The greeting inside reads: “With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year”
It’s been an incredibly busy and successful year for our charity, with lots of exciting changes and developments happening across the organisation.
At the start of autumn we launched our very first industry conference, Medi-Connect, bringing together medical professionals to discuss developments and best practice in this field (more on p10). You, our valued supporters, have baked, run, swam, scaled and jumped your way through 2024, raising vital funds in support of our crew’s lifesaving work. The commitment and ingenuity that you approach these courageous and thoughtful events with continues to astound us – thank you!
Another exciting development as we move into 2025 is our brand refresh. Taking the opportunity to update our visual identity
In this issue
ensures the image we present is fresh and engaging but remains instantly recognisable and reassuring for our supporters. All of which contributes to the vital fundraising projects that sit at the core of our charity and allow our team of specialists to continue delivering lifesaving care across Devon and beyond.
Finally, with Christmas just around the corner, you can find details of this year’s Christmas Appeal on p16 where we’re looking for your help to fulfil our crew’s Christmas Wish List for new uniforms to keep them warm this winter!
May I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas.
We’ve made some small changes to our brand that give it a more modern feel and make our physical and digital presence more accessible but still instantly recognisable.
For more than 30 years, Devon Air Ambulance has been bringing time-critical care to thousands of Devon patients. Over that time, we have extended our presence beyond the skies to Devon’s roads, with our fleet of Critical Care Cars; elsewhere, our charity shops feature on the high streets of many Devon towns, functioning as important hubs for our customers, volunteers, generous donors of preloved items, and for those who simply want to pop by for a chat with our friendly staff about our lifesaving service.
The recent changes we have made to our brand aim to raise awareness of our vision to save lives together, and to build our influence; inspiring the continued support of those we serve and preparing us for the future. Having a modern, professional image will help ensure we continue to appeal to our supporters.
which can make a significant difference to our patients.
We’re thrilled with the refreshed look and feel of our corporate identity, and excited about rolling it out, and we feel reassured that it has held onto the red and blue that is so familiar to everyone who has seen us flying overhead. It offers that same confidence and reassurance. We feel excited about the new supporters that our refreshed identity will reach, who we hope will help to ensure the longevity of our lifesaving service.”
Our brand perception research confirmed that bringing our presence up to date to better reflect our evolving and responsive service would be welcome.
Heléna Holt Devon Air Ambulance CEO
Heléna Holt, Devon Air Ambulance CEO, remarked on the brand refresh, “This is an exciting time for the charity as we advance patient care through ambitious projects that will help futureproof our service. It’s important that our brand reflects the innovative, evolving and responsive organisation we are, not only in the care we provide, but also in the clinical research we undertake,
Devon Air Ambulance Director of Public Engagement, Matthew Bell, added, “After a careful selection process, we undertook some customer research to better understand Devon’s perception of our brand and to refresh our visual presence. As a result we have retained what is loved about the current Devon Air Ambulance brand and evolved it into a modern new look that will still be recognisable, reassuring and meaningful.
Our brand refresh will firstly appear on our new website and social media channels and will gradually appear on other items such as stationery, signage and vehicles as they need to be replaced. This will ensure we minimise cost and ensure this is sustained for many years to come.’
CreditonopeningShop
We are proud to have opened the doors to our 21st charity shop in Crediton, Devon.
Thanks to Deputy Mayor, Cllr Steve Huxtable who came along to help celebrate the occasion along with two of our Critical Care Paramedics Jessica Thomas-Mourne and Mark Hawley who proudly cut the ribbon!
‘This shop will support the circular economy, allowing supporters to reuse and repurpose preloved items, while raising money for their local Air Ambulance charity. Thank you to the people of Crediton who have already stopped by to give us a very warm welcome and to the local community, please come along and see our new look for yourselves.’ Pete Vallance, Head of Business Development.
Matthew Bell (far right) at the opening of our brand new Credition Shop in early September
The
challenges of
Winter Flying
Pilot Rob discusses the additional considerations he and colleagues must account for when assisting patients during the colder months.
There are few things in flying more threatening than getting yourself into a situation without having a plan for getting out of it. Safe and effective aviation hinges upon being ‘ahead of the aircraft’; looking ahead, planning ahead and giving yourself as many options as possible.
It won’t surprise anyone to learn that understanding the weather, or ‘met’, is central to a pilot’s daily planning and crew briefing. Equally, it won’t startle you to learn that the met gets significantly more challenging in winter, especially in the Westcountry. The height and proportion of the cloud ceiling, the position of the zero-degree isotherm, snow and strong winds are all additional winter concerns beyond the normal challenges.
Because our work is so critical in providing lifesaving intervention, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) allows us to fly in weather conditions that normal commercial aircraft would not. This means that although it gives us more flexibility to respond to incidents, we have to take
more risks with the weather. This is made worse by the geological make-up of Devon – the hills and valleys make it harder for us to navigate through low cloud and poor visibility. We need to weigh up all these risks, and have a Plan B, when we’re responding to an incident.
All DAA pilots and aircraft are licensed to operate in cloud using numerous instruments, navigation systems, sensors and ground-based approach aids to recover to an airport when the cloud prevents us from recovering visually. This could enable us to get a child from the South Hams to Bristol Royal Infirmary or to get the aircraft back to Exeter airport from Derriford when flying visually would be unsafe. Whilst this is an important capability that DAA retains all year round, winter ushers in colder temperatures and a hidden danger – icing.
Flying in cloud when the outside air temperature (OAT) is below zero can cause ice to form on the aircraft. It could be the rapid accretion of brittle rime ice or the slower accretion of heavier adhesive clear ice. Both form at different temperatures and in different ways but are equally threatening. They can form on the rotor blades and other aerodynamic surfaces, block engine and air intakes, freeze up windscreens, disable sensors, interfere with communications and could make the aircraft so
heavy that it starts to run out of power. For that reason, we will always establish the height of the zero-degree isotherm in the morning brief and ensure that we do not fly in cloud above that level. In the depths of winter, this can prevent us from flying in cloud altogether, which would then mean returning to our HEMS met alleviations.
The lower winter temperatures introduce yet more challenges in the form of snow and ice. Whilst our Exeter base is often protected from the worst weather by Dartmoor, our Eaglescott base is 630 feet above mean sea level with little to shield it from the prevailing westerly winter met. To that end, we must be careful about leaving the aircraft out on the helipad if snow or freezing rain are forecast, and we will never leave it out over night to avoid ice forming on such things as the tail rotor. Some mornings we will have to clear the helipad of snow and ice, before we can even consider pulling the helicopter out onto the spot. Similarly, taking off and landing on an icy pad in an aircraft with metal ‘skids’ could result in the aircraft sliding around, so clearing the surface is a priority.
“Winter is coming. Preparation, planning, briefing and contingency are key to winter HEMS operations. By applying these basic principles, we can continue to deliver care to the people of Devon whilst safeguarding our crews and patients.
An otherwise pretty layer of snow on the ground can hide challenges and threats when we want to land to help a patient. Whilst we do not tend to get light powdery snow in the Westcountry, the downwash from our helicopters can cause the snow to lift and envelope the aircraft resulting in a ‘white out’. This can cause the pilot to lose visual references and become disorientated – both of which are as bad as they sound. Similarly, it doesn’t take too much snow to cover up holes or other hazards that could damage the aircraft or worse. We combat these and other threats by doing a full recce of the potential landing site, altering our initial hover heights, briefing our actions in the events of recirculation and applying the maxim: ‘if there’s any doubt, there’s no doubt’ – if we start to white out or aren’t sure that the surface is safe, we fly away and find somewhere else.
It is not unusual to do winter jobs on Dartmoor or Exmoor. Whilst you may not perceive these places to be that isolated, if we had an incident, an aircraft malfunction or it just fogged out while we were with a patient, we could end up stuck on the moor, in the freezing wind and snow, hours from anywhere useful. To that end we always ensure that we ‘dress to survive’ and have enough warm kit with us to mitigate for the worst possible outcome. ’
Martin’s MACHINERY RESCUE
Local
farmer,
Martin Parkhouse, discusses the dangers of remote agricultural work.
On a bright sunny Sunday in October 2023, vegetable farmer Martin was working on a customer’s farm chopping maIze when he tragically learned first-hand how suddenly life can change...
Martin said: ‘It started off a perfect day for a farmer. We had bacon sandwiches, country music on and it was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon.’
