JANE GURNEY
Chief Executive Officer
After what has been a challenging time for us all I want to thank you for your unwavering commitment to serve our charity. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT’s) past, present and continued future successes are in part due to your skills and dedication. In 2020 our critical care teams attended 1,626 patients. Without the time you invested before the pandemic giving talks, collecting tins, helping in the office and attending our many initiatives and events, we would not have been able to help those most in need.
W
elcome to our new annual newsletter. As we move through the year I am always optimistic for what the change of seasons will bring and this year is no exception. With the COVID-19 vaccinations well under way I am hopeful for what lies ahead and what our volunteers can achieve to help the charity over the next few months.
We are going through a time of change and as sad as the past months have been, I am excited for the future. Thank you to all those who have continued to help through the pandemic and to everyone waiting to get going again, your dedication to the charity is humbling.
JANE MORTON Volunteer Manager
A V I D EO FR OM U S T O YO U Click below to play the video
I know that you are all eager to be out representing your local life-saving charity and I, along with all the team, am looking forward to welcoming you back and connecting with you again soon.
Jane
Charity Number: 1108989 |
A MESSAG E F R OM S UE W I L L I A MS, VOLU NTE E R F O R UM C HA I R The coming year is going to be very exciting, with volunteering opportunities returning and with the new North Weald airbase now operational. Volunteers will have the opportunity to see the new airbase, if not before, at the Vision 21-22 volunteer event on Sunday 21st November. Having this annual event on a Sunday will make it more accessible, including for our retail volunteers and people who work full time. The executive team’s presentations will also be live via Zoom and recorded for those who cannot attend. We are delighted that so many of you have joined the Volunteer Open Zoom calls, the next one on 20th July promises to be interesting. Look for Zoom call recordings on the Hub. Monthly Open Days, to be held at the charity’s shops, will provide an opportunity for us and you to meet with other volunteers who live in the local area. The dates for these Open Days during 2021 have been set as: 7th July, 18th August, 21st September, 13th October, 9th November and 8th December. The first Open Day took place on 18th May at the Eastwood charity shop.
Myself and Hoss Atri joined staff and volunteers and we had a very successful day. On 6th June, we were at the Colchester shop welcoming existing and new volunteers to the re-opening. The July meeting will be at the Buntingford Shop 10.30am - 12pm. The shop location for each of the other dates quoted, will be published nearer the time. Forum members will be regularly helping in the office over the coming months, updating the Hub and assisting with targeted recruitment. We are keen to bring volunteers together to enhance the volunteer experience and also to connect likeminded people. Perhaps you can make the Christmas coffee morning or take part in a competition, more information to follow. Lastly, I would like to personally encourage you to please help during Air Ambulance Week, 6th–12th September, as we need ‘all-handson-deck’ in order to maximise this fundraising opportunity.
EXECUTIVE TEAM NEWS Dr Ronan Fenton stepped down from his role as EHAAT Medical Director at the end of November. “Colleagues and Friends, following 6 years as Medical Director at EHAAT I think it is time for fresh eyes to help guide the organisation forward clinically. I have really enjoyed working with everybody at EHAAT and hope that the changes we have delivered together have improved the care delivered to patients. It was a pleasure to work with you all and I wish you and the organisation every success in the future. I ceased being Medical Director in December but EHAAT and the entire team will continue to occupy a special place in my heart.” Dr Ronan Fenton Dr Neal Durge (below left) and Dr Peter Sherren (below right) have taken on the roles of Interim Medical Director and Interim Deputy Medical Director for EHAAT.
I hope you are all keeping well and I thank you very much for standing by the charity over the past year; it is much appreciated.
SAYING GOODBYE A fond farewell to Stephanie Barnes, Eastwood shop, who sadly passed away at the end of December. A tribute from Vikki Gunner, Eastwood Shop Manager: “Steph was a member of team Eastwood right from the beginning. Her bubbly personality and infectious laugh were hard not to love. Steph was always the first to give you that ‘hello’ hug and was welcomed by us all. She would make sure she greeted each of our customers, made them smile and took time to chat with them. Steph had a heart of gold and always cared about everyone else. Losing Steph has left a big hole amongst team Eastwood, she will be sorely missed and our heartfelt condolences go out to her family. Steph is pictured here in the back row, second from the right celebrating Christmas 2019 with most of Eastwood’s wonderful volunteers.”
