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DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2008
real people saving real lives
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Contents P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P12 P13
Vision, Mission, Values Real People Real Lives Objectives 2008 Achievements 2008 Future Plans Giving with Confidence Community and Volunteers Communications and Publications Summary Financial Information With Thanks How You Can Help
Introduction The public benefit provided by Devon Air Ambulance Trust is the relief of injury or sickness through rapid treatment and/or transport to a hospital or other care facility as appropriate. This benefit is available to anyone and everyone in Devon and neighbouring counties, resident or visitor, based on a fixed set of criteria which take account of factors including clinical need, urgency, accessibility and distance to hospital. The use of these criteria in deploying the aircraft is regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure they are rigorously applied. No private benefit is given to anyone. The Trust is continually grateful to those communities, groups, businesses, pubs, clubs and other organisations that truly value the service and raise money to keep the two Devon Air Ambulance helicopters flying.
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Vision, Mission, Values Vision Our vision for Devon is an outstanding, independent and efficient air ambulance service, available to all, 24 hours a day.
Mission Our mission is to relieve sickness and injury in the county of Devon by assisting in the provision of an Air Ambulance Service.
Values All our activities are informed by our values, which include community, voluntary service, professionalism, independence and availability to all. Community – the Trust’s roots are firmly planted within the needs and wishes of the community we serve. Volunteers – the Trust recognises that its volunteers are essential to the charity through their contribution to fundraising, community involvement, public relations, administration, practical support and campaigning and will invest in training and developing our volunteer force. Professionalism – the Trust is committed to professionalism in all aspects of its work in order to ensure it delivers the best possible service within the resources available. Independence – the Trust is completely independent of central or local government. Availability to all – the Devon Air Ambulance service is free of charge and available to everyone.
DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST ANNUAL REVIEW 2008
We fly an average of
5
missions per day
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“I was crushed by a falling steel shutter, which nearly cut me in half. This led to a hindquarter and leg amputation. If it wasn’t for the Devon Air Ambulance, I would have died from loss of blood.” Dave Farr
Pictured Pilot Johnnie Ecclestone
Real People There are many different groups of people that play a vital role in making the service possible and without whom it would cease to exist. Each Air Ambulance has a team of six paramedics and two pilots, all of whom are highly experienced in their fields giving them the specialist skills required to work in often challenging and traumatic circumstances. Behind the scenes they are supported by the despatch team in control, who monitor all the 999 calls to identify those which the aircraft are needed for and liaise with callers, police, hospitals, land crews and any other agencies who might need to be involved. Supporting this work are all the staff and volunteers of the Trust without whom the money would dry up and the service fold. As well as the paid staff, led by Chief Executive Heléna Holt and the Senior Management Team, we benefit from a Board of Trustees. Together they ensure the charity is not just compliant with the myriad rules and regulations governing charitable companies but is one of the best managed charities in the country. Beyond the charity are all the wonderful people who help save lives by maintaining the service through workplace fundraising, gifts in kind, pro bono professional support, individual feats of stamina or adventure, recycling their unwanted items through our shops or leaving a gift in their will. There are also many organisations making a difference: Bond Air Services, who we lease our North Devon helicopter from, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary who maintain and pilot our own aircraft from the Exeter airbase and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust who employ our amazing lifesaving paramedics. Without a shadow of a doubt the continuing support and dedication of all these people is what enables us to keep on saving lives now and in the future.
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Saving Real Lives Because of patient confidentiality, the charity is unable to quantify patient outcomes. We can quantify the number of patients treated on scene or conveyed to hospital, the types of incidents dealt with and the criteria for despatch. However, we are not able to track their recovery further than handover to the receiving hospital unless the patient or their family contact us afterwards or by contacting them in those cases where the press have been able to identify the patient and report their story. Through these, we have received some very strong and often moving anecdotal evidence of the impact the service has had not only for the patients but also their families, friends and wider communities. Where patients give us their permission these stories are featured in our five newsletters, websites and other publications to demonstrate to the public the real difference their support has made. Here are just a few examples: Toby Oakes fell through a glass door at home in a rural area and suffered severe lacerations. Within 20 minutes of calling 999, Toby was being treated at the scene by our crew before being conveyed to hospital, a journey which took just 15 minutes, compared to approximately 40 minutes by land. His mum Rosey wrote to us saying “Thank you so much for coming to us when Toby hurt his arms on our glass front door – I have never been so pleased to see anyone!” Toby also wrote to us saying “Thank you for coming to save me and giving me a ride to hospital. I had never been in a helicopter and I was not intending to in that way!” Tiverton schoolboy Ben Steer feared the worst when a rugby tackle landed him on his back on a frost-hardened pitch and a ruck trapped him under a lot of other players. Ben told us his story and said “The paramedics strapped me on a board. I was frightened but they were nice, and when we got on board they offered me a teddy and said ‘don’t worry you will be OK and we won’t tell your rugby friends about the bear’. I got to hospital by Air Ambulance in just 3 minutes. By car it would have taken 25 minutes. The Air Ambulance were brilliant and I don’t know how to thank them enough.”