As this horrific incident was unfolding, another farmer, Josh, was coming into the same field on his tractor. Seeing the commotion, he instinctively knew something was very wrong and made the call to 999.
“Send everyone” - Farmhand calls 999 to save friend’s life
Before the emergency services arrived, four of Martin’s colleagues and one partner of a colleague were all supporting him in some way – holding him up to stem the bleeding and avoid further injury, applying pressure, keeping hold of his head and face to keep him awake and responsive and calling for help.
‘They all turned from tractor drivers and farmers to emergency responders within seconds that day, and some refused to leave, staying to help the emergency services navigate the machinery with their expertise. Rupert, Josh, Chris and Joe helped to keep me still and calm until Dr Lauren and the crew arrived,’ said Martin.
The Forage Harvester machine that Martin was working on with his close friend and colleague, Rupert, became blocked. Rupert, who was driving the harvester, immediately followed the protocol of shutting down the machinery so that Martin could get out and clear the blockage. Stepping back at least 2.5 metres away from the machine (as per regulations and experience of working with these dangerous pieces of machinery), Martin cleared the blockage, and the engine was restarted. Unfortunately, unbeknown to Martin or Rupert, part of the blockage had become wrapped around Martin’s ankle and when the engine restarted, he was quickly pulled into the machine. Rupert acted quickly, shutting down the engine, jumping out of the cab and rushing to Martin’s aid.
“Rupert whipped off his belt to use as a tourniquet for my leg, there was a lot of blood. He climbed above me and sat me on his knee to hold me up. Then he got up our exact what3words location to help the emergency services find us. He saved my life and potentially my leg. He doesn’t realise how amazing he is.
Devon Air Ambulance (DAA), along with Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue, HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) and a BASICS (British Association of Immediate Care) pre-hospital doctor arrived on the scene and began to assess the situation.
Doctor Lauren Weekes and Paramedic Alex Sanders-Page worked alongside the other emergency services to apply a medical grade tourniquet and extricate Martin from the machinery, relieving his colleagues one by one to keep Martin upright and supported. The upright position that Martin needed to be kept in made it difficult for Dr Lauren who could not sedate him until he was laid down.
The next memories that Martin has are coming around on the floor beside the tractors before being sedated. Once Martin was stable enough to be conveyed to the hospital, his colleagues alerted his family to the incident so they could make their way to Plymouth. Martin’s partner, Jenna was notified at approximately 2:45PM and within an hour
she was at Derriford Hospital just in time to see Martin before he was rushed to surgery for the first of many operations.
Reaping strength on a long road to recovery
In total, Martin has been through more than 30 hours’ of surgery to save and rebuild his leg. After many lengthy surgeries, weeks of sheer determination and inner strength, with the support of his family and friends, Martin was discharged and able to return home in time for Christmas. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the end of the road for Martin who returned to the hospital earlier this year with a severe infection in his foot. Martin continues to recover each day and is thrilled to be walking his dog and driving his car independently again.
He is dedicated to supporting DAA in raising awareness within the agricultural community and recently shared his story with attendees of our Medi-Connect Conference.
‘I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at DAA and at Derriford Hospital for looking after me so well. My two brothers, Andrew and Richard, were constantly with me and helping throughout the recovery. I’ve also had an amazing amount of ongoing support from DAA’s Adrian, Masons Kings, my colleagues and my family’
Martin and his wife catch up with our Patient Liaison
Clinicians Adrian Parker and Kate Adlam
Shaping the future of first responders in pre-hospital emergency care
This year we organised and hosted the South West’s first ever Medi-Connect Conference. An event focused on prehospital emergency care, which brought together pre-hospital healthcare professionals and experts to shape the future of emergency first responders.
In September we hosted our first Medi-Connect Conference at Exeter Racecourse, supported by our headline partners SES and ZOLL®.
Targeted at Air Ambulance and healthcare professionals, this educational and interactive conference focused on Rural Response. The event was a huge success, with over 200 people in attendance, all eager to gain valuable insight on the latest techniques and innovations within the industry.
Expert speakers took to the stage and practical demonstrations focused on common, rural incident types attended across Devon, providing delegates with the opportunity to explore cutting-edge strategies while learning about the latest trends and best practices within pre-hospital care. Alongside these demonstrations, an exhibitor showcase provided attendees with the chance to get hands-on with new products and learn more about how industry technology is changing.
Our helicopter and Critical Care Car also made an appearance, demonstrating to delegates their capabilities and advanced technology, and the range of critical care equipment they can carry.
We are particularly grateful to our expert speakers who delivered informative lectures on topics including; how to manage open fractures, heat illness and rapid cooling, drowning, and neuro rehabilitation technology.
Ben Rogers, partner at Stewarts Law shared the case study of William Towler, who suffered an agricultural accident 3 years ago, resulting in a spinal cord injury. William was awarded funding under the Rehab Code which paid for a Keeogo™ dermoskeleton, a lower body, powered knee exoskeleton, or dermoskeleton. This cutting-edge technology is designed to assist patients with walking and clearly demonstrates the capabilities of modern medicine and technology to improve patient outcomes, a common theme throughout the day at Medi-Connect.
Martin Parkhouse, a local farmer we attended in 2023 after his leg became trapped in farming machinery, was present at the event. His story demonstrates the impact and importance of effective pre-hospital critical care, and, thanks to the generous support of Martin and his partner Jenna, we presented a case study which featured throughout the day, bringing together several key messages from the conference. You can read Martin’s full story on pages 8-9.
A big thanks to our headline sponsors
“It was a great event. We had great interactions on the stand from ambulance staff of all grades, ED consultants and the DAA HEMS crew.
“It was evident that there was a great deal of time and consideration given to the planning and execution of this event. I hope that the success of the event will mean that there will be more to follow. I look forward to what other possibilities could come from future events.
Thank you to our guest speakers:
Clare Taylor Trauma and Orthopaedic Consultant
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Dr Ross Hemingway OBE Sports & Exercise Medicine GP, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Sports Medicine, University of Exeter
Dr Adam Brayne Anaesthetic SpR at University Hospitals
Plymouth
Ben Rogers Partner at Stewarts Law, who specialises in acting for claimants in catastrophic personal injury claims.
Practical afternoon sessions looked at: agricultural injury, equestrian injury, farm machinery and extraction, and medical equipment. These interactive sessions encouraged audiences to participate and collaborate, all serving as a powerful opportunity for cross-service professional development.
Masons Kings and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service ran an interactive display highlighting the capabilities and potential risks associated with heavy farm machinery. These covered common machinery dangers while demonstrating basic functionalities that could prove crucial to service providers in emergency situations.
ZOLL® gave a unique and vivid, hands-on experience, in which attendees were able to actively adjust the settings on a ventilator to see the direct impact these changes have on the lungs and, ultimately, patient outcomes, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding that is hard to achieve through
Eager to build on the success of the 2024 Medi-Connect Conference, planning for Medi-Connect 2025 is now underway.
For details of Medi-Connect 2025 please visit bit.ly/DAAMediConnect
Dean Gray Lecturer in Paramedic Science at University of Plymouth
Hugh Whitaker from exhibitor Ortus
Perfect Partnerships
Corporate partnerships are vital for both charities and businesses, fostering mutual growth and community impact.
For charities like us, these collaborations provide essential funding and resources to continue our mission and reach more people in need. For businesses, partnering with us can enhance your corporate social responsibility, boost employee morale, and strengthen your brand reputation through positive community involvement.
We are delighted to announce that The Jockey Club has chosen Devon Air Ambulance as their Charity Partner for 2024-25. This exciting partnership highlights the importance of our lifesaving services within the local community and particularly within the equestrian community. With the support of The Jockey Club, we look forward to engaging in numerous fundraising activities and events, including the DAA Race Day on Sunday 24th November 2024, which will help raise essential funds and awareness of our operations.
“We’re thrilled to have chosen Devon Air Ambulance as our charity partner of the year, supporting the incredible work they do in our beautiful county, every single day. Building strong relationships within the community and supporting great charities such as DAA is a core pillar within our long-term strategy at Exeter Racecourse. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve as a partnership throughout our 2024/25 season.” Jack Parkinson, General Manager, The Jockey Club.
Together, we can make a substantial impact, ensuring that we continue to provide critical emergency medical care when it is needed most. We invite other businesses to follow The Jockey Club’s inspiring example by choosing Devon Air Ambulance as their Charity of the Year.
