resuscitation attempts whilst not at work but whilst snowboarding in Poland I came across a collapsed man on the slope. I quickly recognised that he was in cardiac arrest and immediately began basic life support, performing CPR for around 10 minutes. Ski patrol arrived and I helped them apply the defibrillator, delivering a shock to the patient. They also had airway equipment, which I used to support the patient’s ventilation. When the ambulance crew arrived, they continued the resuscitation, communicating in English to ensure I could remain actively involved. After a tense period, the patient’s heart began to beat, and he started breathing again. He was then airlifted to a specialist cardiac centre for further care.
Training Days
This event reinforced how essential early CPR and defibrillation are in saving lives—without them it’s likely this man wouldn’t have recovered. The whole experience also inspired my snowboarding non-medic partner, Gareth, to learn CPR, highlighting how even in the most unexpected situations, knowing CPR can truly make a difference.”
oe
ay
es Day - 12 noon - 5pm
daat.org/cardiac
Saving lives. Together
31
A Delightful Dartmoor Folly In her own words... patient Terry Jones wrote to us to recount her rescue story.
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n a sunny Sunday morning, 23rd April 2023, my friend Margaret and I departed our delightful Duchy Hotel, Princetown. Two Cornish maids with a friendship of 65 years headed for fascinating Dartmoor. Armed with a guidebook, jackets, mobile phone, hats and gloves, we travelled 4.5 miles, loving the moorland ponies, some sheep and just the broad expanse of the moor. All was going well; we met an on-coming fellow walker who was on a sponsored walk. He said he’d just fallen into the river up to his waist so advised us to cross further down. Having hopped over many streams, I spotted a narrower spot, owing myself two strides to get momentum up I simply stride across the water, alas I landed on my front. I wondered why I could not rise to my feet, so I rolled over onto my back and scooted further back from the stream. Margaret said, “Are you alright Terry?” I calmly replied “No, I think I’ve broken my ankle”. She immediately instigated an amazing chain of events. I stretched out on the peat boggy moor, my hands behind my head in the strong sunshine. Prior to that I checked the state of my left ankle by flipping it from side to side, slightly perplexed as to why I could do that. I could hear Margaret steadily speaking to a call handler when I saw a cluster of folks coming towards the river. They called “Is everything alright?” And within seconds I was surrounded by the kindliest efficient, quietly yet systematically organised crew I could have wished to meet. Everyone gave some lifesaving item - two silver blankets, three woolen hats. Oh, the comfort of these folk. Steve Marriott, an ex-medic, although are you ever an ex-medic? - gave directions and the What3Words app pinpointed our exact position. 32 Helipad
Alice, Tom, Tracy and Jon gave me support but the key saint in all this drama was Sarah Barker. This stranger who was instantly my friend, crouched down on my right side, took my hand and never let go! She made eye contact with me and started quietly talking. She told me special and ordinary things, which kept me engrossed. I told her a few jokes. I was shivering uncontrollably deep inside my core, so I willed myself to be relaxed, and the shivers momentarily left me. Sarah’s eyes were locked on mine, the sun had left, and large raindrops began to fall. I tried to hold onto a small scrap of warmth deep inside, saying to Sarah “I’m going to close my eyes for a few seconds”, but she would not let me and said “Terry keep your eyes on me, and tell me about your favourite places to be!”, I wanted to just sleep. I heard Sarah say, “Can you hear the helicopter?” and sure enough, amidst the very heavy rain this red mirage appeared on my side of the stream. I glanced at my body and saw all the foil. My father was a West Cornwall man, and he would have said “my dear little maid, you’re trussed up like a sick ferret.” I felt like an oven-ready Turkey! However, prior to the Air Ambulance landing, I gave them a wave to let them know I was OK. At around this time I was aware that more skilled people were with us, the daring Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (DSRT). I felt completely at ease knowing I was in such good hands and now the red uniformed Flying DAA Doctor assumed gentle but proficient command offering gratitude to the Redoubtable Ramblers, DSRT and my friend Margaret, he asked them to step back so he (Superb Simon) could assess me. Flying Doctor Simon Laing, what a guy! So smart, blond daat.org
Our Patients
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This stranger who was instantly my friend, crouched down on my right side, took my hand and never let go! She made eye contact with me and started quietly talking. She told me special and ordinary things, which kept me engrossed. I told her a few jokes... hair, eyes of blue and Hamish, my Celtic cousin, the somewhat shy but oh so handsome Josh, such potential. What a crew! From the outset I made a pledge to myself not to be a wimp, so instead I kept telling jokes. The Doctor gave me a head-to-toe check and asked my medical history. His fine-tuned skills just amazed me. Doctor Simon slipped a canula into my right arm so succinctly, I didn’t even know he had done it. Oh my goodness, the rain and ketamine ensued, and I went down murky brown tunnels and continual trapdoors always aware that my hip was being pulled out of my acetabulum. I am so in debt to Steve Marriott, Sarah and Tracy because they ensured Margaret was safely back at the delightful Duchy Hotel in Princetown. My deep thanks to the DSRT who assisted me on a stretcher and, in all that heavy rain, carefully protected my now splinted left leg and risked life and limb going back over the Strane River.
