Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Magazine - Summer 2011

Summer 2011 Suggested Donation £1 The Magazine of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust

flight for life

• Airlifted patient Simon Stevens - p8 • See our new Airbase • Meet our Air Crew • Dispatching the Helicopters

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Contents Flight for Life Lottery & Raffle

p4/5

Dispatching the Helicopters

p6/7

Simon’s Story

^ Essex Air Ambulance ITV Team from l to r HEMS Paramedic Laurie Phillipson, Volunteer Peter Hennessey, Fundraising Manager Nina Benscher, and Executive Director Jane Gurney with Lawrence Llewyn-Bowen, host of ITVʼs Auction Party.

Welcome to flight for life magazine...

...your chance to go behind the scenes at Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust.

2011 is going to be a really exciting year, as the Essex Air Ambulance has relocated to its new Airbase at Earls Colne airfield!

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is delighted to confirm that the Essex Air Ambulance has relocated from Boreham airfield to Earls Colne airfield. The new operational base will also have a Visitor Area, due to be launched in July 2011, which will bring the emergency helicopter closer to its supporters.

Read more on page 16.

The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust operates two emergency medical services. With our two MD902 Explorer helicopters, clinicians and specialist equipment can be rushed to the scene of an incident and life-saving procedures can be started at the earliest opportunity. Patients can then be flown to an appropriate hospital. See pages 6 and 7 to find out more.

This summer will see our Essex Air Ambulance team become TV stars! We were invited to appear in the new ITV1 show Auction Party, hosted by Laurence LlewelynBowen. Our mission was to organise a charity auction with a twist – by turning it into a party, inviting all the guests and raising as much money as possible. We worked together with a team from Isabel Hospice in Ware, but thanks to lots of help, and also support from Essex celebrity Jodie Marsh, we were able to make £2,000 for the Charity. Do watch out for us on TV in June!

I very much hope you enjoy this issue of our Flight for Life magazine, if you have any suggestions for future issues we’d love to hear from you. Thank you very much for your continued support - we can’t fly without you!

Jane Gurney, Executive Director

p8

Dancing, Dining and Donating

p10

What’s On

p11

You + Us = Success

p12

Under the Spotlight

p13

Volunteer News

p14

Baby Brogan Beats all Odds

p15

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

p16

Kit Costs

p17

How Can You Help?

p18

Contact Us

• Essex General Enquiries 0845 2417 690 • Herts General Enquiries 0845 504 0055 Email ContactUs@EHAAT.uk.com Website EHAAT.uk.com

Lottery Hotline 0845 2417 688 Lottery Website FlightforLifeLottery.uk.com

Fundraising

• Essex Fundraising Office 0845 2417 690 Nina Benscher, Essex Fundraising Manager Jill Jennings, Volunteer Coordinator • Herts Fundraising Office 0845 504 0055 Michelle de la Bertauche, Herts Fundraising Manager Judy Howlett, Herts Volunteer Administrator

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Advertising - To advertise in flight for life magazine contact Ian Clarke, Saffron Marketing 01603 622790 Email ian@saffron-marketing.com

Meet some of our celebrity supporters...

Published by - Saffron Marketing, on behalf of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust www.saffron-marketing.com Editor - Tracy Jones (Brera) www.brera-london.com Design - Woolf Designs www.woolfdesigns.co.uk

Graham Cole

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Jodie Marsh

Cover shot - thanks to Stuart Miller

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flight for life | summer 2011

By helping somebody’s Become a Flight for Life Lottery member to be in with a chance of winning a life-changing prize every week and play a vital part in raising funds to help keep your life-saving helicopter in the air.

. .. you could

Two winning ways

1

Play the Weekly Draw for your chance to win up to £1000!

Just £1 gives you a chance to win - buy as many chances as you like every week. Join now to receive your unique Lottery membership number. Our Lottery computer randomly selects 14 lucky winners every Wednesday.

• 1st Prize £1,000 • 2nd £500 • 3rd £250 • 4th £100 • Plus 10 prizes of £10

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Members of the Weekly Draw are invited to join the Superdraw for another £1 each week – giving them the chance to win an amazing maximum £25,000 jackpot!

Air Ambulance Lottery Celebrates 30,000 milestone

A new kitchen? A new car? The holiday of a lifetime? Just think what you could do with £25,000!

The Flight for Life Lottery has achieved its largest number of members in its 12 year history.