Partnering with us offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the community, supporting a service that provides critical, lifesaving care. Your business will benefit from enhanced community engagement, positive brand association, and the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to a cause that truly saves lives. Join us in our mission and help ensure that we can continue to deliver rapid medical assistance when every second counts.
If you or your business would be interested in a becoming a Charity Partner for Devon Air Ambulance, please contact Corporate Partnership Manager Tracy at t.owen@daat.org
Tracy Owen Corporate Partnership Manager
Together, we are Devon Air
2024 Season Events
Wrapping Up 2024
A heartfelt thank you from the Fundraising Team!
As the year draws to a close, we at Devon Air Ambulance want to extend our thanks to everyone who has supported us throughout another wonderful year. From meeting many of you at shows, to witnessing incredible feats of bravery and creativity, this year has been a testament to the strength and generosity of our community.
DEVON AIR AMBU L ECNA
Celebrating a Successful Show Season
One of the highlights of our summer fundraising was our Bake Off for Take Off event. We are immensely grateful to all the bakers who whipped up a delicious array of cakes, brownies, and other treats in aid of our charity. Thanks to your collective efforts and generosity, we raised an impressive £5,689 through Bake Off for Take Off events this summer. Your contributions are crucial in helping us maintain our lifesaving service.
But the baking fun doesn’t have to end with summer! As we transition into the festive season, we’re excited to announce our Winter Bake Off for Take Off event. Whether you’re making Yule logs, mince pies, or Christmas cakes, we encourage you to continue supporting DAA with your wintry creations. Your participation not only raises funds but also brings festive cheer to our community. Let’s make this winter as sweet and successful as our summer!
This summer, we had the pleasure of meeting many of you at various events across the county. From Devon County Show to Totnes and Axe Vale, and not forgetting our first time at Torbay Airshow. Plus, the sunny added an extra layer of enjoyment to these events, making them even more memorable.
We also attended Exeter Pride for the first time, along with two Pride events. Additionally, we participated in Plymouth Armed Forces Day and the South Devon CAMRA Beer Festival. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding, and we are grateful for the opportunity to engage with such diverse and vibrant communities.
Bake Off for Take Off A Sweet Success
Daring Descent Abseil Scaling New Heights
October brought another thrilling event with the Daring Descent Abseil. We were amazed by the bravery of the individuals who took on the challenge of abseiling down the 80 foot Citadel Walls in Plymouth. This daunting feat was not only a personal triumph for each participant but also a significant boost for our fundraising efforts. Collectively, our brave abseilers have raised over £23,000 for Devon Air Ambulance so far. Your courage and dedication are deeply appreciated, and we thank you for going to such great heights to support our cause.
Special thanks to the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery for hosting this event for us.
The Sidmouth Golf Club has made a remarkable contribution to Devon Air Ambulance, raising a total of £7,533.85 through various fundraising activities. This impressive sum includes £5,000 from the 2023-24 men’s captain, John Spiller-Jones, who dedicated his year to supporting our charity. Additionally, £1,696.25 was collected by 23 club members participating in the 17th Sidmouth Rotary Swimathon in October 2023, and £837.60 was raised by the former ladies’ captain, Susan Hackett.
Pub Quiz Test Your Knowledge for a Good Cause
This year, we also launched our own pub quiz initiative: offering a fun and engaging way for people to support Devon Air Ambulance. Hosting a quiz night is a fantastic opportunity to bring friends, family, and communities together while raising funds for a vital cause. We encourage anyone interested to sign up and host a quiz in aid of DAA. It’s a wonderful way to have fun and make a difference. To get involved, please visit our website here: bit.ly/DAAPubQuiz
RIGHT John presenting the club’s fundraising cheque to DAA volunteer Simon Card
John Spiller-Jones & Sidmouth Golf Club
Your Crew’s Christmas Wishlist
A Christmas Wishlist that will help your Devon crew fly safely into the New Year
Hello
I’m Cat, Paramedic and Operations Manager at Devon Air Ambulance. Every one of our missions is important, but there is a special one we need your help with this Christmas: the mission to help us buy new specialist
beyond this – a hardworking, resilient flight suit and footwear that is functional, lightweight, and comfortable is essential, so your crew is dressed to save lives.
Suit up for the season
New flight suits with stretchy fabric, enhanced thermal properties and lightweight materials, offer greater flexibility and range of motion, making it easier for clinicians and pilots to perform tasks efficiently and safely. Ensuring our crews are warm and dry means they
These new flight suits are designed to be more durable, withstand the rigors of flight and reduce wear and tear over time. But this doesn’t come cheap. A pair of kneepads begins at £15.95 while it costs up to £265 for flight suit trousers and £364 for flight suit jackets for
It’s thanks to our kind and generous supporters that our lifesaving team continues to deliver expert time-critical
Catherine Hawkins Paramedic & Operations Manager
Your support can help patients like Sam...
Sam’s life changed in an instant earlier this year when, on his way to work with his colleague, a devastating car accident shattered his routine. A lorry travelling ahead stopped suddenly, and Sam’s vehicle made such an impact the airbags failed to deploy.
Sam was trapped. Even before clinicians arrived, three fire crews from across the county worked together to unpick Sam’s vehicle from the lorry wreckage. It was clear that this was a serious incident that required the expertise of our Critical Care crew. Sam recalls, ‘I remember seeing my foot somewhere near my waist or shoulder!’.
The DAA crew assessed Sam, gave him pain relief and stabilised him, ready to transfer him to the closest Major Trauma Centre, Derri in Plymouth. Sam underwent nearly ten hours of surgery for internal injuries and remained in an induced coma for four days. During this time, how Sam would recover and the quality of life he would have was unknown.
If it wasn’t for Devon Air Ambulance’s critical care, expertise and the speed of getting him to hospital, we don’t know if Sam would have survived. We couldn’t be more grateful. “
Sam’s girlfriend Maddy
Getting Your Crew Suited & Booted
Your generous donations fund cutting-edge kit and equipment
The kit and uniform our crew - pilots, paramedics and doctors - wear is fundamental to enabling them to undertake their challenging work.
Not only must crew contend with many different locations, including often rough and rugged rural terrain, but different seasons and the associated variable weather and temperatures too. Crew kit must be safe, versatile, flexible, resilient, breathable and comfortable.
While our current uniforms meet the required safety standards, the time has come to replace them and take advantage of the many benefits new flight suits will bring to our team.
Our crew is over 50 members strong, and each crew member needs more than one complete uniform including summer and winter weight items, so the costs do add up.
Here are some of the features of the most essential kit our crew needs to undertake their lifesaving work.
£265 Bomber Jackets
Christmas Appeal
£364 Hi-Vis Flight Jacket
The new flight suits are made of stretchy fabric that feature enhanced thermal properties, while the lightweight materials offer several benefits including increased mobility, improved comfort and durability. This high visibility flight jacket, worn here by our paramedic, Cat, is fire retardant and anti-static, featuring rip-stop fabric which helps to control the operator’s body temperature and protect the crews from fire should there be an accident during flight. The pockets and ancillary design features of the flight suit have all been designed with a specific practical purpose. These new materials are designed to withstand the rigors of flight and reduce wear and tear.
£185 Dynamic Top
The dynamic jacket is made of fire-retardant materials with maximum breathable cotton that is better suited to hotter summer weather. It also has a new woven front which allows the wearer to add a radio dock to it, a feature unavailable in our previous model.
£265 Trousers
The DAA uniform, consisting of a long-sleeved jacket and trousers, is specifically designed and made in the UK to address the specific specialist needs of the crew. Trousers need to be hard-wearing and allow for a range of motion, to make it easier for clinicians and pilots to move and perform tasks efficiently. Lightweight materials reduce the overall weight of the suit, making it more comfortable to wear for extended periods. A standard shift is 10 hours, but it’s not uncommon for our crew to work beyond this.
Overall, the trousers have been streamlined, the pockets
Volunteer Responders
On May 3rd 2022 Devon Air Ambulance introduced a scheme where a number of the clinical team could volunteer a proportion of their time to the enhanced and critical care needs of the people of Devon. This became known as the Volunteer Responder Scheme.
Advanced Pre-hospital Practitioner and Volunteer Responder Scheme Lead, Lee Hilton, explains how the service has evolved.
