Changing business but not changing support Many local businesses had to think ‘outside the box’ to quickly diversify in order to survive during these unprecedented times, but never forgot how they could continue to support DAA

Support through ÚĜversĜĀ catĜon

While the pandemic has caused issues and challenges all around us, many companies are looking at new ways to operate and diversify their core business – we are grateful that so many are willing to support our cause to keep the helicopters fl ying. Here are some of the ways local Devon businesses are still supporting the service

Luminous is a Devon-based company with a reputation for providing incredible specialist theatrical effects for massive national events. However, COVID-19 effectively closed the live entertainment industry overnight and Luminous looked at ways they might be able to help with the pandemic. They noticed supply issues of PPE products to frontline healthcare workers and recognised that this might be where they could help. Co-founder, Ed Samkin, learned that the main liquid solvent used for fuel in their flame projectors was also the main ingredient in this type of alcohol hand sanitiser. He explained, “We diverted our resources to source plastic bottles with closures and labels and get the additional chemicals and manufacturing tooling required. We logged our intention to supply with the HSE so we could get a permit to supply the product. We also learned that disposable Face Shields were in demand and, rather than the 3-D printed versions, we devised an alternative solution that could be produced with laser cutters and mechanical punches.” Provision of this vital PPE has been invaluable and, to date, Luminous has supplied over 1200 items to various charities, including 50 face shields and supplies of hand sanitiser to Devon Air Ambulance.

In recent years, reusable shopping bags have become a must-have item and most of us rarely leave home without one. Back in 2018 we were approached by Mountain Warehouse with a great offer; that all profits from their high quality reusable cotton shoulder bags would be donated to Devon Air Ambulance and, at only £1.00 per bag, a real must-have.

Along with most High Street retailers, their shops were temporarily closed in March, but the majority are now back open, and we’re delighted to report that this fundraiser is back up and running! Already this incentive has raised £2,566. If you are shopping in any of the Mountain Warehouse shops throughout the county, why not ask for one of these bags. Excellent value, quality AND supporting a great cause at the same time.

RGB Building Supplies is one of the region’s leading builders’ merchants and they are looking forward to launching their latest charity initiative to raise vital funds for DAA very soon. RGB has over 20 outlets across the South West, of which 14 are based in Devon, and has pledged to donate 25p to us from the sale of every promotional “dumpy bag” which are used to carry large quantities of aggregates such as sand, crushed stone and gravel. Paul Letherbridge, Branch Manager at RGB Okehampton added “We’re creating specialist bulk bags which proudly displays the Devon Air Ambulance logo to encourage our trade and retail customers, who are perhaps taking on a landscaping project in their own garden, to visit any of our Devon sites and help to raise as much money as possible. We’d love to thank everyone in advance who purchases these dumpy bags”

We are continuing to get magnificent support from South West Water. They have recently donated £5,625 which, added to their previous donations brings their total to a magnificent £33,750. In readiness for the provision of our brand new H145 helicopter, G-DAAS, this year’s donation has gone towards two full sets of specialist medical bags; the primary response bag (blue), secondary response bag (red), a Lyoplas bag and an oxygen bag. The equipment in each bag is stored concisely and bags are a ‘rucksack’ style which should increase the comfort for the user. Dan Jones, Head of Communications for South West Water, said: “We’re delighted to support the great work of Devon Air Ambulance Trust, which provides such a vital service to the communities we serve. Our staff helped choose our charity partners and it’s brilliant to know that this year’s donation is helping the aircrew, especially at this time.”

As our aircrew have had to adapt to wearing additional layers of PPE and the weather continues to be warm, hydration for the aircrew is of paramount importance. We are grateful to South West Water for stepping up with a donation of 40 water bottles.

Kastner, the Volvo dealer based in Exeter, has also offered incredible support. Knowing our helicopters were grounded and that we were responding to emergencies with our Critical Care Cars, they offered to lend us an additional Volvo for our fleet. Not only did this enable us to attend more life-saving missions when necessary but also meant that we could call upon an additional vehicle which may have been closer to the incident. It carried the same equipment on board as our existing vehicles, enabling our paramedics to give vital treatment to the patient at the scene. A spokesperson for Kastner said, “Having supplied DAA with their first two critical care cars, it was with great pleasure that we were able to support them further by loaning one of our XC60 models to support their Paramedics in the community throughout the height of the pandemic. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the valuable emergency service you guys provide.”

On a different note... We would love to thank and acknowledge the businesses who supported our first ever Virtual Bike Show, in place of our annual Motorcycle Ride Out: Bridge Motorcycles, Upass, India in a Jar and Ocean City Bike Festival.