Choose your combination of 4 numbers between 1 and 34. A weekly jackpot is drawn, but if there’s no winner then the prize fund rolls over each week until it gets to a massive £25,000 – when we will make multiple draws until we find a winner.

A record-breaking 34,558 people in Essex and Herts are now playing their part in keeping the Air Ambulance airborne and saving lives.

Lottery Manager Janice Flower says... “Being one of our Lottery members is a great way to support the Charity for just £1 a week and hopefully win something back yourself. Please pass this message onto family and friends. By word of mouth is the best way to obtain new members and if everyone managed to sign up one new member each, we would have one of the most successful Lotteries in the Country!! Be Proud and spread the news!!

Our tireless canvassers are doing a great job recruiting new members every week. I would encourage all supporters of the Charity who haven’t already done so to sign up now. I would like to thank all of our loyal Lottery members, our Lottery collectors and canvassers for their continued support.“

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Since January 1998 the Flight for Life Lottery has raised more than £9 million. Nearly 11,000 people have been prize winners and more than £1.3 million has been paid out in prize money

FREE! when you change to t Direct Debi

flight for life | summer 2011

flightforlifelottery.uk.com | 0845 2417 688

save life... change your own

Double Win in Herts

The Perfect Christmas Present

Peter Chitty from Waltham Cross won a weekly top Lottery prize of £1,000. He visited the Herts Air Ambulance airbase at North Weald Airfield to pick up his cheque, saying “I started supporting the Charity when one of the Air Ambulance Lottery Canvassers came to my door. I was happy to sign up for such a worthy cause.

My wife and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary soon, so I plan to use some of the winnings on a nice day out together.”

Our Christmas raffle was yet another fundraising success and exceeded all expectations by generating over £126,000!

18 miles up the road in Welwyn Garden City, Shirley Burrage won £5,408 in the Superdraw - the very same week as Peter. She says “I couldn’t quite believe I had won! I decided to start supporting the Charity after watching TV programmes which featured Air Ambulances from around the country. I am a keen supporter as it is a very worthwhile cause. I plan to spend my winnings treating my family.”

The £2,000 top prize was scooped by Michael Leyland from Arlesford. He says “I was shocked to hear that I had won! On my visit to Boreham Airfield, I was privileged to meet the Aircrew and see the helicopter up close. I was so impressed by their professionalism and dedication to their life-saving work. My wife and I are keen supporters of Essex Air Ambulance and urge other people to do whatever they can to help.”

The second prize of £1,000 went to Jean Flanagan from Clactonon-Sea, and the third prize of £500 to Kirsty Saunders from Ongar.

Air Ambulance Raffle You can help patients get the care they need by buying tickets for the next Air Ambulance Raffle.

Call the ticket hotline now on 0845 2417 690

flightforlifelottery.uk.com | 0845 2417 688

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flight for life | summer 2011

The Essex and Herts Air Ambulances flying over the new heli-pad at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

Ever wondered how your Air Ambulance is dispatched?

This really important task is the responsibility of the team who work on the Clinical Coordination Desk (CCD) based inside East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) control near Chelmsford. It is staffed by a HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) Paramedic alongside an experienced Emergency Call Dispatcher.

As Air Ambulance crews from Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and East Anglian Air Ambulance cover an area of 7380 square miles with a population of around 5.8million, it is vital the CCD team evaluate who has the greatest need so the right resources can be sent.

On the CCD they have six computer screens displaying all the 999 calls coming in from across several counties, plus a variety of maps, dispatch and radio systems. The Paramedics’ job is to search through all the calls and assess which ones require the specialist skills of the HEMS Team. These tend to be road crashes, but often include falls from height, assaults or industrial incidents.

The HEMS Paramedic will either listen in to the call to work out what’s happening or call the person who dialed 999 to ask further questions. It takes just 1 or 2 minutes to work out if someone is in need of a HEMS team, which can be dispatched within 3 minutes of the 999 call being made.

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Once the team is on its way, the HEMS Paramedic will continue to get as much information as possible - but will rely heavily on the Emergency Call Dispatcher to keep the Air Crew up to date, input details in to the computer system and use their local knowledge to help identify the exact location. They will essentially take over the communications with the helicopter, allowing the Paramedic to get back to searching for the next job.