Launching this scheme required a considerable amount of planning and preparation, but it became immediately apparent that in order to develop these roles successfully, even more work would be required.
Originally, three of the team, all Critical Care Paramedics, volunteered as part of the pilot scheme. Responding volunteers are equipped with much of the lifesaving equipment that is carried on one of Devon Air Ambulance’s critical care cars and helicopters. The cost of setting up a volunteer critical care paramedic is approximately £5,000 to £7,000. This was funded by the charity, through ongoing donations from members of the public. The vehicles had to be fitted with blue lights and sirens for the purposes of responding safely to emergency calls. It was also necessary for responders to ensure that their personal vehicles were appropriately serviced, insured and inspected so they could be used for emergency responding. Devon Air Ambulance ensures that responders’ vehicles comply with standards set by the Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team. Southwestern
Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, who partner with Devon Air Ambulance to run the Volunteer Responder Scheme, ensure that vehicles are inspected regularly alongside their ambulance fleet. The responsibility to insure, service and maintain the volunteer’s vehicle sits with the driver, alongside the decision to claim any road traffic exemptions when responding to a 999 call. All responders hold a level-three Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving.
When the volunteer is available to respond, they book ‘available’ using the National Mobilisation Application on a mobile phone provided by the ambulance service. All calls are then passed to this device by the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) dispatchers based in the ambulance control room when they identify a patient who is likely to benefit from any of the additional skills offered by a HEMS service. Volunteer critical care paramedics are dispatched in the same way a Devon Air Ambulance critical care car or helicopter is allocated. The volunteer responder can provide the same level
of care as if they were responding as part of their paid employment. This includes the ability to provide sedation, manage challenging airways, provide surgical interventions at the roadside and support the enhanced care needs for patients, in addition to that available to a paramedic on an ambulance.
There are three main occasions when a volunteer responder may be dispatched:
1 The responder is much closer than another enhanced or critical care resource, or
2 No other enhanced or critical care resource is available, or
3 The scale of the incident suggests that additional enhanced or critical care resources are required.
In May 2023 Devon Air Ambulance and Southwestern Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust decided to substantiate the Volunteer Responder Scheme in response to its proven benefit to patients.
Volunteers are equipped with much of the lifesaving equipment that is carried on one of Devon Air Ambulance’s critical care cars and helicopters
care to an additional 82 patients that otherwise would not have been supported by Devon Air Ambulance. This is so important when we consider the rural geography of Devon and the need to reach as many patients who require our care as possible.
The next steps for the Volunteer responder Scheme is to continue to grow our service so we are able to reach even more patients who need our care. We hope that in the future we are also able to introduce our critical care doctors to the scheme (something that has not been previously possible due to the driving standards requirement and time taken to achieve this qualification).
The review of the pilot scheme revealed that many patients were provided with enhanced care procedures to support their needs, that would otherwise have been unavailable or delayed, had a volunteer not been available. Volunteers also supported ambulance colleagues in other ways. This included scene leadership, supporting complex decision making and facilitating direction and forward momentum to ensure patients were taken to the right care facility promptly.
Now, over two years on, the Volunteer Responder Scheme continues to benefit patients across the South West. We now have five Volunteer Responders - all critical care paramedics, employed by Devon Air Ambulance - who have responded to 194 incidents, treating 135 patients in total. Of these patients treated, the Volunteer Responder Scheme was the only enhanced care resource at 82 of these cases. This means that we have been able to offer
It is important for me to conclude with a statement of extreme thanks to our wonderful members of the public. Such innovation would not be possible if it wasn’t for the kind and generous donations that you offer us. So, on behalf of the Volunteer Responder Scheme and wider Devon Air Ambulance Team, a wholehearted thank you!
Thank you!
Lee Hilton Josh Barker
Darren Hall
Darren Goodwin Alex Sanders-Page
Our VRS Team
Tough times don’t last,
tough people do!
Every Monday morning started in the same way for Jane and her daughter, Anna. The mother and daughter team typically head down to their stables shortly after 7am to look after their horses, walk their dogs and then head off to their respective workplaces. This Monday morning was different though...
When their alarms went off on Monday 27th November 2023, Jane and Anna were blissfully unaware of how different this Monday would be. Jane would suffer a major heart attack later in the day, with Anna performing lifesaving CPR for over 20 minutes.
A Strange Atmosphere
That fateful morning, Anna was rushed out of bed by her mum, who appeared to be in a particularly bad mood, which Anna says is completely out of character.
‘This had never happened before, mum is the most calm, placid person who never raises her voice. But on this day, she was angry and feeling rushed against time. She was even angry on the way to the yard, shouting at me in the car for forgetting something.
Once we were at the stables, around 7:40am, I found mum leaning over the stable door complaining of stomach pains. I tried to tell her to sit down for a minute, but she was adamant she was fine to carry on.’
On the way home, Anna stopped at her Grandad’s house to visit and walk the dogs. Recalling her mum’s strange mood that morning to her grandad, he suggested that she go back and check on her.
‘As I was walking through the door at 8:54am, I got a message from mum saying ‘are you on your way back? I’m not feeling well again’ and as I came in, for whatever reason, I took the door off the latch thinking that I should leave it open just in case anyone needed to get in.’
Jane instructed her daughter to take her blood pressure reading and text her friend, who is a doctor, to ask her what she thinks. Recalling the next few minutes, Anna said, ‘Suddenly mum was telling me she had pins and needles in her arms. And with that, she started fitting. I instantly called 999 at 9:08am and then she stopped breathing.’
Jane’s condition did not improve, and as soon as her body was still, Anna moved her to the floor to begin administering CPR.
Anna added: ‘Having completed a first aid course the month before I knew what to do, but never thought I would have to put it into practice. I performed CPR for 20 minutes, completely on my own. The incredible 999 call handler kept the timings, making me count 1,2,3,4 out loud to keep the rhythm.’
During this time, a land ambulance had been dispatched and was on the way to support Anna.
Help is on its way
‘We have the closest bond, not only as mother and daughter but best friends too - I just knew I could not lose her. I could hear the sirens coming and it felt like the longest time but knowing that I had made sure the door wasn’t locked, I didn’t leave my mum. I just kept on going with the CPR. When the land ambulance crew arrived, I
remember them saying ‘you’re doing a great job, carry on.’ It was at that point that I started getting emotional whilst telling them what had happened.’
The land ambulance crew applied a defibrillator and, thankfully, were successful in restoring a normal heartbeat for Jane. At this point, Anna was able to step out of the room and contact family members for the first time. She called her brother and grandad before returning to the room, hoping to see some improvement with her mum.
A Glimmer of Hope
‘When I walked back in, she had an oxygen mask on but there was no other response. I was told the air ambulance was on its way and my heart sank, I now knew this was serious. I remember being stood in the road and seeing these two men in red suits walking towards us. Just like in the films, it felt like they were walking down the hill in slow motion.’
DAA Doctor, Tony, explained to Anna that he was going to put her mum to sleep to protect her vital organs.
‘If it wasn’t for Devon Air Ambulance, my mum either wouldn’t be with us today, or wouldn’t have any brain function. Once she was stable enough to transport, DAA’s doctor travelled with her in the land ambulance, and we followed behind.’
A Glimmer of Hope
Our Patients
At Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital, Jane was kept in an induced coma for three days where she had multiple scans of her brain and heart, all of which surprisingly showed no bleeds or lasting damage.
Jane had suffered a rare kind of heart attack, known as SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) and an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
‘The care we received was outstanding, both for mum and for us as a family. On day three when nobody thought there was any sign of brain function, she squeezed my brother’s hand. It was the glimmer of hope we had all been praying for.’
Hours later, Jane was successfully breathing on her own with only the help of an oxygen mask. Still unaware of the extent of her brain function, Jane’s family and doctors were overjoyed when she removed her mask and said ‘I love you, take me home’ to Anna. After 10 days in hospital, Jane was allowed to go home ready to spend Christmas with family. Anna said, ‘My mum is the strongest person I know; she defied all odds and is the biggest fighter!’
“My mum and my whole family will be forever grateful to the paramedics and the air ambulance crew, especially Tony and Liam, for saving her life. Working as such an incredible team and quite literally bringing the hospital to her home saved her.
Devon’s SUPERSTAR Supporters
Local pubs, The Bicton Inn (Exmouth) and The Claycutter Arms (Chudleigh Knighton) are showing their support in creative ways, creating unique tributes to our helicopters and crew to raise awareness of our work which we absolutely love!