Toby Oakes with sister Daisy
Ben Steer
The direct cost of a mission averages
£1,190
Derek Viner was walking from Westward Ho! to Clovelly, when he was stung by an insect. He rapidly developed an allergic reaction to the sting. He wrote to us saying “I was finding it hard to swallow and was short of breath and feeling overcome by it. I was able to call 999 on my mobile and within a short time the helicopter was enroute as the ground ambulance could not reach me. Your crew found me quickly and their efficiency, humour and kindness is an abiding memory as is the relief I experienced to be treated so quickly after my call for help.” Derek Viner
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“I am so grateful to the Air Ambulance for airlifting me. I lost my leg, but I’m still about and walking. Thank you so much.” Sarah Oke
Objectives for 2008 • Complete the acquisition of the new EC135 Air Ambulance for the Exeter operation. • Acquire planning permission to build a permanent airbase for the North Devon operation. • Achieve a successful transfer of the Exeter operation from Bond Air Services Limited to Devon & Cornwall Police. • Successfully launch the new aircraft. • Establish a full-time dedicated emergency despatch team based on the pilot project initiated by the charity in 2005. • Maintain 365-day operations at both bases providing 10 hours of cover a day, rising to 12 hours in summer.
Strategies for Achieving the Objectives The strategies employed to achieve these objectives were: • Clear and effective internal and external communications to raise awareness of the need for, and effectiveness of, the service. • Provide a wide range of straightforward ways for people and businesses to donate money, time or gifts in kind. • Maintain excellent relations with our key operational and supply partners. • Invest in training and development for both staff and volunteers. • Streamline business processes to ensure the best use of resources available.
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Achievements in 2008 Aircraft Acquisition – On 28 August 2008 the charity celebrated 16 years of successful operation with completion of the acquisition of a new Eurocopter EC135 Air Ambulance, registration G-DVAA. The aircraft was launched on National Air Ambulance Day, 26 September 2008, and went into service a week later. The decision to purchase as opposed to leasing the new aircraft was financial. It was anticipated that we would achieve significant savings on operational costs within the first seven years. However, operational cost savings are already evident and the long-term projections indicate the capital value of the aircraft will hold up very well. Planning Permission – North Devon District Council awarded full planning permission on 21 July 2008 for the erection of a hangar and helipad. Transfer of Operations – Ownership of the new EC135 brought new responsibilities in terms of flying, maintenance and engineering operations and personnel. The charity developed an innovative solution with Devon & Cornwall Police Authority, with whom DAAT already share an operational base at Middlemoor in Exeter, where the police’s existing skills, experience and facilities in these areas support the operation of G-DVAA. Dispatch Team – Following an initiative by DAAT, a dedicated despatch service has been established within the South West Ambulance Trust control room, greatly improving the speed and quality of deployment. Specially trained dispatchers provide full-time cover across all the hours of operation. This vital role ensures the service is targeted at those most in need and for whom the greatest benefit will be gained from deploying an Air Ambulance, significantly reducing the percentage of missions stood down.
In 2008
1482 people were flown to hospital
Statistics – Operational stand down rate has fallen from 44% in 2007 to 31% for 2008. At the same time, the total number of patients treated and/or conveyed to hospital rose from 890 in 2007 to 1102 in 2008. This demonstrates a significant improvement in the effectiveness of deployment. Operational Availability – The service was maintained at the same level as 2007, when it was extended to bring both aircraft online 7 days a week, all year round, 10 hours a day. During the summer, the start times of the two operations are staggered to provide 12 hours’ cover overall. At present the service cannot operate at night because it is dangerous to land anywhere other than a pre-inspected, approved and lit landing site.
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“Over the last ten years many wonderful charities, large and small, have been recognised by the Charity Awards. By being shortlisted, Devon Air Ambulance Trust has already demonstrated that it is among the bestmanaged charities in the UK.” David Phelan, Organiser, Charity Awards 2009
Pictured Paul Shaddick, North Devon CSO
Future Plans In 2009/2010 the charity looks forward to: • The first anniversary of the new helicopter. • The first anniversary of the full-time HEMS Desk and some new developments in the training and development of the team. • Welcoming 4 new crew members. • Developing new and maintain existing relationships with its corporate partners. • The launch of a new website. • The building and completion of the new North Devon airbase. • Continuing to build and maintain relationships with the local and national media.