Group photo taken Christmas 2019
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THANK YOU We didn’t need an excuse, but 1st-7th June 2021 was Volunteers Week so we took the opportunity to celebrate and thank you all for your time and dedication to volunteering with the charity. We were delighted to present our long service recognition pin badges and certificates as follows: 2021 PLATINUM BADGE HOLDERS, WITH THANKS FOR 15 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING: • Barbara Roe • John Turnball
2021 GOLD BADGE HOLDERS, WITH THANKS FOR 10 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
John Arkell Adrian Bird Caroline Bird David Dickinson Clive Enguell Julie Evans David Homewood Judy Howlett Jyotsna Islam Brenda Jordan David Linghorn-Baker Mark Martin Sue Reuter Penny Royden Stuart Royden William (Bill) Samson Carole Simmonds Donald Szaj
2021 SILVER BADGE HOLDERS, WITH THANKS FOR 5 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING: • • • • •
Hoss Atri Julia Bentley Rosie Bird Paul Bowden Betty (Elizabeth) Goodship
• Lesley Graves
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sandy Jackson Anita Kemp Tracy Lias Judith Lupton (née Hooks) Ben Mayo Tara McIntyre Philip Millard Chris Mitchell Amanda (Mandy) Page Rosemary Purcell Mike Simons Alice Simpson Martin Sulley Lily Taylor-Green Alison Teschner Katie Warman Vivien Watson
2021 BRONZE BADGE HOLDERS, WITH THANKS FOR 3 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Nick Boxall Hazel Broughton Dave Burgess Hannah Burns Tim Burt Malcolm Cave Natasha Courtney Steven Davey Alexandra Devlin Terry Dunne Simon Dunne Suzy Evans Vivien Fabian James Free Vivien Gardner John Gunn Amy Hall Emerson Hardisty
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sue Hargrave Min Harper Lucy Harrison Carolun Hayden Sharon Hills Sylvia Janiszewska Caroline Jenkin Jane Johnston Shelia Keller Clair Keller Maureen Kirkpatrick Dale Large Carol Martin Kenneth McCormick Hilary O’Neil Sharon Owen Tony Page Lula Panayi Wendy Perry Susan Purkiss Donna Raine Ian Reid Linda Restarick Belinda Robertson Sharon Robinson Stuart Rosen Jo Royall Susan Sands Eva-Maria Sell Chris Simmonds Lee Skeggs Tim Slaven Aron Tavares Peter Taylor Wayne Tearle Lynee Tyler Sarah Wareham Linda Watts Kerry Whitaker Helen Wilson
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VISION 21-22
VOLUNTEER OPEN ZOOM Tuesday 20th July 2021 5.30 - 7pm Meeting ID: 915 9481 9425 Passcode: 949900
Sunday 21st November 2021 North Weald Airbase Limited spaces available
VOLUNTEER OPEN ZOOM
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING
October 2021 Details to follow
Friday 10th December 2021 Earls Colne
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
ALL SYSTEMS GO AT NORTH WEALD AIRBASE THE NEW SITE IS:
JAMES MCINROY Head of Workplace & Infrastructure
February 2020: Breaking ground
EHAAT’s new airbase at North Weald became operational on 28th April when a critical care team was tasked with its first mission; marking an important milestone in the charity’s history. The new airbase will be central to how we deliver, and continue to improve, outstanding patient care. If you haven’t seen it already a timelapse video showing the complete build can be viewed at: ehaat.org/north-weald-airbase/ April 2020: The cranes are in
Site: 9287 sq.m |Building: 2056 sq.m
THE OLD SITE WAS: Site: 2400 sq.m | Building: 800 sq.m
DID YOU KNOW? • The planning application process took 16 months • The actual build took 12 months in total • There are 90 internal and external doors plus the hangar doors and the garage and warehouse shutters • There are 20 toilets on-site • The outside first floor open air terrace is 9.365m x 5.836m • The hangar can house 2 helicopters
January 2021: It’s all coming together July 2020: Structure in place
• The helipad has underground trace heating so the team will never need to clear snow or ice • We have our own fuel tank • We have Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EV Points) • We have large solar panels on the roof powering the building with the capability to credit power back into the National Grid
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UPDATES Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you all recently on the Volunteer Open Zoom call in April (now available on the Volunteer Hub). Since then the team have successfully been using the new airbase at North Weald and are thoroughly enjoying working from there.