Devon Air Ambulance relies on the incredible support of our community to continue our lifesaving work. Our supporters’ dedication to fundraising has been nothing short of inspirational, ensuring that our charity remains ready to respond to emergencies and save lives.
A MASSIVE THANK YOU to each and every one of our superstar supporters!
St Margaret’s parish church, in Stoodleigh, held an auction in May, splitting proceeds between DAA and the church. With the hard work of members and donations from local businesses and villagers, they raised £1,349.49 for DAA.
For their 50th wedding anniversary in April, Austin and Carol Evans of Bovey Tracey celebrated with family and friends at Stover Golf Club. Instead of presents, they suggested donations to charity. As long-time supporters, they chose DAA and were delighted to donate £500, thanks to their guests’ generosity.
Back in April, DAA volunteer Chloe Wilson organised an event in partnership with Tom Rudderham from White Star Heritiage, bringing the Titanic Exhibition to Longdown in Devon. The event was a huge success, raising an incredible £2,056.03.
East Devon Tractor, Machinery & Engine Club held their annual Spring Charity Tractor Road Run in April. Thirty tractors travelled 27 miles from Farringdon to Pynes Farm Shop, Budleigh Salterton, for a lunch stop. A raffle and donations raised £320.00 for DAA.
A heartfelt thank you to Jamie Jones, a dedicated 1st Crediton Scouts member, for organising a fundraising coffee morning. Jamie held a bucket collection at the village Ale Festival, followed by a morning of tea, coffee, bacon and sausage baps, and cakes. His efforts raised an impressive £403, contributing vital funds for our lifesaving work. Thank you, Jamie!
After receiving assistance from DAA, Sev and Lena Gostynski raised and donated £721.82 for the charity by organising a charity fishing match, BBQ, and raffle at Goodiford Mill. Thank you, Sev and Lena!
Newton Abbot’s 2023 - 2024 Mayor, Cllr David Corney-Walker chose DAA as his charity of the year, raising £2,059.86 during his tenure. Thank you, Cllr David and the people of Newton Abbot, for your support.
Maureen Worrall hosted a garden coffee morning with cakes, pies, a raffle, plant stall, and bargain stall. With all of this amazing work raising, £470 for DAA. Maureen is pictured above (left) with her helper, Fay.
Honiton Young Farmers generously donated £5,000, showcasing their dedication to community support. Last year, they chose Devon Air Ambulance and Brake as beneficiaries and held a memorial run in July for a late member. Their contributions are deeply appreciated.
Jeff Laing and the Devon Golf Captains team visited Eaglescott Airbase. Their dinner event raised £1,500 for Devon Air Ambulance, marking the end of their Charity of the Year period.
Zeal Monachorum hosted a successful Casino Night at The Waie Inn to raise funds for Devon Air Ambulance, featuring a Mobile Casino and raffle with prizes. Thanks to Mandy Smith and her team for their generous donation of £2,027!
Tor Haven Fellowship residents held a craft fayre with handmade crafts, successfully raising £800 for DAA. A huge thank you!
The Hawkchurch Christmas Tree Festival, which has been running for the past 18 years, lets visitors vote for their favourite tree and in 2023, winner, Rob Smith chose DAA as the event’s seasonal charity.
A huge thank you to Ben Bengey, Rob Williams, and Andy Cheal (aka the Mountain Mavericks) for undertaking the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’, raising £1,165 between them, with Ben & Rob completing the challenge in 13.5 hours, demonstrating peak DAA dedication!
Graham, Sandra, Nigel, and Yvonne organised a local fundraising event in June, featuring live music, a buffet, and a grand draw, all kindly supported by Ocean Suite, Exmouth. Raising £1,250!
The North Devon Golf Club Ladies Section, led by Captain Ruth Davies, chose DAA as their charity of the year. Ruth thanked members for their generosity and support, especially acknowledging Liz McKay and Paula Gibbs for contributing over £2,000.
Former patient, Terry Jones, carried out a sponsored walk and big breakfast fundraising event for DAA, raising £2,000 – Thank you, Terry!
Jessica Kingdon marked her 16th birthday by signing up to a skydive and generously supported DAA by asking for sponsorship in lieu of presents, raising £532.69!
South Devon CAMRA, elected DAA to be their chosen charity at the recent Sunshine & Cider festival, held at Teignmouth Rugby Club in July, raising a fantastic, £873 at the event. Thank you!
DAA were the fortunate beneficiaries of this year’s Yelverton Tractor Rally, held in May. 55 Tractors took part in the rambling rally, towing in an impressive £2,170.66!
Huge thanks to South Hams Vintage Machinery Club for the generous £300, which DAA volunteer Rex Brown (Pictured middle), accepted following their recent road runs and vintage rally.
iPlanning an event or challenge?
We’d love to hear from you!
Contact our fundraising team at fundraising@daat.org to see how we can support your efforts to raise money for Devon Air Ambulance’s lifesaving work.
out&about
Your continuing support ensures that our crews can carry out their lifesaving work throughout the entire county, in our towns, cities and villages, on our coast and right across the wildest parts of our county and beyond.
Over & Under
Incident site access can sometimes prove challenging!
Say cheese!
Always a friendly face, Rhiannon busts out her lifesaving smile
Operational Support
Thank you to two organisations whose incredible support we receive at many of our missions - Dartmoor Search & Rescue team and HM Coastguard.
Crew’s Eye View
You’ve heard of a ‘bird’s eye view’, but the views from our helicopters can be just as impressive!
The Red Arrows
Burning Down the House
Josh’s burnt Bake Off for Take Off submission. A fair attempt, but maybe stick to the lifesaving Josh...
Red Arrows fly by Exeter Airbase
Celebrating our of RUNNING HEROES 2024
In 2024, we have been truly fortunate to have a remarkable number of supporters taking on personal challenges, exploring new activities, and participating in the hobbies they love. These dedicated individuals have laced up their running shoes to support our mission and ensure our crew remains operational.
Every mile run has translated into significant funds for our lifesaving charity. As of today, we have received an extraordinary £16,627 (and counting) in sponsorships and donations from various running endeavours this year. A heartfelt thank you goes to every runner; your commitment has been vital in enabling our crew to respond to emergencies.
Runners have tackled a range of distances, from 5K (3.1 miles) to an impressive 71K (44 miles!), representing Devon Air Ambulance at numerous events across the county, including the Fast Friday 10K, Plymouth Ocean City Running Festival, Great West Run, Exeter 10K, Bideford Half Marathon, Torbay Marathon, and Acronyms Tamar 10K. Our supporters have also made their mark in outof-county events including the Great North Run and the London Marathon.
We are honoured to be the charity partner for three running organisations: CityRuns, Wild Running, and RunFit RunFast, who are all hosting races in aid of DAA. Additional thanks to the coaches at RunFit RunFast who have provided expert care and tips to our DAA runners throughout 2024.
Bob Huntington took on a personal challenge by signing
up for a 10K run, which turned into completing three 10K races in Exeter and Plymouth for DAA. Inspired by his first race, Bob’s wife Shirley joined him for a 5K race.
Another inspiring supporter, Luke Stavely-Wadham, tested his endurance by completing a solo ultra-marathon of 44 miles along the Tamar Coast to Coast path.
“A heartfelt thank you goes to every runner; your commitment has been vital in enabling our crew to respond to emergencies.
Inspired by his first race, Bob’s wife Shirley joined him for a 5K race
i• Are you passionate about running?
• Looking for a new challenge in the New Year?
• Want to test your stamina?
• Part of a running club that can support Devon Air Ambulance?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, we would love to hear from you!
Luke Stavely-Wadham
Seasonal Safety Advice from
Bridge Motorcycles wants customers to feel safe and confident on the road by offering annual servicing, vehicle health checks and repairs, alongside advice on protective gear.
Safety is crucial year-round, but winter riding requires increased caution due to low winter sun causing glare, shorter daylight hours, frequent rain, and hidden hazards like potholes covered by water or leaves, making it essential for riders to be vigilant and plan their routes carefully.
Preparing your motorcycle for winter in the UK is vital. Regular vehicle health checks ensure all lights are working, tyres have good tread, brake pads are up to standard, and fluid levels are adequate. Winter conditions often lead to salt accumulation on roads, which can cause chain rust. Clean and lubricate your chain after each ride, wash your bike to remove salt, and use anti-rust spray on exposed metal. Regularly check tyre tread depth and pressure, watching for signs of wear.