Simon, Josh and Hamish, sincere gratitude to you all. After 40 years of nursing in different countries, giving the care, this is the first time in 74 years I’ve been on the receiving end of such fantastic emergency care.
Have you been assisted? Nobody expects to need our specialist medical help, but throughout our 30-year history, over 31,000 people have. The personal account of your experience will be incredibly powerful in encouraging more people to support our charity. With your approval and agreement, your story may feature in our Helipad magazine, on our website, or in other media. If we’ve helped you or a family member and you would like to share your story with us, please complete the form at the website address below or scan the QR code and a member of our team will be in touch to have a chat. daat.org/your-story
I am filled with humility and awe; my mother fundraised for the very first Air Ambulance in Britain, Cornwall Air Ambulance, and continued to support such a fine service. daat.org
Saving lives. Together
Are you over 60? Do you drive? If so, we need to talk… With age comes experience – you can’t argue with that. Many seniors have decades of driving experience, making them some of the safest and most proficient road users out there. However, advancing years can also make driving considerably more difficult. Whether it’s a medical condition, disability, poor eyesight, medication, slower reactions or general mobility issues, there are a number of factors we should all consider when getting behind the wheel. Sadly, last year saw a sharp increase in the number of serious collisions involving older drivers (those aged 60 and over) on Devon roads. In 2024, almost 50% of the fatal collisions in our region involved an older driver. But it’s not just a problem that affects the South West. Nationally, between 2004 and 2023, there’s been a 12% increase in fatal or serious collisions involving at least one older car driver.
How do I know if I should still be driving? Knowing whether or not you should still be driving is tough. It’s a decision which takes honesty and often some real courage. Here are a few things you should consider when thinking about this choice: Is my eyesight good enough? You need to be able to see clearly. By law, you should be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. It’s also important to know that your vision at night worsens as you get older – as well as your ability to recover from headlight glare. As well as this, age can reduce your peripheral vision by 20-30 degrees when you reach the age of 70, so spotting vulnerable road users like cyclists can get harder. How’s my health? Medical conditions can impact our ability to drive safely. Whether it’s arthritis, diabetes or a heart condition, it’s important you let the DVLA know about these conditions. Some medications can also have an adverse effect. If you’re in any doubt at all, speak to your GP.
Making the decision to stop driving is not an easy one – but no one wants to put themselves or others at risk if we’re not safe behind the wheel. And, importantly, this doesn’t have to mean the end of your independence. Here we take a look at what you need to consider when making this important decision, what the law says, and what alternatives are available if you do decide to hang up your driving gloves.
The road safety partnership working hard to reduce fatal and serious collisions in Devon & Cornwall
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In association with Vision Zero South West
Are others road users frustrated with my driving? Whether it’s a driver honking their horn or a cyclist gesturing at you - if other road users are frequently frustrated by your driving, you may be making more mistakes or struggling to keep up with the flow of traffic. Am I making little mistakes? Have you had any parking-bumps or near misses recently? Minor errors of judgement can be warning signs ahead of a more serious accident. What do the people I trust make of my driving? Have close friends or relatives told you your driving makes them feel unsafe? This could be an awkward conversation for them, so be brave and ask a regular passenger for their honest opinion. Have I done everything I can to help myself? If you find busy roads stressful, are you planning your journeys at times when there’s less traffic? If long journeys feel daunting, have you thought about getting a train or bus?
Relax, enjoy the journey and let someone else do the driving...