^ HEMS Paramedic Laurie Phillipson and Dispatcher Hilary Smith at the CCD

In general, patients who are not critical will be transported to the closest local district general hospital. However, patients who require specialist investigative, surgical or critical care - which is not provided by a local general hospital - are taken further afield.

flight for life | summer 2011

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Critical Care in our Region Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

More Lives to be Saved with Extended Flying Hours Norwich

Cambridge

John Radcliffe Oxford

The Royal London

Addenbrookes Stevenage

Queenʼs Romford London

Colchester

Chelmsford Basildon

Gillingham

Broomfield

Basildon

People living and working in the East of England now benefit from an extended daylight hour Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) thanks to the operational partnership of two Air Ambulance Charities based in the region.

The move to cover the extended daylight hours during the summer months will see the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST), work in partnership with Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) and East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) to ensure the six counties they serve (Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk) are covered for a longer period.

Medway

There is a broad spectrum of hospitals, all with differing capabilities in various specialist areas. Patients suffering head injuries are the most frequent patients seen by the HEMS Team and may require a pre-hospital anaesthetic. Once anaesthetised and placed on a ventilator, a CT scan will be required to evaluate the extent of their injury, plus a neurosurgeon may need to perform emergency surgery. They will also require a neuro-critical care unit for their on-going support. In the Essex/ Herts area the specialist neurocentre is the Queens Hospital in Romford. The major trauma centres for the area – Addenbrookes and The Royal London – are also able to provide this service.

Cardio-thoracic centres, as well as providing specialist surgery, can also place a patient on a heart-lung bypass machine. Patients taken to this type of hospital are those with penetrating injuries to the heart and chest cavity, including stab or gunshot wounds.

Also patients who are resuscitated after becoming incredibly cold may be taken to one, as the heart-lung bypass machine is an extremely effective way of warming them up and potentially re-starting their hearts. The hospitals capable of providing this specialist care are Basildon, John Radcliffe, Medway, Norfolk & Norwich and The Royal London.

People who have sustained major, multiple or very severe trauma are taken to a designated major trauma centre to receive specialist surgical and critical care to ensure their best chance of survival.

Our major trauma centres for the region are Addenbrookes, The Royal London and John Radcliffe. The only specialist burns centre for the region is Broomfield.

The team must also consider how far they are from the various facilities; determine which is closest, which is most appropriate and what is the fastest way of moving the patient to the chosen destination.

Complex decision making - all in a day’s work for our HEMS Heroes

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All three organisations are working together to provide extended flying hours (from 7am to 9pm or sunset whichever is earlier) ensuring coverage of the Eastern region. One helicopter from EHAAT and one from EAAA will cover the early part of the day and the other helicopter from each charity will cover the end of the day, with an overlap in the middle to guarantee the region is covered effectively.

Cliff Gale, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Operations Director, said; “By working in partnership with East Anglian Air Ambulance and the East of England Ambulance Service Trust we are able to provide a high class clinical service to the people in all six counties in the region for longer by using the crews and the four helicopters we operate. For the majority of the week the Essex helicopter will mirror the Cambridge aircraft shifts and Norwich the Herts operation. By varying each aircrafts’ start time, the service will be available for longer.”

Mission brief The Herts Air Ambulance was called to a teenager who had been involved in a road traffic collision. Pilot Richard Eastwood landed the helicopter near the incident and the HEMS Doctor Dan Nevin and HEMS Paramedic Dave Tamarro assisted with the extrication of the trapped patient and administering pain relief. The patient was taken to hospital by land ambulance for further treatment.

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flight for life | summer 2011

Simon’s Story How the HEMS Heroes saved my life!

If you have ever seen the TV advert where a driver pulls out of a T-junction without seeing the motorbike approaching, you will have a good idea of what happened to Simon Stevens.

At Addenbrookes Simon was sedated and then underwent extensive surgery to repair his liver and remove his spleen.

Eight litres of blood were needed to keep him alive.

The 40 year old from Bishop's Stortford was riding through Spellbrook on a sunny day last September when suddenly a people carrier pulled out from a car dealership directly in front of him.

But miraculously he has quickly bounced back. A keen gym member, Simon’s powers of recuperation were enhanced by his level of fitness - not to mention his stubbornness! “I got bored in hospital so I checked out after ten days,” he says. Fortunately his wife, Tanya, turned ‘nurse’ was given unlimited leave to look after him. Simon even went back to his office “just to show my face,” in less than three weeks.

Simon has only a hazy memory of the event - but even now sometimes wakes up hearing the sound of his beloved Honda SP1 scraping down the tarmac towards the car. Ironically, he was on the way to hospital for a blood test - he had testicular cancer 2 ½ years ago and has to go for a test every three months, “I got to hospital all right, but not the one I’d been heading for!” he says.