Knowing basic motorcycle maintenance is key to safety and reliability. It helps prevent mechanical failures and increases rider confidence. Bridge offers winter maintenance evenings to help riders learn essential skills, covering basic bike care, tyre maintenance, fluid checks, and more, the proceeds from which help support Devon Air Ambulance.
Visibility is a major concern in winter. Ensure your bike’s lights are clean and operational and be sure to carry a microfiber cloth and visor cleaner. Consider a pinlock visor insert for better visibility and use auxiliary lighting for safety.
Consider a Pinlock visor insert for better visibility and use auxiliary lighting for added safety. Wear high-vis clothing to reduce risk, as well as winter-appropriate gear like textile or GoreTex jackets and trousers, waterproof gloves, full-face helmets, and GoreTex boots.
Wear high-vis clothing to reduce risk, as well as winter-appropriate gear like textile or Gore-Tex jackets and trousers, waterproof gloves, full-face helmets, and Gore-Tex boots. Plan your route, check the forecast, and assess road conditions. In severe weather, consider whether it’s safe to continue, and be honest about your comfort level and the challenges posed by the weather.
Bridge Motorcycles are a year-round Devon Air Ambulance supporter, organising bike nights in the summer and, in the winter, running maintenance evenings, with proceeds contributing to the Charity’s vital services.
Enhance your motorcycle knowledge, stay connected with the community, and keep up with the latest from Bridge Motorcycles at bridgemotorcycles.com/news
From motorbiker... to fundraising hiker
After surviving a life-threatening motorcycle incident and receiving critical care from Devon Air Ambulance, one determined biker is now dedicating himself to a year of fundraising, turning his gratitude into action to support the charity that helped save his life.
Charlie Hoole was making his way home from a motorcycle ride with friends on a summer’s day in June 2023. Winding his way down Blackdown Hill, towards his home in Chard, he was involved in a head-on collision that left him in a critical condition with multiple serious injuries including a broken hip and pelvis and open fractures, resulting in a considerable amount of blood loss.
‘I came round a corner and my brake pads stuck, so I overshot the corner and had a head on collision with a Kia coming the other way. My knee was the first thing to make an impact with the car, then I was thrown up onto the windscreen and over the roof, landing around 25 metres away from the point of impact. The bike ended up in two pieces quite far away from the car.’
Luckily for Charlie, the driver of an oncoming vehicle first to arrive at the scene, was an off-duty nurse who carried a medical kit in her car. The stranger immediately sprang into action and supported Charlie until the emergency services arrived. Due to the incident’s location and the severity of Charlie’s injuries, Devon Air Ambulance crews were quickly dispatched to respond with their roadside critical care.
“My knee was the first thing to make an impact with the car, then I was thrown up onto the windscreen and over the roof, landing around 25 meters away from the point of impact.
Swift Lifesaving Action
After being assessed at the scene, given pain relief and stabalised, Charlie was taken to Bristol Southmead Hospital by air. Commenting on the response time and treatment received, Charlie said, ‘The speed of everything was incredible, I had my accident between 3:30 and 4pm, had received treatment at the scene, was loaded into the helicopter and arrived in hospital in Bristol by 7:30pm. I remember hearing the helicopter as it landed, the warm honey-like feeling of a blanket being placed on me and the breeze as the helicopter doors opened when we arrived in Bristol, but I don’t remember much of else of the journey.’
Early the next morning, Charlie was taken into surgery for a lengthy operation which would begin to repair his femur and knee. The next day, he was back in surgery for his first hip operation, followed by another major operation around seven days later.
On day four of Charlie’s hospital stay the surgeons operated on his arm to repair the injuries to his elbow and wrist. In total, Charlie went through between 40-50 hours of surgery.
‘I think I have been strong throughout the entire process. Seven weeks after the accident, I got married and was supposed to be in a wheelchair all day, but I was stubborn and survived the day with just my crutches’
Turning Gratitude into Action Through Fundraising
After surviving the harrowing motorcycle accident and receiving lifesaving care from Devon Air Ambulance, Charlie has embarked on a year-long fundraising mission to give back. He has already tackled Mount Snowdon and has plans for a series of challenging
A Message from The Charity
activities throughout the year, running up to the twoyear anniversary of his accident. His grand finale will be a 75-mile walk from Bristol Southmead Hospital, where he was treated, to his home in Chard, symbolising the long journey he has made from injury to recovery, as well as his deep gratitude to those who have helped him along the way.
When Charlie was in hospital, his family and friends set up a GoFundMe account to support the family and they received 186 donations in total, therefore Charlie has decided to start his JustGiving page with £186 as a nod to those who donated during his worst days.
Everyone at Devon Air Ambulance is incredibly inspired by Charlie’s determination and generosity. His journey from recovery to giving back is truly remarkable, and we are cheering him on every step of the way. Best of luck with your fundraising challenges – thank you for making such a difference in enabling us to be there for more people in need of urgent critical care.
Charlie’s story is a strong reminder that –Together, we are Devon Air Ambulance
Charlie and pals at the summit of Snowdon
Remembering Mike
Michael Baddick, a founding crew member of Devon Air Ambulance has died at the age of 66.
Born in 1958 in Ilfracombe to Raymond George Baddick and Margaret (née Filer) Baddick, Michael was the middle of three children. He was a smart boy, but left school at 15 with few qualifications to his name. Deciding to join the army, he was quickly identified for his drive and discipline and was enrolled at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, graduating to become the youngest ever commissioned officer in the British Army at the time.
Mike’s truest calling was in the service of others. Despite his obvious aptitude for life in the army, Mike was torn between the pursuit of a military career and the love of his life, Louise. Dating since the age of 15, there are few so lucky to have found their soulmate at such a young age. Clear that a life in the officers’ mess was not for Lou, it therefore wasn’t for Mike either. Leaving the army with the rank of Lieutenant at the age of 24, Mike and Lou returned to North Devon.
Mike’s desire to serve others was truly realised when he joined the Ambulance Service where he trained as a Paramedic. Then, on the 27th of August 1992, Mike Baddick flew on Devon Air Ambulance’s first mission and remained with the charity for 10 years, attending over 2,500 serious incidents in Devon, saving countless lives and giving families a future that they would not have had without his service.
On the 27th of August 1992, Mike Baddick flew on Devon Air Ambulance’s first mission and remained with the charity for 10 years, attending over 2,500 serious incidents in Devon.
“I remember Mike from those very first emotional and exciting times launching our air ambulance, and the enormous pride, and intrepidation he demonstrated for what we were doing. He was a man of dedication, integrity, great humour, intelligence and skill. Just a few days after the launch of our service, with Mike as one of the paramedics on board, the crew saved a man’s life on Haldon Hill.
Paramedics go through the trauma of seeing gut wrenching scenes that we on the outside can only imagine and it takes immense bravery to live through that and continue delivering an incredible service.
I thank Mike from the bottom of my heart and honour him for being one of the first on our air ambulance, and for all the lives he has saved.
My thoughts and condolences are with his family.”
ABOVE: Michael (third from right in back row) at the 1992 launch and blessing of the first Devon Air Ambulance
Ann Ralli, Devon Air Ambulance founder, said of Mike:
2
DAA Treasures
Both shortlisted in the 2024 Charity Retail Association Awards, here’s why Volunteer, Clive, and Plymouth Manager, Vanessa, are so special.
Volunteer’s 5,000-hour gift amounts to 12 lifesaving missions
Retail Volunteer, Clive Burke, has donated an incredible 5,000 hours of volunteering time to Devon Air Ambulance.
Clive’s incredible commitment to DAA has saved the charity an estimated £57,000 in labour - enough to cover the cost of 12 lifesaving missions. With that in mind, it is no wonder he was shortlisted in the 2024 Charity Retail Association Awards, which recognise the incredible work and dedication of those in the charity sector.
Clive, himself a former patient, volunteers at our Barnstaple Hub shop and has been an integral part of the Devon Air Ambulance volunteer team for five years. During this time, alongside family care responsibilities and managing his own health, Clive has undertaken an entire host of voluntary activities, not least in helping to fill a gap when a staff member was off work for three months.
