CHARITY
THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES Paul Crutchley was one day into his family holiday in Hayle when he became seriously unwell. What started as a fun trip to the beach, ended with a ride in the air ambulance.
Tourism to the rescue? Cornwall Air Ambulance appeals to tourism businesses for support this summer.
Paul says: “My family and I had travelled from South Wales to Riviera Sands Holiday Park the day before and we were looking forward to another great holiday break at our favourite place. We planned a nice relaxing day on the beach and the weather was amazing. I had been for a swim and was standing in the sea watching my two sons, Ellis and Evan, playing. We were all relaxed and enjoying the nice time after a hard year. “My wife Lindsay joined me when I suddenly felt strange. I turned to say I was going to sit down for a while but did not get the chance. The next thing I can remember is coming round face down in the water.”
In 2020, around 14% of airlifted patients were visitors to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 81 adults and 16 children had a flight they didn’t plan to take while on their holidays. Yet less than 5% of donations to the charity come from the tourism sector. With visitor missions costing nearly half a million pounds each year, the charity is engaging with local visitor resorts and attractions to try and bridge this fundraising gap. Interim CEO of Cornwall Air Ambulance, Steve Murdoch, says: “While four out of five Raising over £9k, patients are local people, it that’s over 4,000 is true that one fifth of the incidents we attend are to holiday-makers who help seriously sick and injured visitors. We need to work in donated! collaboration with tourism businesses across Cornwall to meet the increased cost of trying to save lives when things go horribly wrong for people on holiday. “It’s a win-win for all parties, for the businesses who work with us, the patients whose lives could be saved and for the charity to continue flying to those in need.”
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TALKING TOURISM
Lindsay raised the alarm with RNLI lifeguards who came to assist and called for the ambulance service. With suspected cardiac-related issues, Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to the scene. The helicopter landed nearby on the beach. Critical care paramedics from Cornwall Air Ambulance assessed Paul, before transferring him to the helicopter. He was flown to Royal Cornwall Hospital - a journey which took just ten minutes by air. “The air ambulance was amazing at getting me off the beach fast, which would have been very hard due to the terrain and the fact I am no small lump,” says Paul. “I am on the mend thanks to all the people who helped me and my family that day.” Paul is planning to return to Hayle in the future for another holiday and hopes to meet the crew who helped him.
SUMMER 2021