What do I do if I have a medical condition? Did you know, if you suffer from any medical condition or disability that could affect your ability to drive safely, you have to inform the DVLA. These are called ‘notifiable’ conditions and you must tell the DVLA as soon as you are diagnosed or if an existing condition gets worse. Failure to do so could result in a £1,000 fine and can also invalidate your insurance. Notifiable conditions can include (but are not limited to): • Diabetes (or taking insulin) • Heart conditions • Glaucoma (or any condition which affects your sight) • Sleep Apnoea • Epilepsy • Strokes • Syncope (fainting) Although the DVLA has the power to take someone’s licence away if they are concerned, this is not the only outcome. They may decide that you need to take a new driving test, fit special controls to your vehicle or put a time limit on your licence for up to 5 years. For more information visit: gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving
How can I keep my independence? Driving offers unbridled freedom – but ditching the car doesn’t mean losing your independence. Here are just a few of the options open to you: • Free buses • Train travel • Taxi • Get a lift • Community Transport
Are you an older driver looking for advice on buying a suitable vehicle, motoring on a budget or even buying the safest car seats for your grandchilden? DriveOn Magazine has everything you need to know.
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Fundraising
Club captains’ fundraising triumph Jim Stewart and Pam Adams had a busy year fundraising at Thurlestone Golf Club.
challenge at which Jim, along with Colin George, Chris Jones, and Toby White, teed off as early as 4 am. Pam and others joined for rounds and caddying, and fuelled by bacon baps and coffee, the team completed 23.5 miles in under 10 hours. This was made possible with incredible support from the pro shop, greenkeeping, admin, bar, and catering support as well as generous members, raising around £5,000! Together they held traditional Captains’ Days with golf and other fun activities, raising a further £1,500 through member contributions – fantastic given these were not the main charity event.
Jim and Pam (Club Captain and Ladies’ Captain respectively) chose us as their 2024 Captains’ Joint Charity for our lifesaving work in remote areas. Pam, a physiotherapist, and her GP father, were both familiar with the challenges of delivering rural emergency care themselves, while Jim has experienced the impact of our service first-hand. Throughout their captaincy, they focused on fundraising through diverse activities involving all the club’s members, beginning with the Captain’s Summer Singout, at which the two singing Captains and their choruses entertained a packed clubhouse.
Incredible activities
The Summer Solstice event featured a 72-hole golf
Meanwhile, the Captain’s Joint Charity Day, featured golf perks, pro team shot buys, and an auction of 20 items that raised an incredible £10,000. Additional events included night golf, Bake-Off events, arts & crafts, as well as a coffee morning, boosting the total to over £20,100 and counting! As both captains approach the end of their captaincy year, Jim and Pam agreed: ‘It has been an absolute pleasure to support Devon Air Ambulance in our year as Captains at Thurlestone Golf Club, and the members and staff have really got behind us and been involved in all our organised fundraising activities. We’d like to send a huge thank you to everyone at the Club: we couldn’t have done it without you!’
Saving lives. Together On behalf of everyone at Devon Air Ambulance, thank you, Jim and Pam, for your dedication and determination in raising Uncoatedthose vital funds. Coated
If you are a current or upcoming captain or president seeking a charity to support, contact fundraising@daat.org — we’d love to help you and your club to fundraise for our lifesaving missions. 36 Helipad
out&about
Your continuing support ensures that our crews can carry out their lifesaving work throughout the entire county, in our towns, cities and villages, on our coast and right across the wildest parts of our county and beyond.
Life
President meets new CEO
A meeting of great heights and humble beginnings for Greg and Ann at BBC Radio Devon!
Good neighbours Associate Medical Director and paramedic, Cat Hawkins, makes a new friend in a rural location.
Training the next generation Paramedic, Josh, working with trainee paramedics at Exeter airbase.
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Missions Not a
spectator sport...
Crew assist with a ‘mass incident’ training day at Plymouth football club.
A grizzly descent... Ambrose Bear is already looking forward to this year’s abseil event!
Time for tea... Community & Events Manager Lottie gets involved selling cakes at a busy Bake Off for Take Off event in Tavistock. The event raised over £3,000.
Haytor View pledges £1,000 donation from every home sold
A local residential park close to Ipplepen is supporting our work as part of their commitment to assisting essential services that benefit rural communities.
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If you have a great picture of a Devon Air Ambulance helicopter or Critical Care Car please do send it in via email to helipad@daat.org and we’ll do our best to feature it in a future issue. Saving lives. Together 39
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Registered Charity No. 1077998 1077998
Saving Lives. Together Devon’s beautiful but vast rural landscape means that we don’t always work alone. Our crew often attend incidents with local Search & Rescue teams, the Southwest Ambulance Service and other emergency responders, as former patient Jane Skelly’s story illustrates.