Clive continues to enhance his skills in retail, undertaking additional training to become an Enhanced Volunteer and is now a nominated keyholder who confidently mentors and helps new volunteers, while taking pride in every task and encouraging others to do the same. Clive was airlifted by Devon Air Ambulance in May 2004 when he underwent emergency brain surgery for Hydrocephalus at Derriford hospital in Plymouth and it was this traumatic experience that ignited his desire to give back to the charity.
Clive’s willingness to lend a helping hand no matter what, embodies the true spirit of volunteering, and we are incredibly grateful to him for his generous nature and for all that he has given to the charity.
“Clive was airlifted by Devon Air Ambulance in May 2004 when he underwent emergency brain surgery for Hydrocephalus at Derriford hospital in Plymouth and it was this traumatic experience that ignited his desire to give back to the charity.
Meet the
manager
Our shops could not operate without
our fantastic
volunteers, but a top team always has the backing of a marvellous manager.
Vanessa Hawken is Manager at our Plymouth charity shop and true team champion.
Having a dedicated team of volunteers with diverse needs and requirements, Vanessa always makes sure that everyone has a wonderful experience at the Plymouth shop. Ensuring that people feel heard, supported and motivated, she always takes time to check in on their wellbeing.
On top of the many benefits she brings to Plymouth, not least improving efficiency with Assistant Manager, Kathy, she comes up with creative solutions to stock-managing challenges and reorganising those crucial spaces away from the shop floor. Vanessa is foremost a great support to her volunteers whose carers and families are very thankful for the support she lends to their loved ones.
Because she’s not busy enough already, after running the Plymouth Marathon for DAA, Vanessa helmed the launch of our Mishap Fashion range at the Plymouth store and, using her knowledge of the local community, created the perfect space for this range, bringing in over £300 in the first week!
Vanessa’s commitment extends far beyond her dayto-day shop duties. From arranging volunteer meals, to day trips and walks, she ensures that everyone feels included and part of the charity, providing opportunities for some volunteers that they might not normally have the chance to experience. We are so grateful to Vanessa for her incredible support and dedication to Devon Air Ambulance.
Vanessa recieiving her ‘Volunteer of the Year ‘award at the Charity Retail Association annual awards with Pete and Retail Area Manager Phil
“Vanessa helmed the launch of our Mishap Fashion range and, using her knowledge of the local community, created the perfect space for this range, bringing in over £300 in the first week! Saving lives. Together
Vanessa & Head of Business Development Pete Vallance
Volunteer spotlight
Retail & e-Commerce Volunteers
Volunteers are crucial to our retail sector; keeping high street shops open, and online shops operating, with both raising vital funds to support our lifesaving missions.
Our 21 shops across Devon are at the heart of the communities we serve. With a diverse range for Devon locals to choose from, including, Vintage and Variety shops in Dartmouth and Topsham, and a dedicated Media Shop and Community Hub in Barnstaple (plus 17 other great shops across the county!), they’re a great place for the public to visit.
In addition, we have two online shopping platforms; shopDAAT.org and eBay. These enable us to reach more people and provide our supporters with another way to shop with us. Working behind the scenes to support these sites are our logistics team, transferring stock from our warehouse to shops across the county.
We recognise that every volunteer has different skills to offer, and our retail sector provides lots of varied and interesting volunteering opportunities, making it a great area of our charity to get involved in, as well as a great way to support your local community.
We have Retail Volunteer roles to suit everyone!
Retail Volunteer
Help to create a welcoming, friendly and accessible store; a great place for shoppers and donors to visit time and again. From sorting and pricing goods to helping on the shop floor, you’ll have the chance to meet lots of people.
e-Commerce Volunteer (Barnstaple and Exeter)
Use your digital skills, including research, photography, and online listing, to help maximise what we make on our donations.
Logistics Volunteer (Exeter)
Volunteer as a driver’s mate to ensure the efficient movement of stock between our warehouse and shops.
Carol Grice, e-Commerce Volunteer: ‘I started volunteering for Devon Air Ambulance at HQ, helping with a variety of duties, from finance and fundraising to reception and filing. My employer at the time gave me a day a year to volunteer with DAA, after I retired, I increased my volunteering at HQ to two days a week. When DAA launched their eBay platform I assisted with that and have since gone on to support Shop DAAT in Barnstaple with sorting and measuring items ready for listing, as well as packing customer orders. It’s so satisfying volunteering for such a worthy cause. We have great staff, so kind, helpful and welcoming.’
a route to employment Volunteering pathways
Volunteering provides a great many benefits to volunteers, not least in developing valuable experience and meeting new people. Some volunteers have even discovered a route to employment through volunteering with us.
Aimee Sandwell and Kyle Baird are two volunteers who successfully secured new jobs thanks to their experience volunteering in our shops.
Kyle Baird secured employment in retail
Kyle began volunteering at our Barnstaple shop in summer 2023 with the aim of developing his confidence and skills so he could work towards paid employment. Kyle was pleased that Shop Manager, Kevin, encouraged him and his fellow volunteers to grow in confidence and learn transferable skills. Here, Kyle trained in Gift Aid, stock management, cash handling and till procedures, and customer service skills.
Kyle said, ‘It has been a helpful experience, and I gained my confidence with customer service, working on a till and dealing with stock.’
Kyle’s volunteering experience with us enabled him to move onto the next stage of his career path. In early 2024, just six months after joining us, Kyle secured a role working three days a week at Pay It Forward, a secondhand shop also in Barnstaple.
Aimee Sandwell secured employment in the NHS
In Autumn 2018, Aimee began volunteering in our Barnstaple shop with the ambition of gaining some work experience alongside her studies at Petroc College where she was studying IT.
Aimee said, ‘Working at the Barnstaple shop helped me to develop my communication skills as I have dyslexia and a mild speech impediment. The team here have always been really supportive of me and helped me to develop these key skills.’
Aimee went on to further study at Petroc as part of Project Search, which aims to help people with learning needs and autism to move into employment.
With this course and the experience gained volunteering alongside her team in Barnstaple, in 2022 Aimee began full-time employment on a fixed-term contract within the Medical Records Department at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Your time and enthusiasm can help save lives.
We are so proud of what our volunteers achieve, every one of them is a lifesaver, and we are incredibly grateful to them for their generous gift of time and skill in support of our service. Our volunteers give so much to us, we are so pleased that our volunteers can take something so valuable away from their experience with us.
Whether you’re looking to give back to your community, develop new skills, or meet like-minded individuals, there’s a role for you.
For more information and to register your interest please visit www.daat.org/volunteer, email volunteer@daat.org or pop into your local shop.
Business ONBOARD
Lunch & Learn!
Thank you! Our corporate partners play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our charity. From fundraising initiatives, pro-bono services, sponsorship or challenge events, all are essential to our charity’s security and progress -
The first Lunch & Learn session took place this summer, supported by our new partners at Accord Healthcare.
During this session, Accord staff had the opportunity to learn more about our service and gained first-hand insights from a patient about how our lifesaving crew came to their aid.
These lunchtime sessions are a great chance for your staff to chat with our crew, while also discussing future fundraising opportunities for your organisation - BYOS rules apply (bring your own sandwiches)!
To book your place or learn more about these sessions:
Please book your place today by emailing t.owen@daat.org
Our charity partners play an important role in saving lives across Devon and beyond. We always welcome the chance to make a positive impact on local communities by working with new charity partners in a mutually beneficial relationship.
If you’re considering a new corporate partnership, then please contact Tracy directly at t.owen@daat.org or download our corporate pack at bit.ly/corporate-pack
Prize Crossword
Thank you to crossword fans who entered our Helipad Prize Crossword in the Summer 2024 issue. Peter from Topsham is the winner of a case of Chopper Ale generously donated by Torbay’s Bays Brewery.
This time, the lucky winning entry of our Autumn Winter 2024 crossword will win a family pass to RHS Rosemoor valid for a whole year!