Simon was gravely injured. He had shattered six ribs and broken his back in three places. His liver was ripped in half; he had burst his spleen and damaged his sixth cranial nerve (affecting his vision in one eye).

“I wouldn’t be here at all if the Air Ambulance Doctor and the team hadn’t been around – they saved my life.”

The Aircrew arrived to find a land ambulance crew already assessing Simon’s injuries. Dr Imogen Bowring says “The land crews sometimes arrive before we do if they’re close to the patient’s location. However, when there are really severe injuries we will take the patient to a specialist hospital, which is quicker and less painful for people with terrible injuries, like Simon. In his case we decided on Addenbrookes, one of our major trauma centres.”

8

He’s fully mobile again now – just months after the accident.

Apart from suffering from post traumatic stress - “I’m slightly bonkers anyway” – he’s fine. However he says “I wouldn’t be here at all if the Air Ambulance Doctor and the team hadn’t been around – they saved my life. If it was not for their fast response and intervention, it is certain that my two young sons would now be fatherless and my wife a widow. These people survive on no direct funding from the Government; it’s almost all from people like you. If you have a spare £10 per month, you could not spend it much better than donating it to this team of people.

They are true heroes.”

Mission brief The Essex Air Ambulance was called to a gentleman who had suffered a cardiac arrest while out cycling. Pilot David Kerr-Sheppard landed the helicopter near the incident, and HEMS Doctor Ross Davenport and HEMS Paramedic Chris Martin were first on scene and provided advanced life support to the patient. His heart was successfully restarted and he was then sedated and cooled before being taken to Broomfield Hospital by land ambulance.

flight for life | summer 2011

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flight for life | summer 2011

Dancing, Dining and Donating We attend hundreds of incidents in Essex and Hertfordshire, but this life-saving service would not be possible without the help of dedicated fundraisers, Lottery members, local businesses and volunteers who help organise events across the year.

4 March 2011 - Strictly Air Ambulance at the Brentwood Centre with Strictly Come Dancing professional Ian Waite as head judge. This spectacular evening of dance and entertainment sponsored by Essex Audi Group was a huge success and raised nearly £6,000!

12 November 2010 - To celebrate its 2nd Birthday, Herts Air Ambulance held a 1940’s themed Hangar Party at its base at North Weald Airfield.

The party was a fantastic success raising over £1,500 for the County's life-saving helicopter!

12 & 13 March 2011- There were gastronomic delights galore at the Great Essex and Herts Feasts. Around 100 cooks hosted simultaneous dinner and lunch parties for over 1,000 guests, raising over £33,000 for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust and Help for Heroes.

25 March 2011 - East met West in an exotic night of Bollywood style entertainment at the Herts Air Ambulance Charity Ball, which raised nearly £4,000. Guests dressed for the occasion by wearing colourful saris and were entertained by Indian dancers and Bollywood themed music at the exclusive Tewin Bury Farm Hotel, Nr Welwyn.

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Mission brief The Essex Air Ambulance was called to a gentleman in his 60’s who had fallen from scaffolding. Pilot Al Scott landed the helicopter in a field near the patient’s home. The HEMS Doctor Raj Maroju and HEMS Paramedic Dan Firmin provided pain relief and immobilisation to the patient. He was airlifted to the Queens Hospital in Romford for further treatment.

flight for life | summer 2011

EHAAT.uk.com | 0845 2417 690

What’s on

What’s on

Essex

Herts

When: Sunday 22 May 2011 Where: Earls Colne Business Park, Colchester What: Join us for a ride around the beautiful Colne Valley.

Three routes to choose from approx 40 miles, 20 miles and a shorter fun family cycle ride. Also the chance to see the Essex Air Ambulance and meet the Aircrew Cost: £16 per person or £16 family rate for the fun family cycle ride (2 adults and up to 3 children) in advance; £20 on the day

Herts County Show

Colne Valley Cycle Ride

When: Where: What: Cost:

Blackwater County Show Sunday 19 June 2011 Heybridge A fun filled family country show in the heart of rural Essex £8 for adults, £4 for children, £6 for concessions

When: Sunday 26 June 2011 Where: Hylands House, Chelmsford What: Russell will be performing the Hylands House Last Night of the Proms with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Emery Cost: £35 per person