STUART ELMS Clinical Director
Myself and Scott McIlwaine, our Operations Manager, have been reviewing the current fleet of Volvo XC90 Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs). It is time to start looking at replacing them, including considering green options. We have had some RRV damage due to a deer strike midway through a blue light response. Thankfully the team were all okay but the deer was unfortunately RIP and the bill to repair the response car will be approximately £9,000. These are the risks however, and I’m sure you have seen the amount of roadkill
in the Essex and Hertfordshire regions that show the considerable deer and badger activity at night. Despite the paramedics being excellent response drivers, at times there is no option to safely stop, or avoid an animal that jumps out. The clinical managers have been busy working with their colleagues from the other air ambulance charities and the ambulance service. They have been running the current paramedic recruitment programme which has successfully included an exam and an assessment day where prospective paramedics were put through scenarios to test everything from their medical skill to human factors. Interviews will have happened by the time you read this so hopefully we will have the next generation of paramedics ready to start with us. As ever stay safe and thank you for your wonderful support.
A busy year lies ahead for Fundraising at EHAAT. As always, we will be working in our community to generate vital income from individuals, businesses, schools, clubs and societies. This will see us running existing initiatives such as A Very British Afternoon Tea and also new initiatives including Extreme Times Extreme Challenges, where we invite the public to take part in skydives, runs, swims, wing-walks…the sky’s the limit!
and information about the charity. Our Trusts and Foundations programme continues to grow in strength and is now supported by a volunteer researcher. And, as cash use starts to decline, we are looking to the future for how we will manage cash collecting tins and collections at events and so we are working hard to test, trial and launch contactless donation devices across the charity.
We are also firmly focused on growing our Regular Giving programme so this year we will launch a loyalty scheme to reward our regular givers with news
We are always immensely grateful to you, the EHAAT volunteer community, for helping us make all of this happen.
Considering we have not been able to hold any in person events the team have been rather busy! In May we launched a new virtual challenge, Walk 100 Miles in May, which has seen hundreds of new and old supporters don their walking boots, get outside and raise funds for EHAAT.
KERRY RUSSELL Head of Events
EMMA BARKER Head of Income Generation
of them have gone out on their own independent bike runs as part of I did it My Way 2. Visitor Centre and Conference Centre We are busy adding the finishing touches to both the Visitor and Conference Centres at North Weald and are looking forward to being able to welcome guests in the near future. As valued volunteers we would love you to be our earliest visitors and will be in touch soon, once we are in a position to confirm plans.
Government restrictions have meant that we have not been able to hold our traditional motorbike run events. However, our wonderful biking community have not let this deter their incredible support of EHAAT; lots 5 | VISION FOR VOLUNTEERS
DONNA LEE Head of Retail
Exciting times ahead for the retail team now that our new three-year strategy has been agreed. This will see Retail introducing new role profiles for volunteers, with volunteer recruitment drives to increase assistance levels across all shops.
up of two trustees Clair Smith, Chair and Anni Ridsdill Smith plus Jane Gurney, Pam Withrington, Jonathan Ager, Jen Townsend, Donna Lee and two external retail experts, Alison Reupke and John Hodgson, who have volunteered for the posts.
A staffing review of the retail management team has taken place and the warehouse restructured. We are currently looking to recruit a Revenue Development Manager to continue to drive income through warehouse and online sales.