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Giving with Conf idence The people of Devon contribute over £4 million each year to keep their two air ambulances flying and are entitled to know how their money is being spent. To this end, the Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) has been accredited by the FundRaising Standards Board (FRSB), the organisation which handles public complaints about how its members raise money and offers the public a ‘mark of reassurance’ to look for when giving to charities. By joining the FRSB, the Trust has agreed to adhere to a strict set of codes which commit the charity to treating the public with respect, fairness, honesty and clarity in all money raising activities. The FRSB mark assures everyone who supports the charity that they can give with confidence to those who are specifically authorised to fundraise on DAAT’s behalf. DAAT has also signed up to an independent, robust and transparent complaints process.
Other affiliations include: • DAAT’s Chief Executive is a Member of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations. •
The Fundraising Director is a Member of the Institute of Fundraising.
•
The Finance Manager is a Member of the Charity Finance Directors Group.
•
The Trust is a Member of the Association of Charity Shops, The Lotteries Council, the Association of Air Ambulances and a number of local business associations.
DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST ANNUAL REVIEW 2008
Every £1 lottery membership gives back
70p
to the charity
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“Without their help I’m sure I would not be here today. I’m proud that they came to my help in my hour of need. Long may they fly over Devon.” David Spargo
Community and Volunteers Ask any CEO of a charitable organisation and they’ll tell you they can’t do without the support of the people who ‘donate the gift of time.’ At a time of economic downturn the importance of our volunteers and community fundraising teams is essential in helping us maintain funds and ensure we keep our two lifesaving helicopters in the air. Our volunteers come from many walks of life and the work they do for us takes on many guises - from working in our local charity shops, to looking after collection boxes, giving talks and running stalls at the rural shows - the work they do is invaluable. Having volunteers all over the county means we are able to reach out into the community and gives us access to people with great local knowledge, who spread the word about Devon Air Ambulance and galvanise further support. Community fundraising is absolutely vital to the sustainability of the charity and in uncertain economic times it is even more so. Again, the range of activities is vast from traditional fundraising events like fun runs to the more unusual and obscure local challenges like worm-charming and bolving (imitating the sound of a rutting red-deer stag!). We can’t put a price on the invaluable work of our volunteers and supporters all over the county but we know we can’t do it without them!
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Communications and Publications Communicating our message plays an essential role in the work undertaken by the Trust and there is continuous and vigorous press and public relations activity. The Trust also aims to communicate with as many people in Devon as possible and this is achieved by maintaining and updating the website and through a range of publications.
Website The website, www.daat.org, plays an increasingly central role in the Trust’s communication strategy and during 2008 it was determined to review and overhaul the current site to ensure the maximum benefit from new web-based developments.
Publications The charity recognises the importance of regularly updated literature. Our HeliPad magazine is produced every quarter, with a junior version three times a year. With social media playing an extremely cost effective part in the charity’s marketing strategy, our supporters are now offered the opportunity to receive all of our publications via their inbox rather than in hard copy form. We do, wherever possible, ensure that all of our literature is produced on recycled matter.
Digital Communications Wherever possible, we try to use email and social media to communicate. This saves us money but just as importantly, it spreads our message wider than we could ever hope to, using traditional methods. Twitter, Flickr and Facebook, for example, are proving to be very effective in reaching out to patients, volunteers and business supporters.
Education and Junior Crew Club
We could save over
£2,000 per year if we emailed all our newsletters
Being able to talk to and meet our younger supporters, whether that is at their school or youth organisation such as Scouts or Brownies, is an integral role of the charity. They are our future fundraisers. Our Junior Crew Club membership scheme will be re-launched in 2009 and it is hoped that a fresh approach to this Club will encourage more young people to join and become involved.
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Summary Financial Information Although our income in 2008 was down from the previous year by £763,000 we did manage to exceed our income forecast. Despite the fluctuating fuel costs we even managed to generate more of a surplus than anticipated. Income from donations, including legacies, together with funds raised from community groups increased by 27% in 2008 to £1,495,000. Community fundraising continues to go from strength to strength, repaying our commitment to working with and for the people of Devon to safeguard their air ambulances for years to come. Legacy income was below projected targets which has reignited our determination to develop alternative revenue streams. For example income from our lottery scheme which contributed £556,000 and our shops and merchandise sales which were up by 20%. While outgoings generally remained predictable, the sharp rise in fuel costs added more than £100,000 to the expenses for the year. Thanks to our prudent reserves policy this rise did not have any adverse effect on our services, which demonstrates why it is so important to have the security of reserves and the level has been reviewed in the light of the aircraft and air base commitments entered into in 2008. A minimum has been set at £700,000 with no upper limit for the time being as substantial resources will be needed to meet the cost of plans to improve the provision of the service over the next few years. Due to the nature of the service offered by the Trust, it invests a large sum in interest bearing deposit accounts with a further sum invested in two tranches with two firms of stockbrokers tasked with making a return in the next four to five years. The charity has a formal risk management process to assess business risks and implement risk management strategies. Looking ahead, we anticipate 2009 will be a tough year for income and so have agreed a conservative budget, although staff have set their sights on exceeding these projections. Pending the outcome of the first year review of the financial and operational costs and benefits of purchasing a new aircraft, the Board has decided to designate some funds held in investments for the purchase of a second aircraft in 2013. The purpose of this information is to offer some insight into our financial position at the year end. The highlights are drawn from the full audited accounts for 2008 which can be downloaded from our website at www.daat.org or obtained from our registered office (contact details on back page).