Russell Watson at Hylands House

When: Sunday 17 July 2011 Where: Promenade Park, Maldon What: Get behind the scenes and look into the world of the emergency services Cost: Free

Maldon 999 Day

When: Sunday 11 September 2011 Where: The Motorcycle Run starts at Ford Dunton, travelling to Harwich for the Family Festival What: Our biggest annual event - now in its 12th year! A must for all motorcycle riders and fans, but also great fun for all the family Cost: £5 per rider. Family Festival entry free

Motorcycle Run & Harwich Family Festival

When: Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 May 2011 Where: The Showground, Redbourn What: A rare opportunity to see the Herts Air Ambulance up close and meet the Aircrew Cost: £15.50 for adults, £7 for children When: Sunday 25 September 2011 Where: Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage What: 5K fun Rotor Run, plus an easy Rotor Roam around the lake for parents and toddlers. There is also the chance to see the Herts Air Ambulance up close and meet the Aircrew Cost: £7 per runner (UK Athletics affiliated club members) or £10 per runner (Non club members)

Rotor Run

Essex & Herts When: Sunday 5 June 2011 Where: North Weald Airfield What: A fun, family day out with air displays, Harley Davidson’s, American footballers and cheerleaders - plus children’s entertainment Cost: £5 per person, £3 for concessions

North Weald American Eagles Air Show

When: 19 - 25 September 2011 Where: Open to all schools, businesses, groups and individuals.

What: Join thousands of people around the UK in supporting your local Air Ambulance. Just wear red or yellow and donate Cost: £1 per person

National Air Ambulance Week

When: Saturday 24 September 2011 Where: Radisson Hotel, Stansted What: What Women Want Social and Networking Group present a lavish night of dinner, dancing and entertainment Cost: £60 per ticket

Stargazer Ball

Mission brief The Essex Air Ambulance was called to a woman in her 30’s who had suffered a cardiac arrest. Pilot Al Scott landed the helicopter on a field nearby the patients home. The police and a land ambulance were also at the scene. The HEMS Team of Doctor Imogen Bowring and Paramedic Laurie Philipson worked together with the ambulance crew to provide the best possible pre-hospital advanced life support and managed to get the patient’s heart beating again.

EHAAT.uk.com | 0845 2417 690

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flight for life | summer 2011

You + Us = Success Essex Air Ambulance would like to thank the following for their support this year…

College of Braintree; Countryside Properties;

Dagenham Motors; Envy Productions; Essex Audi; The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF) Lakeside Hammers; Marks Tey Hotel ^ (From left to right) Back Row - Mark Concannon (Renault Watford), Michelle de la Bertauche (Herts Air Ambulance), Martin Bryan (Renault Enfield) Front Row – HEMS Paramedic Dave Tamarro, Air Crew Pilot Kev Kavenagh, HEMS Doctor Peter Temesvari.

Renault Supports Herts Air Ambulance Watford and Enfield Renault dealerships have teamed up to support the Herts Air Ambulance and help raise vital funds.

Renault provided a Kangoo Van and Megane for the past ten months to help with fundraising activities. The vehicles have carried staff, volunteers and equipment to the many different events organised and attended by the Herts Fundraising Team.

Michelle de la Bertauche, Fundraising Manager for the Herts Air Ambulance says "We would like to thank Renault for their support.

Not only have the vehicles been a fantastic resource for our staff and volunteers, they have helped to promote the Herts Air Ambulance wherever they go. One of our volunteers was stopped at a petrol station by someone who didn't know that Hertfordshire had its own Air Ambulance and wanted to offer his support!"

Mark Concannon from Renault Watford says "We’re delighted that the Herts Air Ambulance has found the loan of the Mégane and the Kangoo Van to be useful in their essential work. You just never know when you or a loved one might need to rely on the Herts Air Ambulance, so we’re really pleased to support such a worthwhile local charity.”

Park Inn Harlow; SELEX Galileo

Herts Air Ambulance would like to thank the following for their support this year…

Novotel Stevenage; Porsche Centre (Hatfield Business Park); Saracens Rugby Club; Tewin Bury Farm Hotel

We need businesses to partner our Charity. If you think you can help us in any way, please contact us on 0845 2417 690 or visit EHAAT.uk.com

Mission brief The Herts Air Ambulance was called to a driver who had been involved in a road traffic accident. The patient's vehicle came to rest in a ditch after hitting another vehicle. Pilot Richard Eastwood landed the helicopter in a field near the road. The HEMS Team of Doctor Peter Temesvari and Paramedic Laurie Philipson worked together with the Fire crews to extricate the patient from the car before transporting to Addenbrookes Hospital for further care.