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n Saturday 8th February this year, our crew were tasked to an incident on Dartmoor.
Jane Skelly was enjoying a family walk, setting off from Exeter and parking in Belstone with her daughter, her son, his girlfriend and their two children. The family group embarked on a trek amongst the stunning scenery around Higher Tor. “We were following the path, and it didn’t seem that steep to me but about three quarters of the way up I started to feel a little dizzy and sick. I persevered and when I reached the top, I still didn’t feel well so I sat down on a stone wall and had a water break. That was all I can vaguely remember before seeing the water fall on to the floor. My daughter described me as looking like the ‘Scream’ mask, my eyes were wide open and staring ahead but I wasn’t moving and suddenly I became limp and passed out.” Jane’s daughter, who completed a degree in Emergency Sector Management and Interoperability, put her training into action and called 999 giving the dispatcher their what3words location before putting her mum into the recovery position. The dispatcher asked her if there was a defibrillator close by but due to their remote location, this was out of the question. Due to the unknown cause of her fainting, Devon Air Ambulance and the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue team were both tasked to assist Jane. Jane said, “I have never been through anything like this before and I was overwhelmed by everyone turning out for me. The land ambulance came all the way from Ilfracombe and as I started to come round, I could hear the air ambulance overhead. The cloud was too thick for the aircraft to land by the tor, so they had to land at Okehampton Football Field. The North Dartmoor Search and Rescue team walked up from another direction to help me. Everyone was amazing!”
daat.org
Our Patients
Teamwork in action
The Search & Rescue Hill Parties team arrived first and took charge, with their team Doctor assessing Jane at the scene. She was starting to feel better so they escorted her back down the hill where they handed over to a waiting land ambulance paramedic team. Thankfully for Jane and her family, her condition was not critical enough to require intervention from our critical care crew so they were stood down. Jane was given an ECG (electrocardiogram), a test that records the electrical activity of your heart including the rate and rhythm, and the results showed that she didn’t need to be taken to hospital and could return home with instructions to rest and call her GP first thing on the Monday morning. Jane is still undergoing tests but is otherwise feeling well and still enjoying long walks and time spent outdoors with her family. Jane told us, ‘I was so impressed with the response of the Devon Air Ambulance, although I was lucky enough not to need their special care, I wanted to donate to the charity and share my story to show my support. I’m very appreciative of both DAA and Dartmoor Search & Rescue for attending. “We all learnt a lesson that day, that no matter how prepared you are or how fit and healthy you think you are, you never know when you might require these amazing services. I can’t sing everyone’s praises enough – it was all so surreal on the day!”
Thank you, Jane, for sharing your story with us! Share your story If we’ve helped you or a family member and you would like to share your story, visit:
daat.org/your-story
Saving lives. Together
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Pro bono
publico Junior lawyers raise funds with raffle, run and pub quiz.
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s a charity that exists entirely thanks to the support of the communities we serve, we are grateful for their generosity - not least that of our corporate partners.
The Devon and Somerset Junior Lawyers Division (DSJLD) is one such champion. The DSJLD regularly hosts networking, educational and social events, collaborating with local law firms, charities, and businesses within and outside of the legal sector. Last year, they chose to support us alongside Hospiscare and the Exeter City Community Trust Foundation. Their fundraising and awareness-raising efforts included a charity raffle, participation in the Exeter 10K run and a lively charity pub quiz, all helping to raise funds and inspire community support for our lifesaving work.
DSJLD’s commitment beyond the legal profession and to the wider community is a fantastic example of how our corporate partnerships have helped to support our service, as Chloe-Ann RobertsHawkey, Associate at Foot Anstey LLP, describes:
Tracy Hepper, DAA Corporate Partnership Manager welcomes corporate support: “Partnering with us not only celebrates social responsibility, but it fosters a sense of pride and unity among employees who fundraise and volunteer for us, strengthening and building goodwill within the local community.” Contact t.hepper@daat.org to find out more about becoming a corporate partner or visit our website: daat.org/corporate
Tracy Hepper
Corporate Partnership Manager
“We were proud to partner with Devon Air Ambulance in 2024. Through this collaboration, we aimed to make a meaningful impact by supporting DAA’s lifesaving work. Whether through fundraising, raising awareness, or providing vital resources, we felt honoured to play a part in helping the charity continue its essential mission of delivering critical care when it’s needed most – what’s more our team enjoyed themselves! The DAA team are brilliant to work with and we would like to thank them for all the amazing work they do for our community.” Corporate partnerships bring benefits to both the charity and the business supporter. For the charity, corporate support provides a stable source of funding, enabling us to plan ahead. It also helps to raise awareness about our work, reaching a broader audience through the business’s networks.