Gross Income (£000s) Legacies Community Fundraising Lottery Shops & Merchandise Donations Investments & Interest DAAT Run Events
10
2008 986 997 803 633 498 145 80
2007 2,172 703 805 528 475 203 19
4,142
4,905
Fundraising return per £1
2008
£3.25
2007
£4.85
ANNUAL REVIEW 2008 DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TRUST
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Gross Income £000s 2,500 2008
2,000
2007
1,500 1,000 500
er Sh ch o an ps di & se Do na tio ns In ve st m e DA Int nts AT ere & ru st n ev en ts
M
Lo tt er y
Le ga c
ie s Co m fu nd mu ra ni isi ty ng
0
Expenditure Cost of income generation
2008
Helicopter
2007
Governance
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
£000s
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“Thank you for taking me to hospital in the helicopter. I am now at home from school because I hurt my neck and back after I fell off a bouncy castle. I am OK but very sore. Thank you again.” Harriet Vickery
With Thanks It’s impossible to be able to thank every single supporter, whether that be individual, club, association or company, but we wanted to take the opportunity to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has and continues to support the charity. There would not be one Air Ambulance in Devon, let alone two, if it was not for your generosity! As well as dozens of clubs and associations, here are just some of the organisations who made a real difference in 2008. • • • • • • • •
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Asda – Bideford and Plymouth El-Nashar Dental Practice Eurocopter UK Lord Haldon Hotel Marks & Spencer, Plymouth Mazda UK Mickey Evans Testimonial Mid Devon Gazette
• • • • • • •
Miller Countrywide Lloyds TSB Commercial, Barnstaple Pencarrie Plymouth & South Devon Co-operative South Hams District Council Vospers West Devon Borough Council
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How You Can Help Join our lottery We run a successful in-house lottery, which costs only £1 a week per entry. This has a top weekly prize of £1,350, with second and third prizes of £135 and a further 10 runners-up prizes of £50. Since it started in September 2001, it has contributed over £4 million to the charity.
Become a volunteer We rely greatly on our fantastic band of volunteers. Volunteers’ roles vary from helping in our charity shops, servicing our collection boxes, attending events and cheque presentations, to giving talks to groups about the work we undertake. If you have time on your hands, either on a regular or occasional basis, why not find out about donating the gift of time?
Put on a fundraising event If you feel you are able to, why not hold your own fundraising event? We are able to help with posters, publicity and general advice. Maybe you would prefer to do a sponsored event, eg; headshave, parachute jump, slim or swim to name just a few?
Visit our charity shops We have charity shops in most areas of the county, and they are essential in not only raising funds, but also as a base in the heart of the community which we serve. The goods we sell in our shops are predominantly donated. This could be good quality new or second-hand clothing, bric-a-brac, CDs, DVDs, or furniture, to name just a few examples. We do offer a collection service for large amounts and also furniture.
Corporate support Does your company make charitable donations annually or on a regular basis? Do your staff choose a charity of the year to support? Please consider us. You may be a Trustee or involved with a charitable trust which makes regular gifts, again why not contact us and find out more about us?
If you are a tax payer, Gift Aid means an additional in every £1 back to the charity
28p
Recycle for us We pride ourselves in being able to make money from items that are no longer wanted. As well as our shops, mentioned above, we can also turn the following into cash: • Mobile phones • Used stamps • Used printer cartridges For information on any of the above and more, please get in touch. See contact details on the back page. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Registered Office Devon Air Ambulance Trust 5 Sandpiper Court Harrington Lane Exeter Devon EX4 8NS
Telephone: 01392 466666 Fax: 01392 464329 Email: info@daat.org Website: www.daat.org
Charity Reg No 1077998 Company Reg No 3855746
Photographs contained in this Annual Report courtesy of: Tony Cobley (www.tonycobley.com), Neil Devons, Eurocopter UK, Nicola Courtier, Alan Quick and the Crediton Courier, Paul Levie and Torbay News Agency, John McIlwain, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust. We would like to thank Ashley House Printing Co Ltd for their generous support with the printing of this Annual Report. Telephone: 01392 202320 www.ashley-house.co.uk Designed by www.diane-robertson.com