The Mayor of Chelmsford Supports Essex Air Ambulance The Mayor of Chelmsford Cllr Arnold selected the Essex Air Ambulance as his charity of the year after hearing about his former piano student Jonathan Coggan’s incident. Jonathan recently visited the Essex Air Ambulance base with the Mayor.

“We’ve known Jonathan from before his accident – and he’s the reason we chose the Essex Air Ambulance as our charity.

Seeing the new aircraft up close was fascinating for all in the party – and a call out came just before everyone left so we saw it fly away to rescue someone else who needed their emergency help.” So far the Mayor has raised nearly £30,000 for the life-saving helicopter! > Airlifted patient Jonathan Coggan and the Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford visit the Airbase with HEMS Paramedic Steve Dennehy

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flight for life | summer 2011

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Under the Spotlight

HEMS Paramedic Dan Firmin

Q. Where do you live?

Q. What types of incidents do you get called to?

Mersea Island, Essex

We attend a huge variety - car, motorcycle and industrial accidents, serious assaults, falls from heights, drownings, traumatic and medical cardiac arrests, head injuries….

Q. Why did you decide to work on an Air Ambulance?

I am fascinated by helicopters! Early in my career I was inspired by what the service could offer seriously injured patients. I aspired to be part of this team and combine the two great things I am passionate about.

Q. Describe a typical day at the Air Ambulance

We arrive and firstly carry out aircraft fuel safety checks and a thorough kit check in preparation for the day. Then it’s the daily briefing with all the Aircrew to discuss weather or operational restrictions. Then we wait for deployment; but in the meantime we have various admin duties to perform – follow up calls on patients, visits from fundraisers, regular practice and drills regarding patient treatment theory and practical. At the end of the day we have paperwork to complete and equipment or drugs are replaced.

Q. What has been your proudest moment in your career so far?

Without wishing to be too predictable, accomplishing my dream to work and fly on the helicopter. To experience complex situations and train with some of the best pre-hospital care Doctors, has got to be the pinnacle of my career!

Q. How do you relax?

Listening to music, walking the dog, sailing and boating, socialising - and naturally the occasional drink with friends.

Q. What does your job mean to you?

It’s a genuine honour and a huge sense of achievement to be working with a highly skilled team serving the people of Essex, Herts and surrounding areas.

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Q. Where do you live?

Michelle de la Bertauche Herts Fundraising Manager

Q. Describe a typical day at the Herts Air Ambulance Fundraising Office

Welwyn Garden City, Herts

Everybody in the team will agree when I say that no two days are the same - but we wouldn't change it! We receive calls from all kinds of supporters, arrange collections, deliver merchandise, pick up and distribute collection tins. We meet with supporters all over Hertfordshire – from individuals and social groups, to large and small companies. We also organise our own events, so have to find sponsors and sell tickets for a wide range of activities; for example our 'Petrol Heads and Pampering night' at the Porsche Centre in Hatfield, Saracens Bike Run and Skydive. Our team, that includes all the volunteers, also give presentations to groups all over the county. We are always looking to recruit more people to help - we couldn't carry on without them.

Q. How do you relax?

Q. What does it means to you to work for the Air Ambulance?

I enjoy watching films, going to gigs and seeing my lovely friends.

I am really proud to be a part of the team supporting this incredible cause. I want to ensure that the people who live and work in Hertfordshire are aware of the vital work the Air Ambulance carries out, the difference it makes, and how we rely entirely on their support to keep it flying.

Mission brief The Herts Air Ambulance was called to man in his 50’s who had suffered a fit. Pilot Al Scott landed the helicopter in a field near the incident. The patient was treated by HEMS Doctor Raj Maroju and HEMS Paramedic Dan Firmin.

He was later taken to Watford General Hospital by land ambulance for further treatment.

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flight for life | summer 2011

Volunteer News The Air Ambulance attends hundreds of different events each year; however the Charity only employs a small number of full-time staff, so is extremely grateful for the committed volunteers who generously give their valuable time and expertise.

Volunteer Coordinator Jill Jennings says, “Our cherished volunteers literally attend hundreds of local events throughout the year from talks at schools and organisations to running merchandise stalls at town shows and Christmas events. Thank you to each and every one - your help and support is invaluable.”