Clues Across
1. Paignton-born tennis player Sue (6)
4. A smooth, slender North American herb with showy white or pink flowers (8)
10. Construction set designed for children (7)
11. South Devon coastal town, famous for fishing and pirates! (7)
12. Thought (4)
13. They play a specific brass instrument (10)
15. A number equal to 1 followed by 48 zeros (9)
16. Japanese technique for reducing stress and promoting healing (5)
18. A type of white heron (5)
19. Language spoken in a mountainous country located between Russia and China (9)
21. Poison you put down to kill plants like dandelions (10)
23. When the moon appears to decrease in size (4)
26. Wrap closely together (7)
27. Rowdy boy behaviour (7)
28. Design of initials, as on a crest (8)
29. Isambard Kingdom, famous 19th century civil engineer (6)
Clues Down
1. Disney’s baby deer (5)
2. Jane Eyre’s leading man (9)
3. A school test (4)
5. The white of an egg (7)
6. Male partner getting married (10)
7. Freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains (5)
8. Cost to get in or confession (9)
9. Three Greek goddesses, known in English as ‘The Fates’ (6)
14. Surprise military attack calculated to create shock and disorientation (10)
15. Bury or drown beneath a mass of something (9)
17. Not the real thing (9)
19. A fighting force, often raised from the civilian population (7)
20. A slender sewing implement or to provoke someone (6)
22. Consumed (5)
24. Musical theatre star Merman (5)
25. Poland’s second longest river (4)
How to enter (and terms & conditions)
Complete the crossword to reveal the letters in the shaded boxes – simply solve the anagram to identify a word relating to DAA.
Enter online at www.daat.org/crossword-competition-winter-2024 or by writing your name, contact details and the answer on a postcard and posting to : The Editor, Helipad Crossword Competition Autumn/Winter 2024, Devon Air Ambulance, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter, EX4
The competition is free to enter, one entry per person.
The closing date for entries is midnight on Monday 31 March 2025 when the successful winning entry will be selected at random.
Full Terms and Conditions can be found at: www.daat.org/crossword-winter-2024-terms-and-conditions or by writing to The Editor at the above address
Your generous support keeps Devon Air Ambulance crews responding. Sign up to make a regular gift today and receive a complementary Devon Air Ambulance pin badge and show your support with pride.
Keeping in Touch
daat.org – You’ll find lots of information about the Charity and our service on our website. There are many ways to contact the team at Devon Air Ambulance:
If you’ve been airlifted or helped by us, go to our Your Patient Story page and tell us your story. www.daat.org/your-story
For all sorts of fundraising advice and event information, visit our Get Involved pages. daat.org/fundraising
If you’ve been assisted by DAA, and want to thank the crew visit our Thank the Crew page on our operational website. daatcl.co.uk/thank-the-crew
Instruction to your bank or building society
Please pay Devon Air Ambulance Regular Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with Devon Air Ambulance Regular and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.
Branch sort code
Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society
To: The Manager of Address Bank/Building Society
Postcode
Signature(s)
Date
Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Bank/Building Society account number Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions from some types of account
Please now complete your details below
Name Address Postcode
Telephone
Email
I wish to give Devon Air Ambulance Trust a donation of £ per month/quarter/year (delete as appropriate)
Please take Direct Debits on 6th/20th of the month (delete as appropriate)
I wish to give Devon Air Ambulance Trust a donation of £ per month/quarter/year (delete as appropriate)
Please take Direct Debits on 6th/20th of the month (delete as appropriate)
We take your personal data seriously and do not sell on or share with any third party. If you would like to receive our Helipad magazine or occasional information about the Charity please tick: Post ¨ Email ¨
We take your personal data seriously and do not sell on or share with any third party. If you would like to receive our Helipad magazine or occasional information about the Charity please tick: Post ¨ Email ¨ Telephone ¨ SMS Message ¨
¨ I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ ___________ to Devon Air Ambulance ¨ I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ ___________ and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to Devon Air Ambulance
Please notify the charity if you:
Please notify the charity if you:
• Want to cancel the declaration
• Want to cancel the declaration
• Change your name or home address
• Change your name or home address
• No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains
• No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains
I confirm I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference. ¨
I confirm I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference. ¨
The Direct Debit Guarantee
This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.
If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit Devon Air Ambulance Regular will notify you five (5) working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Devon Air Ambulance Regular to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given at the time of the request.
• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by Devon Air Ambulance Regular or your bank or building Society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.
• If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Devon Air Ambulance Regular asks you to. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building Society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
This guarantee should be detached and retained by the payee
More lottery fun with friends!
Do you know someone who would like to play our lottery? Encourage friends to sign up today and you both get a free gift!
How it works...
1 Add your name and postcode to the form opposite. *
2 Invite your friend to complete the remainder of the form and return it to us in the enclosed pre-paid envelope.
3 Your friend will be entered into the weekly lottery draw.
4 As a token of our appreciation for signing up, you will both receive a complimentary DAA merchandise gift.
You flutter... We fly!
Already a member and want to support us further?
Upgrade your direct debit today for more chances to win and help us raise more vital funds to support our lifesaving work.
You can upgrade by... Calling our Lottery Team on 01392 466666 - option 3
Speak to a lottery canvasser at one of our events or in your local community
For more information about our lottery visit daat.org/lottery
Cheque payment - amount received £ ......................
Cheque Payment - Amount Received £..................
For entries @ £1 per week per entry
For entries @ £1 per week per entry
Lottery promoted by Devon Air Ambulance Trust.
Devon Air Ambulance Trust is licensed by the Gambling Commission, Number 000-0005032-N-308657-001.
Responsible person: D Hawes www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Please gamble responsibly. For advice visit www.gambleaware.co.uk
DAAT is a member of the Lotteries Council and is committed to promoting a responsible approach to gambling.
Contact us at : T: E: lottery@daat.org www.daat.org
Administration Office: DAAT Lottery Office, 5 S andpi p er Court, H ar r i ngt o n L an e, Ex eter EX4 8 NS
You will shortly receive a letter from us showing your lucky number/s. There is no need to claim as all prizes are paid automatically.
All proceeds go to support the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, charity No 1077998. Your subscription is greatly appreciated as our lottery raised over £2m in 2022 which helps to keep our crews responding. We receive no funding from either the Government or the National Lottery. We rely on your support, to help us to continue our essential lifesaving service.
Results are published every Friday afternoon on our website at: www.daat.org.
Thank you for your support - you are truly making a difference.
to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit
Name and full postal address of your bank or building society
•Allcustomerfundsintendedfortheuseinfuturegamblingandorlotterysubscriptionswillbeheldinaseparatebank account or accounts relating to the relevant affiliated charity lottery and will be completely separate from the Charity’s trading income.
•Wearerequiredbyourlicencetoinformcustomersaboutwhathappenstofundswhichweholdonaccountforyou,and the extent to which funds are protected in the event of insolvency. www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/consumers/protection-of-customer-funds.aspxWeholdcustomerfundsseparatefrom Charity’s funds. This means that steps have been taken to protect customer funds but that there is no absolute guarantee thatallfundswillberepaid.ThismeetstheGamblingCommission’srequirementsforthesegregationofcustomerfunds at the level: medium protection.
•Thelicenseeoperatesastrictno‘cashpolicy’topreventtheriskofcrimessuchasmoneylaundering,toavoidthegiving of illicit credit and to provide assurances that gambling activities are being conducted fairly.
This Guarantee should be retained by the payer.
The Direct Debit Guarantee
This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.
This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits
Ifthereareanychangestotheamount,dateorfrequencyofyourDirectDebitPSLre DAAT Lottery will notify you 5 working days in advance of your account being debited orasotherwiseagreed.IfyourequestThePSLreDAATLotterytocollectapayment, confirmationoftheamountanddatewillbegiventoyouatthetimeoftherequest
If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit DAAT Lottery will notify you five (5) working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request DAAT Lottery to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.
If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by PSL re DAAT Lottery or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society
If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by DAAT Lottery or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.
– If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when PSL re DAAT Lottery asks you to.
- If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when DAAT Lottery asks you to.
• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building Society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society.Writtenconfirmationmayberequired.Pleasealsonotifyus.
DAA would like to keep you informed about our work, how your support has helped to keep our helicopters in the air and how you can be involved in the future. We take the protection of your personal information very seriously and don’t share your data with any third party. If you would like to receive our Helipad magazine or occasional information about our charity please tick the relevant boxes below: Please contact me by email ¨ Please contact me by post ¨ Please contact me by telephone ¨ Please contact me by SMS message ¨
To read our Supporter Promise: Visit www.daat.org/supporter-promise or to request a copy, email
or ring 01392 466666
To read our Privacy Statement: Visit www.daat.org/gdpr-statement or, to request a copy, email: fundraising@daat.org or ring 01392 466666
We would like to use winners name and general location for our weekly results on our website/poster. Please tick here if you are happy for us to use this information ¨