Meetings take place 3 times a year to review: • The monthly retail management accounts at each meeting and pursue any significant financial or commercial issues which arise. • The performance of the Retail division compared with its annual budget and scrutinise any major variances including proposed steps to mitigate them. • Any potential new shop sites • EPOS reports • The retail strategy • Human resource requirements and needs
Whilst the plan is to continue to open new shops our focus this year is to carry on getting our existing shops trading to the best of their ability. We hope that in the next financial year we will be ready to open our first superstore which will sell furniture, clothing and white goods as well as having a small visitor centre. Retail Advisory Committee A new committee, the Retail Advisory Committee (RAC) has been set up. The primary objective of the RAC is to provide support and guidance to the Exec Team and to assist and advise the Trustees on the development of the retail division. The committee is made
Like all areas of fundraising the Flight for Life Lottery has been affected by COVID-19. We have not been able to promote it face to face at venues, events or on a door to door basis and this has meant a drop in our playing chances each week. We have looked at other ways of promoting it and we are grateful to our volunteers who have mentioned it when doing talks about EHAAT – thank you! From 12th April our canvassers (following Government PPE and social distancing guidelines) were able to restart and we have been really pleased with the response from the public as they have welcomed our team back. If you see them out and about please say hi to them as they would love to see and speak to you. If you are able to help us promote the lottery – please tell your friends and family that they can simply sign up via our website.
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It’s an exciting time for the retail team with lots of changes and plans for the future so having the RAC enables us to focus and develop the retail strategy. Our eBay shop is open for business as usual: click here
Raffle We have three raffles per year and our spring one was drawn on 1st June. Thank you to all those who purchased tickets/made a donation – we raised just over £100,000! Our Summer tickets were mailed at the end of June, with the draw date being early September, so keep an eye out for them. Please let Carmel know if you are able to sell tickets to your family and friends on our behalf. Gifts In Wills Month We will be having a special campaign in October where we will be working with local solicitors to get them to help write wills for our supporters at no cost; asking instead for a donation to be made to EHAAT. More details to follow, but if you would like further information, please contact Carmel.
CARMEL HUDSON
Lottery Manager
YOUR VOLUNTEER FORUM GROUP
You have a dedicated Forum representative depending where you live. Please refer to the chart below.
The next meeting of the Forum Group will be on 14th September. This is a closed meeting, but your questions and discussion points are always welcome. Please email jane.morton@ ehaat.org or speak to one of your Forum Volunteers.
AREA 1
AREA 2
AREA 3
Mike Simons
Natasha Courtney
Phil Millard
I have been a volunteer since 2017 and this will be my second year as a forum member. I have undertaken various community events, volunteered in the Hitchin shop, conducted tours of the airbase and given talks. I retired as a police officer in 2012 and now work part-time with the forensic operational support team of Bedfordshire Police. I am also a Rotarian.
I love volunteering for EHAAT as the crew have helped several of our friends and neighbours over the years. I help with all aspects of volunteering apart from helping in the shops. I also run an annual fundraising event with trucks, classic cars and motor bikes. We have stalls, raffles and entertainment for kids, cakes, and more. The event has got bigger each year!
I have been a supporter since the 90s but I didn’t become an active volunteer until 2015. Until the pandemic, I was actively giving talks to local organisations, clubs, and schools along with assisting at events. In the last four years I have been Vice Chairman of the Volunteer Forum, providing communication between the staff and volunteers.