Peter Hennessey Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Volunteer

Where do you live? Near Halstead

How did you become a volunteer for the Essex Air Ambulance? I became involved with the Charity through my volunteering as a First Responder where I first met the Aircrew.

What activities do you get involved in?

I started off in the Fundraising Office helping out with general office duties.

This soon expanded into giving talks to local groups about the work of the Air Ambulance and collecting cheques on behalf of the Charity. Recently I was involved in the ITV programme Auction Party - I had no idea what I was letting myself in for! It took 3 weeks to organise and film, but it was great fun.

^ Volunteers Nick Pullen and Annie Wren (centre) accept their award from Air Ambulance staff

Celebrating 10 years of Service

Annie Wren has been with the Air Ambulance since 1998. She helps out in the office 2 days a week, counting collection tin money and preparing merchandise for the many different events we attend. Annie also helps at outside events and is a tin collector and Lottery agent in the Chelmsford area.

Nick Pullen was with the Charity for 11 years but retired as a tin collector last year to spend more time with his family and grandchildren. Both Annie and Nick recently received special awards recognising their 10 years of service to the Essex Air Ambulance.

If you have time and energy to spare and would like to support us by becoming a volunteer call 0845 2417 690 or visit our website

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What is the best thing about volunteering? For me it is meeting the staff and other volunteers who are all working with the same passion to keep the helicopter flying.

What does it mean to you to volunteer for the Charity? We all pull together achieving something worthwhile whilst enjoying ourselves.

The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance really puts the ‘fun’ into fundraising!

flight for life | summer 2011

EHAAT.uk.com | 0845 2417 690 Air Ambulance Aircrew meet Baby Brogan and the family at the Airbase

Baby Brogan Beats all Odds!

However 2 months later, Brogan suffered respiratory arrest.

The whole household went into emergency mode – Mum giving him mouth-to-mouth respiration to make his little lungs work, whilst Dad called 999. Within minutes a land ambulance arrived and the paramedic took over from Mum.

Fortunately, by the time the Helicopter arrived Brogan was breathing again but now the decision was where best to take him. Air Ambulance HEMS Doctor Adam Chesters explains “The options were to take Brogan to either Broomfield by road, or fly him to the nearest pediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrookes. Having assessed Brogan the decision was made to transfer him by land Ambulance to Broomfield where he was admitted for further care.”

Gran Pennie takes up the story “The police arrived and closed the road so the Air Ambulance could land right outside – I couldn’t believe how they did that! Everyone came so quickly, they were there in minutes.”

Brogan is now back home and doing fine. “Our local pub is hosting a fund raiser for the Air Ambulance this summer, so we’re looking forward to being able to give something back for the team’s quick response,” says Gran Pennie.

When Brogan Lawrence put in an appearance nine weeks ahead of schedule, his whole family was hugely relieved when he came home after a spell in an incubator.

EHAAT.uk.com | 0845 2417 690

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flight for life | summer 2011

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

After overcoming a setback in the initial planning stages... itʼs now official; the Essex Air Ambulance has relocated! Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is delighted to confirm that the Essex Air Ambulance has relocated from Boreham airfield to Earls Colne airfield with a brand new Visitor Area due to be launched in July 2011.

Flying commenced from the new operational base in Earls Colne on 31st March 2011 with brand new facilities in place for the Air Crew.

Once building work finishes the second stage of the project will see the official opening of a modest Visitor Area in early July 2011 which has been made possible with a grant from ICAP following their annual Charity Day in 2009. This new facility will enable the Charity to host meetings and events and accept visitors.

Jean Robinson who is leading the project said, “We are very excited about this project and the relocation of the Essex Air Ambulance to Earls Colne. We are also delighted that plans for our Visitor’s Area are coming together, which will bring the emergency helicopter closer to its supporters. Educational visits and tours will enable people to help support the Charity in different ways. We would like to express our thanks to Eric Hobbs and his family for supporting the project from the outset. We are also very grateful to Michael Manders and his team at the Earls Colne Flying Club as well as the local community who have shown their support for this project.”

If you would like to visit us then please call the Fundraising office on 0845 2417 690.

Over the last 12 months, having secured planning consent and an affordable building design, TJ Evers the appointed building contractor arrived on site in January to begin this exciting new chapter in the history of the Essex Air Ambulance.

A partnership with the existing flying club has been reached to share facilities and build a walkway between the hangar and clubhouse for which building work is now well underway.

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Can you help?