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Lun Lunch nch & Le LLearn earn
A uniqu unique ue e experience e Give you yourr te team eam an lunch inspiring lun nch break with chance the chan nce to learn about Air Ambulance Devon Ai ir Am mbulance and lifesaving, the lifesa aving g, timecare critical ca are we provide. interactive This inter ractiive session is opportunity a great oppo o ortunity to ask connect,, to a sk questions see the and to se ee th he impact of work.. our work Join us s ffor or an n engaging and insightful a nd insig ghtfu ul session. Contact Tracy T Hepper, Corporat e Part tnership Mana ager Corporate Partnership Manager t.hepper@ @daa at.org. t.hepper@daat.org.
BOOK BOO OK T TODAY ODAY
daat.org
Registered Charity No. 1077998
Prize Crossword
Thank you to crossword enthusiasts who entered our Autumn/Winter 2024 Helipad issue. Carolyn from Paignton is the winner of our year-long family membership generously donated by RHS Gardens Rosemoor. This time around, the lucky winning entry will receive a £50 St Austell Brewery voucher.
Clues Across 1 Black and white nocturnal mammal of the British countryside (6) 4 Minced beef moulded in a tin (8) 10 A substance used to stimulate immunity (8) 11 A highly prized and expensive underground fungus (7) 12 A Scottish loch famous for its monster (4) 13 Tropical fruits with sweet yellow flesh (10) 15 A large quantity of something (9) 16 Nickname someone who lives in the country gives to someone who lives in suburbia (5) 18 A long, narrow hilltop (5) 19 A large port in Belgium (9) 21 A part of Torbay, famous for its funicular railway and model village (10) 22 Warm and cosy (4) 26 Stripey or mottled grey or brown cats (7) 27 Small country completely surrounded by South Africa (7) 28 Large volcanic craters (8) 29 Revoke a law (6)
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Clues Down 1 Ernest, 1881-1951, Labour MP (5) 2 Proper name for a sausage dog (9) 3 A long poem or lavish film, such as Cleopatra (4) 5 At the highest or lowest limit (7) 6 Players of a brass instrument used in classical or jazz music (10) 7 Collective name for the edible entrails of animal (5) 8 Any swimming stroke, but usually the front crawl (9) 9 A large division of fighting men in ancient Rome (6) 14 A hormone that increases blood circulation, especially when excited or nervous (10) 15 Being able to perform gymnastic feats (9) 17 A small, open-sided horse drawn carriage (9) 19 An unusual hallucination of animals (7) 20 To preserve a corpse (6) 22 Famous tower referenced in Genesis (5) 24 A phantom or spirit, often evil (5) 25 A small, separate land mass surrounded by water (4)
How to enter (and terms & conditions)
Complete the crossword to reveal the letters in the shaded boxes – simply solve the anagram to identify a word relating to DAA. Enter online at www.daat.org/crossword or by writing your name, contact details and the answer on a postcard and posting to : The Editor, Helipad Crossword Competition Spring/Summer 2025, Devon Air Ambulance, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter, EX4 8NS. The competition is free to enter, one entry per person. The closing date for entries is midnight on 30 September 2025 when the successful winning entry will be selected at random. Full Terms and Conditions can be found at: www.daat.org/crossword or by writing to The Editor at the above address.
Autumn 2024 Solution The answer to the anagram was: BOX COLLECTOR ACROSS: 1. Barker 4. Sabbatia 10. Meccano 11. Brixham 12. Idea 13. Trumpeteers 15. Octillion 16. Reiki 18. Egret 19. Mongolian 21. Weedkiller 23. Wane 26. Entwist 27. Laddish 28. Monogram 29. Brunel DOWN: 1. Bambi 2. Rochester 3. Exam 5. Albumen 6. Bridegroom 7. Tahoe 8. Admission 9. Moirai 14. Blitzkrieg 15. Overwhelm 17. Imitation 19. Militia 20. Needle 22. Eaten 24. Ethel 25. Oder
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Your generous support keeps Devon Air Ambulance crews responding. Sign up today and receive a complimentary Devon Air Ambulance pin badge and show your support with pride.