Contact: mikesimons@ehaat.org
Contact: natashacourtney@ehaat.org Contact: philmillard@ehaat.org 7 | VISION FOR VOLUNTEERS
AREA 4
Suzanne Harvey
Secretary. I also have experience in different business sectors including publishing, marketing, public relations, banking and running my own business. I am someone who likes to get fully engaged in causes I really care about and am passionate about making a difference and bringing about positive change. My hobbies include clay and target shooting, reading and walking. Contact: forumchair@ehaat.org
I have been a volunteer for eight years now and a Forum member for one year. The air ambulance came into my life when I wanted a challenge for myself and to give something back. I have helped the charity in many ways over the years but I especially enjoy events such as the Motorcycle Run. Last year the air ambulance critical care team came out to my mum so my love and respect for them has grown after seeing them in action. I am looking forward to representing the charity again soon. Contact: suzanneharvey@ehaat.org
AREA 5
Sue Williams
AREA 6
I have been a volunteer since October 2016. I enjoy taking part in community events, giving presentations and talks and hosting visitor centre tours; all to help raise funds for the charity. I can’t wait to put on my branded polo shirt and lanyard and get out into the community again. As volunteer Forum Rep, I would love to hear your stories.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER Di Leggett
I joined EHAAT two and half years ago after my twin sister, who is a long-standing volunteer, recruited me when I retired. I had always wanted to give something back to the charity as a close family member’s life was saved by an air ambulance.
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ASSOCIATE MEMBER Peter Hennessey
Hoss Atri
Contact: hossatri@ehaat.org
Before retirement I was a Manager in the NHS and a Trust Board Company
is in banking, the motor industry and running training conferences. Volunteering for the charity has been very rewarding; helping to keep the helicopters flying and saving lives. I have attended many events over the years and helped out in all sorts of ways. My spare time is spent gardening, flower arranging, reading, painting and I am on various committees.
I have been involved with EHAAT for more than 15 years. My background
I have now been a volunteer for over 12 years having initially encountered the air ambulance crews whilst volunteering as a First Responder in North Essex. At first I helped in the office, but this soon expanded to include: giving talks to every type of supporter, attending all sorts of events (large and small, hot and cold, hectic and very quiet), hosting visitor centre tours at Earls Colne, providing one-off research support and giving zoombased presentations. I am basically happy to help with anything which supports our highly trained and very well-respected critical care teams. I have met many interesting volunteers, supporters and airlifted patients and their families during the past 13 years and would encourage all volunteers to get involved in as many aspects of the charity as they can - even if it is initially out of their “comfort zone”. As an associate member of the Forum I am able to support both staff and volunteers.
*photos taken prior to COVID-19
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SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEER WEEK ONLINE STORIES During Volunteer Week we shared some wonderful volunteer stories on social media. Here are some snippets...
MEL FORDHAM I am Mel Fordham and I was inspired to support EHAAT when in June 2019 the air ambulance landed in the field adjacent to my home and I realised one of my neighbours, Peter, was in trouble! This tragic, traumatic event left me awe struck. It could have been me, or one of my family, receiving the attention of a medical team working to save life in the most stressful situation imaginable. Hence my new mission, in Peter’s memory, to keep the red and yellow bird airborne. RIP Peter Hill.
RAY AND SUE COOK
SARAH WAREHAM I’m Sarah Wareham and I have volunteered for EHAAT since May 2018. My dad Brian Shipley was the founder of the charity! Sadly, he died of cancer 5 years ago. The money raised from his funeral was used to set up a CPR campaign in his memory. During discussion about the press release for this I was asked if I would like to be a volunteer. I didn’t have to think twice, what a fantastic way to continue the amazing legacy my dad left behind! My favourite role is helping to teach CPR in schools which is very rewarding. EHAAT is a fantastic organisation which really appreciates its volunteers.
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We are Ray and Sue Cook and have been volunteering for 12 years. We collect cheque donations, give short talks, sell t-shirts at the annual motorcycle run and look after collection tins. We also sell home-made bird tables and home-grown plants outside our house to help raise additional funds. We particularly enjoy meeting people who tell us how grateful they are that the air ambulance was available to help them, a relative or a friend during their time of need.
PETER HENNESSEY My name is Peter Hennessey, I have been a volunteer for EHAAT for 12 years and have witnessed the charity grow into the major organisation that it now is. I initially became involved with EHAAT as a result of meeting the crew at incidents when I was a volunteer First Responder. I realised that the high level of skill which they brought to incidents only happened because of supporters sticking their hands in their pockets! The key to all of the volunteering I do is the opportunity to meet with members of the public, from all ages and backgrounds, who support the charity. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to once again be immersed in the many varied events which the charity gets involved in.