Moving the Essex Operational Airbase to a new location means there are many items which need to be bought or replaced so that the crew can do their job.

If you can help, please contact Jean Robinson on 0845 2417 690

flight for life | summer 2011

EHAAT.uk.com | 0845 2417 690

If you would like to sponsor a piece of Air Ambulance kit – then please get in touch

Zoll AutoPulse £2,500

Inside the helicopter Immobilisation stretcher (orthopaedic scoop) £450

Suit £475

Helmet £1,800

Kit bag £400

Schiller advanced monitor £16,000 Inside the kit bag

Backup monitor £2,000

Airway equipment £1,500 Medical drugs £1,600

Boots £70

© DKS

© DKS

Suction £500

Ventilator £4,000

Help Fund Our Life-Saving Kit Unlike NHS Emergency Services the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is a Charity providing a free life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for your County.

With no direct funding from government we rely on the generosity and goodwill of the people and businesses of Essex and Hertfordshire to remain operational and keep saving lives.

We asked HEMS Paramedic Dave Tamarro to show us his life-saving kit and how much it all costs...

EHAAT.uk.com | 0845 2417 690

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flight for life | summer 2011

Five ways to help 1 Make a Donation – every penny helps to keep your Air Ambulance flying 2 Organise a Fundraising Event – whether it's a Christmas fair or a summer ball, hosting a fundraising event is a fantastic way to help raise much needed funds.

3 Donate through your Salary – Payroll Giving is a hassle-free and tax efficient way of giving directly from your salary.

4 Be a Tin Holder – the average contents of a collection tin is a vital £31 per tin. If you have a business or work for a company willing to hold a tin, please get in touch 5 Leave a Legacy – a vital form of income – one in eight life saving missions are made possible because of a Legacy Gift.

Alternatively, please fill in the form below, send it back to us and we will be in touch soon.

Support our Charity shops

Essex Air Ambulance has joined forces with Bag It Up Ltd to help raise funds. Bag It Up Ltd recycling banks are being distributed for supporters to deposit their unwanted clothes and textiles. Bag It Up Ltd resell the items in the UK and overseas where demand for quality second-hand items is high. Essex Air Ambulance will then receive funds through the items being resold.

Current locations in Essex Battlesbridge Battlesbridge Antique Centre SS11 7RF Burnham On Crouch Co op Fiveways CM80 8BL Chelmsford Melbourne Ave CM1 2DX Colchester Abbots Road Co-op CO2 8BG Colchester Greenstead CO4 3PY Colchester Prettygate Road CO3 4NY Colchester Queen Elizabeth Way CO2 8LY

Essex Air Ambulance Charity Shop, Barfield Road, Mersea Island, CO5 8QT Tel - 01206 385913

Help Us Save Lives Please help by ticking any of the boxes which interest you and complete your contact details. Then simply return the form to: Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust The Business Centre Earls Colne Business Park Earls Colne Colchester CO6 2NS or email the area(s) which interests you with your contact details to: ContactUs@EHAAT.uk.com

For more information about donating online, please visit us at EHAAT.uk.com

or telephone: 0845 2417 690

Thank you for your support.

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Bag It Up for Essex Air Ambulance!

Dedham Mill Lane Car Park CO7 6DH Little Baddow North Hill CM3 4TA Marks Tey Station Road CO6 1EE South Woodham Ferrers The Curlew Pub CM3 5WS Stanway Peartree Road Co-op CO3 0LX Tiptree Church Road Co-op CO5 0LA Witham Honeysuckle Way CM8 2YD Witham Mill Lane Car Park CM8 1BW

Flying High Charity Shop, 50 Station Road, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8BQ Tel - 01621 784837

Name _________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Telephone ____________________________________________ Email_____________________________________________________________ Iʼd like to make a donation and enclose a sum of £_________ (please make cheque payable to the ‘Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust’)

Please send me information about: Lottery Leaving a legacy

Volunteering

Raising money

Corporate sponsorship

Gift Aid it!

Add 25p to every £1 you donate at no extra cost to you by ticking this box and signing below. This will enable us to claim Gift Aid. I am a UK taxpayer and would like the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance to reclaim the tax on the enclosed gift and all donations I have made since 6th April 2000 until further notice.

Signature ___________________________ Date ____________ All data is gathered and managed in strict accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). We will not disclose any information supplied by you to any third party. We may contact you occasionally with information about other aspects of our work. If you would prefer not to receive these mailings please tick here.

flight for life | summer 2011

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