Keeping in Touch
There are many ways to contact the team at Devon Air Ambulance: daat.org – You’ll find lots of information about the Charity and our service on our website. If you’ve been airlifted or helped by us, go to our Your Patient Story page and tell us your story. daat.org/your-story
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Making a Regular Donation
Service User Number
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Please fill out all boxes in the form with a ball-point pen and send it to: Devon Air Ambulance Trust, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter EX4 8NS Instruction to your bank or building society Please pay Devon Air Ambulance Regular 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 Devon Air Ambulance Regular and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.
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For all sorts of fundraising advice and event information, visit our Get Involved pages. daat.org/fundraising
Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions from some types of account
If you’ve been assisted by DAA, and want to thank the crew visit our Thank the Crew page on our operational website. daatcl.co.uk/thank-the-crew
Telephone
Email us at info@daat.org 01392 466666 Write to us at 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter EX4 8NS
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per month/quarter/year (deleteof asthe appropriate) Please take Direct Debits on 6th/20th month (delete as appropriate) Please take Direct Debits on 6th/20th of the month (delete as appropriate) We take your personal data seriously and do not sell on or share with any We take seriously and domagazine not sell on third party.your If youpersonal would likedata to receive our Helipad or or share with any third party. If you would like to receive ourplease Helipad magazine or occasional information occasional information about the Charity tick: Post ¨ Email ¨ about the Charity please tick: Post ¨ Email ¨ Telephone ¨ SMS Message ¨ I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ ___________ to Devon Air Ambulance ¨ ¨ I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ ___________ to Devon Air Ambulance ¨ I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ ___________ and any donations I make in the ¨ I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ ___________ and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to Devon Air Ambulance future or have made in the past 4 years to Devon Air Ambulance Please notify the charity if you: notify thethe charity if you: •Please Want to cancel declaration Want to your cancel the or declaration •• Change name home address Change or home address •• No longeryour payname sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains • No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains I confirm I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or I confirm I am UK taxpayer and understand that ifofI Gift payAid less Income and/or Capital Gains Taxain the current tax year than the amount claimed on Tax all my Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference. ¨ all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference. ¨ 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 Devon Air Ambulance Regular will notify you five (5) working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Devon Air Ambulance Regular to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given at the time of the request. • If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by Devon Air Ambulance Regular 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 Devon Air Ambulance Regular 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.
This guarantee should be detached and retained by the payee
A Brew
with purpose Crew’s Brew coffee now sold at The Manor Inn, Galmpton
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he Manor Inn in Galmpton has long been a beloved community hub. Just a short walk from the scenic River Dart and Broadsands Beach, it’s the perfect place to unwind with good food and company, and now a new coffee – the sale of which helps to make a real difference.
For years, owners Chris Hodson and Jonathan Smith have championed our lifesaving missions, supporting the service through collection tins and fundraising events. Now, their commitment has expanded by adding Crew’s Brew to the menu; a specially crafted coffee blend created to help fund our service.
Now available at
THE MANOR INN Galmpton
“We have supported Devon Air Ambulance for a number of years,” said Chris and Jonathan. “This service is essential to our community, ensuring that people get the urgent care that they need. By serving Crew’s Brew in our pub and restaurant, we’re contributing towards keeping the helicopter flying and the crew ready to respond.”
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This service is essential to our community, ensuring that people get the urgent care that they need.
As a family-run pub, The Manor Inn is more than just a place to gather - it’s a business with a passion for giving back. A percentage of every cup of Crew’s Brew sold goes towards keeping our vital emergency service operational. So, when you’re popping by for a meal, a fireside drink, or simply to soak up the warm atmosphere, add a Crew’s Brew coffee to your order! Cafés, pubs, restaurants, and businesses across Devon are invited to join us in making a real difference. By serving Crew’s Brew, customers can not only enjoy a quality cup of coffee, but they are giving our service a boost.
To find out how your business can stock Crew’s Brew, contact info@daat.org
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charity fundraiser - fun for the whole family! suitable for ages 5+
SIGN UP TODAY!
Can you help keep our crew responding by donating to our Summer Appeal? See pages 26 & 27 for more details
Alex Sanders-Page
Advanced Prehospital Paramedic
Devon is at the heart of everything we do...