Helipad Spring 2021

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helipad | www.daat.org

COVID

Challenges NEW Beginnings

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Devon Air Ambulance relies on over 650 loyal volunteers to support our fundraising efforts, but they have all been stood-down this past year due to the pandemic. Events have been cancelled, shops which were once vibrantly open, now closed and community talks postponed. Volunteer Manager Cara Jones tells us what our volunteers have been up to in the last year, and former DAA patient and long-standing volunteer, Richard Lappas, reflects on his lockdown journey.

I

returned to my role as Volunteer Manager in February 2021, having spent last year on maternity leave, with the desire to call each and every volunteer to check on their wellbeing. I was touched to hear so many willing volunteers just waiting for the day they will be called to action in support of Devon Air Ambulance once more. But faced with these challenging times and three separate lockdowns, our volunteers found new ways to occupy their time while they waited to be called forward once more. Some have learnt a new language or brushed up on

languages they once spoke. Our creatives took up their paintbrushes, pencils and clay and produced beautiful paintings, drawings and intricate models. Photographers captured the stunning Devon landscapes, while the avid walkers hiked. Finding jobs around the house meant lists to complete and gardens to tend too. When bubbles were introduced, families reunited, and grandchildren filled the houses with delight once more. Companions and household pets comforted people in times of isolation, neighbours helped each other and people clapped for the NHS on a Thursday night.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers for their continued support through these unprecedented times. We may not be able to be side by side at the moment, but together we can still achieve great things!


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Articles inside

BackChat Fitz chats to Beer Coastguard Station Officer Terry Hoare about the amazing voluntary work their service undertakes to help those in peril on the sea – and inland

4min
pages 50-52

Business on board We say a big ‘thank you’ to the local businesses that have continued to support Devon Air Ambulance this year

2min
page 46

One year on Operations Director Nigel Hare refl ects on an unprecedented year full of challenges and opportunities for our clinical and aviation teams

7min
pages 48-49

Our Critical Care Cars celebrate an anniversary Before the full impact of a global pandemic became apparent and we went into the fi rst lockdown, Devon Air Ambulance’s two Critical Care Cars went ‘live’ and this timely introduction has meant we never lost a day’s service

3min
pages 44-45

Discover our website You can fi nd all sorts of interesting information on our website, from operational statistics and patient stories to fundraising support and events updates

4min
pages 40-41

A year like no other The last twelve months have been really challenging for our retail shops and staff . Three of our shop managers tell us candidly about the highs and lows, and why every sale is now more rewarding than ever

5min
pages 36-39

Flying high like a kite Having been relentlessly persecuted and almost driven to extinction in the UK, it is a welcome and thrilling sight to see Red Kites soaring above the fields of Devon once more

5min
pages 32-33

Chocks away! Former DAA Pilot and current aviation Safety Manager Rob Mackie has a passion for aviation in the First World War and takes a look back at the history of military flight in Torquay

4min
pages 34-35

Soup-a! Why having a versatile, adaptable and super-easy recipe for homemade soup is a sure-fire winner if you want to avoid food waste and eat healthily

5min
pages 30-31

It’s never too late It was twenty years ago that father and son, Jon and Joe Wyatt, were involved in a road traffic collision and were both airlifted by Devon Air Ambulance to the brand new, three day old, Accident & Emergency department at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital

3min
page 29

Two Alexanders, a Lawrence, a Winston and a fascinating history Across the Sound from the famous Plymouth Hoe and Barbican, we explore the fascinating history and people of Mount Batten, Oreston and Turnchapel

8min
pages 26-28

What3Words made a real difference When a strong gust of wind picked up Jeanette Bishop, and her bike, and dumped them unceremoniously down in the middle of Dartmoor, the What3Words app came into its own in helping Devon Air Ambulance pinpoint her remote location

6min
pages 23-24

Across the county line to offer support Alec Luckin suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed in a local shop in Wadebridge. The Cornwall Air Ambulance was already attending to another patient so Devon Air Ambulance flew to the scene to offer support in our neighbouring county

3min
page 25

I had a fight with a chainsaw” Plucky octogenarian Margaret Paramore didn’t think anything of chopping up trees in her garden for firewood, until her chainsaw had a ‘wobble’ and struck her in the face. Devon Air Ambulance paramedics were quickly on scene to help with her profuse blood loss

3min
page 20

An assault on the senses RHS Rosemoor horticulturist, Richard Wilson, describes how your garden – whether big or small – can be transformed into a multi-sensory experience, combining sight, sound, touch and, of course, fragrance

5min
pages 18-19

Well, fancy that!” Think you know Devon? Find out how the county lays claim to some amazing records, whether it is the oldest, newest, narrowest, longest or just plain quirkiest

6min
pages 16-17

Volunteering The last year has been one of challenges and new beginnings for our volunteers and we can’t wait to welcome them back to Devon Air Ambulance

4min
pages 8-9

A Cradle of Enlightenment How the foremost thinkers, philosophers, inventers, entrepreneurs and playwrights of Devon contributed to the remarkable Age of Reason

6min
pages 12-13

Crash landing When a mountain bike jump went wrong and left teenager Harry Adam with three broken limbs that needed treating by Devon Air Ambulance paramedics, one of his first thoughts was about the excitement of a free helicopter ride

5min
pages 10-11
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