LYNN COSTERD I am Lynn Costerd. EHAAT came to my rescue in December 2017 when I had an accident at home. I broke my ankle in three places and badly dislocated it. I still suffer daily with medical complications but without EHAAT I definitely wouldn’t have my foot at all. Two years later when the Eastwood charity shop opened I met Vikki, the shop manager, and decided to become a volunteer. I still volunteer today but I am now also the Assistant Manager on a part time basis. Volunteering for EHAAT has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
ALICE SIMPSON
I’m Alice Simpson and I started fundraising for the charity when I signed up to trek Nepal in 2013 and later trekked Cambodia and Slovenia as well! My fundraising led me to want to do more for the charity so I signed up as a volunteer. I carry out a number of duties including attending events, helping in the office, carrying out bucket collections, giving talks and hosting airbase visits. I still fundraise when I can and in February 2021 I set my own challenge of Fancy-Dress February! I feel honoured to be a volunteer for this wonderful charity.
ROGER AND CAROL STEVENSON We are Roger and Carol Stevenson and have been keen volunteers for 8 and 6 years respectively. We have a special regard for EHAAT, having seen the wonderful work carried out by the charity when the critical care teams have attended callouts in our area. Since becoming volunteers we have helped with bucket collections and have been tin collectors. Our last visit, before lockdown, was to “The Range” at Pitsea where we collected ten tins weighing just over five stone. Engaging with the public has been the most enjoyable and rewarding experience. Our motto has become “Have Tins, Will Travel”!
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DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND WHO COULD JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM? Please refer them to e ha a t .o r g /vo l u nt e e r or they can call us on 0345 2417 690 for more information THANK YOU! VISION FOR VOLUNTEERS | 12
If you’ve not already heard of the Blue Light Card then it may be of interest to you. Blue Light Card works with small and large companies across the UK to support the ‘blue light community’ by offering member discounts through a Blue Light Card. Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store. Membership costs £4.99 for 2-years access to a huge range of discounts, online and on the high street.
By signing up you will be offered a range of official discounts from large national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more. As a member you can also shop and save on the go at hundreds of high street retailers, restaurants and cinemas with the handy Blue Light Card mobile app
All of our volunteers, staff and crew are eligible for a Blue Light Card. For further information and to apply please follow this link: www.bluelightcard.co.uk Please note that when applying for a card you need to select ‘Ambulance Service’ from the drop-down list and then in ‘Employers Information – Division’ choose ‘Air Ambulance’.
DRAW WINNER Elaine Nott was the lucky winner of our December Wilkin & Sons Voucher Draw. Congratulations Elaine, enjoy your cream tea!
We are pleased to offer you a second chance to win a Wilkin & Sons Afternoon Tea for Two Voucher which can be redeemed at any Wilkin & Sons tea shop.
If you would like to be entered to win, please click here to send an email to volunteerteam@ehaat.org with the title ‘I’m in the Draw for Afternoon Tea2’.
VOLUNTEER HUB ehaat.org/volunteer-hub Hub username: volunteerhub@ehaat.org New Hub password: ehaat-vhub21 Reminder: Thank you for not changing the password, it’s shared by all and is not yours to change.
JOIN US ON OUR EHAAT VOLUNTEER FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2780138935402886/
KEEP IN TOUCH CHAPLAINS
VOLUNTEER TEAM
Beks Korniej 07767 695166 | rebekah.korniej@gmail.com
Jane Morton Volunteer Manager | 07814 046117
Sharon Quilter 07944 517456 | shazquilter@hotmail.com
Amanda Shead Volunteer Assistant | 07790 591839 (available Wednesdays and Thursdays)
Tom Warmington 07753 231723 | tomwarmit@gmail.com Kate Collin 07951 484805 | kate.collin212@gmail.com
Vicky McGowan Community Tin Administrator | 07469 851711 (available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays)