Helipad Winter 2014

The Official Magazine of

Winter2014

Devon Air Ambulance Trust

Celebrating

350

years of THE ROYAL MARINES North Devon towns

Lynmouth Clearing the clutter

Inside...

Exmoor

one of England’s best kept secrets www.daat.org

Join Our Weekly Lottery ...more than £11,000,000 raised so far!

Registered Charity No.1077998 Company No.3855746

Patient Stories - Real People Saving Real Lives

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Welcome

Heléna Holt, Chief Executive Officer

Contributors Writers David FitzGerald Neil Devons Sarah Chesters Jasmine Sleigh Photographers Royal Marines Press Office Matt Austin Andy Styles Royal Horticultural Society – Rosemoor

David Rowlatt Neville Stanikk Neil Devons Michelle Lovegrove Jason Ball

Publisher Heléna Holt h.holt@daat.org 01392 466666 Editor Debbie Gregory 01392 466666 ext*135 d.gregory@daat.org Advertising Sales Julie Hutchins j.hutchins@daat.org 07843 621463 Advertisement Copy copy@daat.org Design & Print Management Silver Foxes Publishing 07455 206470 Distribution & Mailing Silver Foxes Publishing 07455 206470 ISSN (Print) 2055-2343 ISSN (Online) 2055-2351 Next Issue 24 November 2014 is published by Devon Air Ambulance Trust Unit 5 Sandpiper Court Harrington Lane Exeter EX4 8NS T 01392 466666 E info@daat.org W daat.org Registered Charity No 1077998 Registered Company No 3855746

facebook.com/devonairambulancetrust @DevonAirAmb © All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form without prior permission of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Devon Air Ambulance Trust will not accept liability for loss or damage. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of our content but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any omissions, errors or alterations or for the consequences of any reliance on these details; neither can they vouch for the accuracy of claims made by any advertiser. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

www.daat.org

As we approach the end of another year, we can reflect on the months gone by. This summer has been incredibly busy; with our brilliant and enthusiastic supporters undertaking a huge diverse range of events and sporting activities raising funds for the Trust. We are hugely grateful to everyone around the county who organises, hosts or participates in these events – we simply couldn’t keep the service going without your support.

As an organisation, we have long dreamed of being able to offer our service later into the evenings. During the summer months of 2013, we attended and airlifted 53 patients during the evening hours – none of whom would have benefitted from the service had their incident occurred in the winter months. Currently, during the summer months we can operate until 9.00pm but, because we need lights where we land, our flying hours in the winter months are considerably shorter. However, this autumn sees the start of our exciting night-flying campaign: “Make Night Time Flight Time”.

Learn more about our plans in this issue and see how you can help us achieve our goal.

On page 48, Nigel Hare, Operations Director, highlights how frequently our service is called to help people in their own homes suffering from medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes, and explains how this knowledge is helping to shape our plans to extend our service into the evenings all year round, because these incidents do not stop when darkness falls.

Editor’s news I am always inspired by the resilience and positivity of our patients. Even after suffering lifechanging injuries or life-threatening medical conditions, many of the people we help go on to become our biggest ambassadors and supporters, raising funds and hosting events to promote the work of the Trust. Stories from some of our patients can be found in this issue.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to become more involved as a fundraiser or volunteer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. There are so many ways in which you can help and you would be most welcome to join our ‘DAAT Family’.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Helipad. My thanks, as always, go to all the patients and contributors.

To contact me, please email d.gregory@daat.org or telephone 01392 466666 ext *135 Until next time, happy reading!

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

3

In this issue...

On The Cover Issue No.9 Winter 2014 Our cover photo is of the beautiful Watersmeet on Exmoor, taken by David J Rowlatt of Tiverton.

David specialises in landscapes and wildlife from around Exmoor, Dartmoor and the South West of England. See his website on www.davidjrowlattphotography.com

7 9

Star Prizes

Meet our latest winners, with prizes kindly donated by The Arundel Arms at Lifton, Hotchpotch at Sidmouth and Princess Theatre in Torquay

Our Service – Your Support Ways that you can help the Trust

was of the utmost importance 10 Speed Robin Mills suffers a ruptured aorta in a paragliding accident

12 Catch up with the DAAT events Round Up

from summer 2014

14 Here are the dates for some of Dates for your Diary next year’s key events

Butchers Row

32

winter to spring 16 From Sarah Chesters suggests scents are more important than sights

the clutter 18 Clearing Jasmine Sleigh offers tips to clear the clutter and unmuddle the mind

shop in Totnes 19 New Introducing Manager Kirsty and Assistant Sam as our latest shop opens in Totnes

Night Time Flight Time 20 Make Introducing our new campaign and why we want to fly in the dark

help needed 22 Emergency Air Ambulance required when Roy Rowden falls from a roof

26 Exmoor 4

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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Contents

40 Devon People

39 Winter Walks 24 Ready for anything 20

Make Night Time Flight Time

very rare condition 23 AScott Lane is airlifted with a suspected heart

People 40 Devon Another amazing array of fantastic fundraising

for anything 24 Ready Learn more about the history of the Royal

ng Young 44 Starti See where Douglas Bear and Ambrose Bear

ful Exmoor 26 Beauti One of England’s best-kept secrets

on Board 46 Businesses We thank just a few of our enthusiastic

attack

Marines as they celebrate 350 years

31 From historic lifeboat missions Focus on Lynmouth to the present day

33 Danny Paine is rescued when he’s knocked Rescue at Totnes show ground to the ground by a falling tree

loses his ear 34 Ex-Marine Pat Baker suffers severe facial injuries in a four-

activities from around the county

have been hanging out this summer

business supporters

Care 48 Specialist Nigel Hare explains why specialist treatment centres are vital in the West Country

Chat 50 Back David FitzGerald celebrates the 350th

Anniversary of the Royal Marines in a cave

We Love To Talk!

vehicle collision

ery News 35 Lott Celebrate with us as we reach 30,000 playing members

fall 37 AJohntenBattfoot en lands on his elbow when he falls 10’ into his silo pit

We’re active on many social networks and media channels so you can keep up with everything we’re doing between issues. Follow us on Facebook and Google +, join the Twitter conversation, and watch our YouTube films. Look out for the new website coming soon at www.daat.org

Walks 39 Winter Wrap up against the weather and enjoy a bracing walk

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Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

5

Beautiful furniture and home accessories

FREE DELIVERY UK MAINLAND High Street, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8LN Telephone 01395 515555 www.potburys.co.uk 6

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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Keeping In Touch

Star Prize Winners This issue’s Star Prize winners have been chosen from the hundreds of emails, letters, Facebook posts and Twitter messages we’ve received.

It’s always rewarding to receive a ‘Thank You’ and we were delighted to receive the following email from Gemma and Scott from Hittisleigh following this year’s Fireworks Extravaganza at Westpoint.

Our Twitter message prize goes to the Paignton Poet (@ PaingtonPoet) for his fantastic poem about Devon Air Ambulance, tweeted, re-tweeted and favourited many times on @DevonHour.

From: Gemma Brown 20:56 Sent: 11 November 2014 g isin dra To: Fun arity donation Subject: RE: Your PureCh

Dear all l say how fantastic and wel I would like to write and . was t oin display at Westp organised the fireworks rning , but will certainly be retu ore bef n bee er nev We had next year! facilities. spectacular display and Well done to all involved,

Keep up the good work.

Kind regards Gemma and Scott

Gemma wins a beautiful, hand-made, silver fingerprint necklace, kindly donated by Hotchpotch at Sidmouth, www.hotchpotchsidmouth.co.uk Occasionally, we are defeated by poor weather conditions are unable to land at an incident. Such was the case when we were called to help Susan Joynson when she fell from her horse last autumn. We were touched that Susan was kind enough to acknowledge that we did our best.

Susan wins lunch for two at the awardwinning Arundel Arms Hotel and Restaurant in Lifton.

The Paignton Poet’s prize is two tickets to ‘Oh What A Lovely War’, kindly donated by Princess Theatre, Torquay.

Finally, we are delighted to see the numbers of our Facebook followers increasing month on month. One such follower, who regularly likes and shares our messages and posts, is 89 year old Brian Foster, who even recorded and uploaded his own video in support of Devon Air Ambulance for National Air Ambulance Week.

Brian is a great example of age knowing no boundary when it comes to keeping in touch and he wins a bottle of wine.

Our grateful thanks go to Hotchpotch Sidmouth, Princess Theatre and The Arundel Arms for their kind and generous donations.

www.daat.org

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

7

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Ofsted 2012

â&#x20AC;&#x153;OUTSTANDINGâ&#x20AC;?

Quality of education: 6 Outstanding Judgements Bramdean School is proud to support the Devon Air Ambulance Trust

www.bramdeanschool.co.uk Tel: 01392 273387 â&#x20AC;˘ Email: info@bramdeanschool.co.uk Bramdean School, Homefield Road, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 2QR 8

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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Keeping In Touch

Ways to help daat.org

This summer we launched our new-look website – have you seen it yet?

With single click buttons for user-interaction, it’s never been easier for you to tell us about events being planned, if you’ve been airlifted or if you’d like to make a donation.

From Our Service page, you can learn more about your Air Ambulance – see the progress of the service since we started in 1992; see our Mission Map to discover where our helicopters have been sent; read some of our patient stories and meet our staff and colleagues.

In Your Support you can find out about the different ways in which you can get involved. Whether you fancy organising a coffee morning with friends, a fancy dress party or throwing yourself out of a plane in an adrenalin-filled skydive, help is at hand.

Would your business consider choosing DAAT as its Charity of the Year? We work closely with you to ensure the benefits are mutual for both parties. Or maybe you or your colleagues would like to join our weekly in-house Lottery? Just £1 per week will give you a Lucky Number which will be entered into a draw every Friday for the chance to win a first prize of £1,350, two second prizes of £135 and 10 further prizes of £50.

All this, and more, is available at daat.org – do take a look!

Ongoing support

You will see, later in this magazine, that we are introducing our Make Night Time Flight Time campaign, in order to extend the service into the hours of darkness.

One very simple way in which you can help support this campaign is by signing up to a Direct Debit. We have included a form on page 22 - just complete, sign and return it to us - it couldn’t be easier.

With your help, our service will help save even more lives; thank you.

Buying and selling on ebay

This popular outlet for selling the more unusual or quirky goods is proving a great new income stream for the Trust. Ebay enables us to promote certain donated goods to a wider audience, including collectors around the world. With free Buy It Now listings and uploading fees refunded post-sale, our costs are negligible. Our shop staff are knowledgeable about the value of certain donated items – and, equally, recognise when some pieces stand to make far more by the Ebay route. Always looking to maximise funds for the Charity, and to achieve the very best possible price for the donor, this has proved a good move over and over again.

Check out our ebay site on www.stores.ebay.co.uk/ devonairambulancetrust to see what is currently available.

See the Direct Debit form on page 22... www.daat.org

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

9

Speed was of the utmost importance Robin Mills from Ashburton has been a ‘dare devil’ all his adult life and loves nothing more than skydiving and paragliding through the Devon skies. On 6th August this year, however, things didn’t go quite as smoothly as usual.

L

ooking forward to an afternoon flying from a local site at Bonehill Rocks, near Hound Tor on Dartmoor, Robin met with a friend and they prepared their gliders and flying equipment. Ensuring all was fine with his kit and with his paraglider inflated, Robin took off from the hillside.

Almost immediately he thought that perhaps he’d dropped his altimeter, variometer and GPS and made a split second decision to land.

As an experienced paraglider, Robin knew that the windy circumstances for his landing were far from ideal. Descending from about 10 meters he landed heavily on the lumpy ground below.

“The winds were about 15mph but, because I was coming in backwards, it was more of a horizontal slide than a plummet,” Robin described. “As I assessed the damage, I tried to get out of my kit, but I knew I was seriously hurt. My friend Tom came down to help me and he could see I needed urgent help.

10

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

I knew straightaway that I would need an Air Ambulance; there was no way I was going to be able to travel by road.”

Crews from the land ambulance and Devon Air Ambulance soon arrived. As they carefully loaded Robin on to a stretcher aircrew paramedics Mark Hawley and Mark Langley knew that speed of transfer was of the utmost importance.

“Learning what had happened and how far Robin had fallen, we knew that he needed scans to check his organs for internal bleeding,” explained Mark Langley. “We needed to get him to Derriford Hospital as quickly as possible.”

With the paramedics constantly assessing Robin during the flight, he was then transferred to the emergency team at the major trauma centre in Plymouth – where, just minutes later, CT scans revealed that he had suffered a ruptured aorta. This can be fatal for around 80% of patients so immediate surgery was needed to stop the bleeding and a stent was inserted into his aorta.

www.daat.org

Patient Story

Despite confessing to ‘still feeling a little delicate’, amazingly, less than 7 weeks later, Robin was back in his flying suit for a quiet flight.

Robin subsequently spent 10 days with excellent care in the cardiac unit before suffering a collapsed lung, necessitating minor surgery. On this occasion surgery was undertaken with just a local anaesthetic. “It was very strange watching the procedure,” Robin commented. “They had to put a pipe through my ribs to help re-inflate the lung – a very uncomfortable procedure!”

You might think that suffering these injuries would be enough to put someone off further participation in extreme sports…. but no! Despite confessing to ‘still feeling a little delicate’, amazingly, less than 7 weeks later, Robin was back in his flying suit for a quiet flight. “It’s what I do. I wanted to get back to flying just as soon as I was able. I’m eternally grateful to the Air Ambulance – a speedy diagnosis is vitally important with a ruptured aorta so, without them, I probably wouldn’t be here today. I just want to live life to the fullest.”

Just three months later, Robin took the opportunity to visit DAAT’s Eaglescott Airbase, where he was reunited with Mark Langley. Mark was delighted to see Robin looking so well. “Robin is certainly one very lucky man. The injuries he sustained in the fall were very serious and it’s great to see him looking so much better now!”o www.daat.org

Robin was delighted to meet Mark Langley when he visited Eaglescott Airbase with his friend and fellow paraglider, DAAT volunteer, Julie Stapleton.

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

11

Out and about this summer This summer has seen a multitude of events around the county with hundreds of you taking part in all things wild and wonderful in the name of raising funds.

In addition to such random activities as worm charming, ferret racing, shaving of body hair and jumping out of aeroplanes, there have also been the traditional events that DAAT organise or host.

A sea of bikes on the Den at Teignmouth

Motorcycle Ride Out

Sunday 14th July saw our most successful Motorcycle Ride Out to date, with nearly 1,000 bikes registering to take part in the scenic 84-mile route through Devon’s countryside and over 1,000 bikes ending up at Teignmouth’s Den for an afternoon of music, food and fantastic entertainment. Live music was provided by Wired and Thick as Thieves.

HMS Raleigh ladies - after the sheep dip!

Team building at its best for the gang from Finlake

Commando Challenge

The annual Commando Challenge took part on the weekend of 6th and 7th September, with teams entering either the 4K, 10K or 17K Challenge over the hills and dales of Woodbury Common including the Royal Marine’s assault course. The expression ‘mud, sweat and tears’ has never seemed more appropriate!

There was even a team from DAAT

12

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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Round Up

Dragon Boat Race

2014 Winners - Crisp Professional Development

The last weekend of September saw DAATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural Dragon Boat racing event on Exeter Quay. With support from many local businesses a total of nine teams entered and, after much hilarity and serious competition, Crisp Professional Development were declared the winners, pipping South West Highways and Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital to the post by fractions of a second!

Taking the plunge at Broadsands in Paignton

Sea Swim

Another event was the 1-mile Sea Swim in Broadsands on Sunday 21st September. The sun was shining, the weather was kind and all entrants achieved their goal, much to the delight of families, friends and spectators on the beach.

www.daat.org

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

13

Diary Dates

Important diary dates for 2015 Following the success of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events, we are delighted to announce the dates that are already booked for next year: Spring Helipad Available from 6 April

Dragon Boat Festival Sunday 27 September

Devon County Show 21, 22, 23 May Motorcycle Ride Out Sunday 12 July

Summer Helipad Available from 27 July Sea Swim Sunday 20 September

Commando Challenge Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 October

National Air Ambulance Week 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 26 September 14

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The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

15

Winter to Spring

Sarah Chesters, gardening expert at RHS Rosemoor, tells how scents can be more important than sights in a winter garden.

F

or winter interest in the garden, we have to accept fewer flowers, but those that are there can be highly scented – Daphne, Hamamelis and Sarcococca – the latter being evergreen and having tiny cream flowers. Make sure you plant them near a path or door you will use during the winter, so you can really appreciate the scent.

Colour can come from unexpected parts of the plant – tree trunks for example, Betula utilis var. jacquemontii (a good white) and Prunus serrula (incredibly tactile stripes of burnt red and orange) are popular, reliable and provide bright focal points to be viewed from the house during the season when we are least likely to be spending much time outside. Coloured stems can be stunning too – Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ being one of the best reds, and if underplanted with tall snowdrops – Galanthus elwesii, the red stems make the white even whiter and the snowdrops make the red appear even more vivid, so they make a colourful combination. Cut the Cornus stems back to within 5cm (2”) of the stump each March and more will grow through the summer to colour up next year. Increase your displays of snowdrops by carefully digging them up when the flowers have almost died off, split up the clumps and replant in new areas.

If you don’t grow hellebores, make a New Year’s resolution to buy one or two plants when they flower during January; they are tough, have a wide range of beautiful single or double flowers of white, yellow, pink, and deep purple, with or without speckles. A bad frost will make them bow to the ground but as they thaw they will slowly rise up again. If you become hooked you may add to your

collection each year and for the flower arrangers among you, although not good as a cut stem, the flowers alone can be floated in a bowl of water for a special occasion.

Once the hellebores are flowering, we know spring is just around the corner, and that means the hedges start to turn green, the wildflowers carpet the woodlands and camellias and magnolias take our breath away, particularly if the frosts leave them alone. If you have room plant a magnolia, making sure you give it space to grow, and although the huge tree magnolias can take twenty years to flower, many of today’s smaller hybrids flower from an early age. Underplant deciduous trees and shrubs with spring flowers – Anemone blanda is a close cousin of our wild wood anemone and comes in white, pink and blue. It opens such beautiful flowers and really lifts an area, then dies back underground for the summer. Erythronium dens-canis, Dicentra, Trillium, Pulmonaria and Epimedium are also excellent for underplanting in similar areas. Once they have flowered they slowly disappear underground to hibernate, as the overhanging shrub or tree leafs up for the summer.

Give other areas of your garden a boost by planting up tubs or hanging baskets, only putting them outside once all the frosts have gone. Try some different plants or colour combinations this time, rather than sticking with the same choices and disguise the container with trailing plants. Why not introduce a touch of whimsy to your garden by using some unusual shaped containers from your shed, garage or the local recycling centre, scrub and paint them, make sure they have good drainage holes and plant them up.¨

Make sure you plant them near a path or door you will use during the winter, so you can really appreciate the scent.

Advice Line

Sooty Mould – the leaves become covered

in fine “soot”. This is caused by the sweet honeydew secretions of aphids and scale insects, which cover the leaves and make them sticky, on which fungal spores settle and multiply. Using lukewarm water and a drop or two of detergent, wipe the mould off with a soft cloth, feed the plant with ericaceous feed and get rid of the aphids/scale insects which are the cause of the problem in the first place.

Flower buds drop off before they open

– by the time they do this it really is too late to do anything about it for this year as

the problem started six months before. If the shrubs are too dry in August, September and October when the flower buds are forming they will drop in the spring, so it is very important to water them well during those months if conditions are dry.

Flowers turn golden brown after frosts

– make sure camellias are planted in a sheltered position, with other shrubs and trees around and above them if possible, where they do not catch the morning sunshine. If they are in shade during the morning, the frost can slowly melt before the sun hits the flowers and lessens the chances of the frost being burned into the flowers, causing the browning.

Listen in to BBC Radio Devon every Sunday morning from 9.00 – 10.30am, when Sarah Chesters, from RHS Garden Rosemoor, will answer your gardening questions on Pippa Quelch’s Potting Shed programme.

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Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

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Gardens

Erythronium Californicum ‘White Beauty’

Sarcococca Confusa

Galanthus Nivalis

Prunus Serrula

Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial’

www.daat.org

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

17

At Home

Clearing the clutter

Apparently, if the unused and unloved items taking up space in the average home were all donated to charity shops or recycled it would boost the UK economy by a whopping £32.7billion! Jasmine Sleigh tells us how to start decluttering.

W

e are talking about all those items at the back of the kitchen drawer that ‘might come in handy’ but never do; the gifts and inherited objects that we don’t actually like but can’t bring ourselves to give away; even the things we saved for and cherished but no longer use.

A review of our belongings can be very daunting with many of us doing nothing because we don’t know where to start. Yet it can be a liberating experience, create up to 30% more space, reunite you with lost treasures and, of course, provide our shops with invaluable stock!

Supporter Jasmine Sleigh is a professional organiser: she provides practical support to people who cannot face this alone; helping them identify, organise and part with belongings they no longer need or want. This is not an exercise in minimalism but a celebration of the things we should be making room for, that complement and enhance our lives, loves and adventures.

Here are Jasmine’s top tips to help you free your home from clutter.

Almost every home has a huge stash of photos and albums: now is the time to make a family event of getting them all out, sorting through and labelling them. Make smaller meaningful albums of the few that you want to keep, frame and display the best and let go of the rest. ¨

Jasmine explains “When clutter is clogging up your home, it creates a mental muddle too. Clear it out and you not only have more physical space but you’ll lift an emotional load off your mind at the same time!”

Tip 1: Have an exit plan Start by planning what you will do with the items leaving the house so they do not languish in the hall, getting in the way and tempting you to reconsider. Have a charity bag to hand.

Plan a trip to drop these off. Look up the phone number for bulky waste collection. Warn your adult children that they will need to collect the belongings they left behind! If your home has been harbouring their belongings for three years then it is time for a polite ultimatum.

Tip 2: Delve deeply Put time aside, turn off the phone and delve to the back of the cupboards, the bottom of the drawers, the tops of wardrobes and far reaches of the loft, shed and garage. These places accumulate long forgotten and unmissed items that can usually go straight in to the charity bag or recycling bin but occasionally reveal a long lost treasure that should be on display or saved in a memory box.

Tip 3: Preserve memories Have a beautiful memory box to hand for those items you come across that bring back memories of adventures or have sentimental value. The most powerful way to preserve these is to keep them accessible to dip into now and again. For family keepsakes, label them up, organise into years and store in adequate boxes but keep it manageable. Consider including a letter to loved ones past, present or future, explaining the meaning of items kept. Perhaps, rather than hold on to large pieces of inherited furniture, include a photograph to preserve the memory.

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For your free “Getting Organised” one page resource put together with the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers UK email jasmine@changeyourspace.co.uk. www.daat.org

Retail

DAAT arrives in Totnes

Following weeks of building, and decorating the outlet, and sorting, steaming and displaying the merchandise, the latest DAAT shop is now open in Totnes.

Shop manager, Kirsty Whitaker and assistant Sam Reeder, have been busy rifling and rummaging through dozens of bags of donated goods, ensuring that the shelves and rails of the new store are full of tempting clothes, bric-a-brac, books, footwear and accessories.

Kirsty is looking forward to the opening of the shop, “Everyone we’ve spoken to has been so welcoming here in Totnes. There seems to be a real air of anticipation and an absolute feeling of goodwill towards

the charity. As well as the donated goods that we’ve sorted at our warehouse, we’ve also had loads of bags donated here at the shop.

With just the last couple of finishing touches to make before the doors open on Saturday 15th November, Sam and I are really looking forward to a great future here in Totnes. Do pop in if you’re in the town, we can guarantee a warm welcome and some great bargains to boot!”

Sam (left) and Kirsty all ready to go!

Meanwhile, Plymouth’s Mutley shop closes…

Martin Bell, Retail Director, explains “We have taken the difficult decision to close our shop in Mutley Plain, Plymouth. Sadly this shop has become unsustainable and, due to rising costs and falling returns, we have decided not to renew the lease.

It will close at the end of November when the current 10-year lease expires. However, the Charity is still very keen to have a presence in Plymouth and is actively looking for alternative premises which fit with our successful model used elsewhere in the county.”

Martin added “We have a responsibility to our donors, to ensure we use their money wisely. Whilst we recognise our shops play an important role in the community, it is also vital that they contribute to the funds we need to raise to keep Devon’s two www.daat.org

Air Ambulances flying. We are very grateful to the Plymouth community who have loyally supported us and look forward to finding new premises in the near future. ”

Finally! – don’t forget that all our shops have their own Facebook page. Keep in touch by Liking their page and see what bargains or events are available in your area.

Why not keep in contact with your local DAAT shop by liking their Facebook page ie Totnes Devon Air Ambulance shop!

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Making Night Time Flight Time We are excited to introduce our Make Night Time Flight Time campaign, as CEO Heléna Holt, explains: “Operating during the hours of darkness is an important part of the Charity’s strategic plan; especially to cover the winter rush hour and early evening when people are very much in need of the service. After all, people don’t stop getting ill or having accidents just because it gets dark. The first phase of our ‘Help us make night time flight time’ campaign is to raise awareness of our future plans and encourage supporters to find out a bit more about how and why we are doing it and how they can help us extend our service. ” DAAT first extended its summer operating hours to 14 back in 2011 and, in taking advantage of the lighter evenings, clearly demonstrated the value of an evening service by attending to more than 50 patients during the longer evenings.

During the darker winter months, there are only around 8

hours of daylight when Devon’s Air Ambulances can currently operate meaning that from about 4.30pm onwards the service is unavailable to help people. This is because of a combination of operational reasons, mostly to do with safe landing sites and cost.

David, Susan and John are just three of the patients helped by DAAT during the extended flying hours in Summer 2013.

Sunday 19 May 2013 – 67 year-old David Meek was airlifted to hospital after a road traffic collision in which the car he was travelling in turned 360 degrees in the impact.

Friday 14 June 2013 – Susan Hill, a disabled and diabetic 70 year-old fell at home dislocating her ankle and breaking bones in her leg. Without the immediate attendance of Devon Air Ambulance, Susan might have lost her foot as a result of the fall.

Saturday 10 August 2013 – John Walker, 67, had a cardiac arrest at the wheel of his car and would not be here today if it was not for the Devon Air Ambulance.

They all recognise that their outcomes may have been very different had their incidents happened at the same time during the longer darker evenings of winter.

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Campaign

Flying tonight!

DAAT has two EC135 helicopters. One is already equipped to fly at night but will still need some additional equipment such as extra spotlights, a wire detection system, enhanced mapping, night vision camera system and night vision goggles.

Community Helipads The long term aim is to develop a network of presurveyed floodlit community helipads across the county, which could, for example, be a village green, a football club, or a school playing field. DAAT is keen to work with local communities to identify potential sites.

One particularly important item of kit that we will need is Night Vision Goggles (NVG). Flight Operations Director, pilot Ian Payne explains what this means from a Pilot’s perspective …“It’s like turning night into day, albeit a dark green and black shaded day, but nevertheless a completely different world to an endless black void. And that’s the point; these very clever Night Vision Goggles (NVG), combined with a suitably equipped cockpit and trained crew, have been widely used by the police and military forces for many years, and now Air Ambulances have been permitted to use this technology – which will totally change what would be a difficult and potentially dangerous task at night into a viable and ultimately safe operation. And that’s good for all concerned but most of all for the people of Devon, offering a fantastic and operationally effective service day and night!”

The target is to extend flying hours to 10pm all year round from 2016, with a further extension to midnight from 2017. The need for more aircrew, specialist training, equipment and the cost of additional missions, will see the Charity’s fundraising target rise by £1 million every year.

One very simple way that people can support us in our plans is to make a regular donation by using the Direct Debit form overleaf.

Without any doubt, every £5 donated will help us get closer to extending our service and may make a difference to you or your loved ones.

For further information visit daat.org/nightflight

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Another patient helped one evening last summer is Roy Rowden from Blackawton near Totnes.

Service User Number

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Emergency help needed following fall After a particularly heavy torrential downpour one evening last August, Roy was ensuring that a flat roof on his bungalow was watertight when he fell and needed urgent medical help. His wife, Jayne, had been working indoors when she heard an almighty crash and ran outside.

She found Roy lying unconscious and saw immediately that his breathing was laboured. Roy was also bleeding from his nose and a head wound and his eye socket was beginning to swell.

Jayne, who is trained as a nurse, immediately called 999 and an Air Ambulance was despatched. As the aircrew were on their way, Roy regained consciousness and tried to get up. Jayne was relieved to hear the helicopter landing in a neighbouring field and the crew ran to the scene where they assessed Roy; administering pain relief and immobilising him.

Roy was flown to the specialist head injuries unit at Derriford Hospital where he was treated for a fractured skull, broken jaw and broken eye socket. As the aircrew were leaving Roy at the hospital they reassured Jayne and her sons about the treatment Roy would receive.

Roy spent many months recovering and, whilst he still has no memory of the incident, Jayne explained, “It was very frightening at the time. Roy was slipping in and out of consciousness and his behaviour was certainly very odd. I remember thinking “Thank Goodness” when I heard the Air Ambulance arrive and the crew were so calm and professional. It was lovely of them to come and find us at Derriford. Things could have turned out very differently if they hadn’t been able to fly Roy to hospital so quickly.”

Roy receives treatment at Derriford hospital

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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) Devon Air Ambulance Trust would like to send you their quarterly magazine and occasional news. If you would prefer not to receive it please tick here ¨ If you would like to receive it via email please tick here ¨ If you are a UK tax payer did you know that we can claim back an additional 25p in the £1 and it won’t cost you any more. For example a donation of £10 will actually donate £12.50. Please tick this box if you wish us to claim Gift Aid Date: D D / M M / Y Y on your donation.

I would like all donations I have made since 6 April 2000 and all future donations to be Gift Aided until I notify you otherwise. To qualify for Gift Aid what you pay in UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax must at least equal the amount we will claim in the tax year.

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• 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 PSL re Devon Air Ambulance will notify you five (5) working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request PSL re Devon Air Ambulance 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 Devon Air Ambulance 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 Devon Air Ambulance 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.

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Jayne was relieved to hear the helicopter landing in a neighbouring field and the crew ran to the scene where they assessed Roy; administering pain relief and immobilising him. www.daat.org

Patient Story

A very rare condition In April 2014, 28-year old Scott Lane from Bideford was aware of unusual pains in his chest. Convinced that the pains would go, he carried on working and tried to ignore them. However, Scott began to feel worse and finally went to see his GP.

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n ECG at the surgery revealed that Scott had a ‘swollen’ heart and his GP recommended that he should go to North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in Barnstaple for more tests.

On arrival, further tests and a second ECG identified that Scott was suffering from a heart attack. Devon’s Air Ambulance were on site within ten minutes and duly transferred Scott from North Devon to Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

On arrival at RD&E an angiogram showed that Scott was not actually having a heart attack but, as his heart was so swollen and under distress, the ECG had understood it to be a heart attack. The Consultants were unsure why Scott’s heart was so distressed and thought it could be some sort of virus and he was treated accordingly. Unfortunately, Scott’s recovery was not immediate – he subsequently developed pneumonia and heart failure, and needed oxygen 24 hours a day. He spent a further 11 days in hospital and it was not until he had been discharged and home for a week that he received a telephone call from his GP saying that a Consultant from the RD&E had discovered that Scott’s problems were all due to rheumatic fever - a condition that now affects less than 100,000 people in the UK each year.

Scott now has to take www.daat.org

“The Air Ambulance is a priceless service and we are all so grateful to them for their efficiency and professionalism.”

TOP Back to North Devon District Hospital, Scott arrives for check ups BOTTOM Scott with wife Michelle and daughters Ashleigh and Mia

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medication to minimise the risk of a recurrence of the condition but he is, however, slowly getting back to living a ‘normal’ life again, happily playing with his two daughters and looking forward to participating in sport and going back to work.

“It was a scary time for the whole family,” he recalls.

“I had no idea when I first went to see the Doctor, just how ill I was. I was aware that the Air Ambulance had been called; the crew were brilliant and so reassuring throughout the journey. Coincidentally, I’ve since learned that my Great Grandfather died of rheumatic fever – when he was only 39!”

Scott’s wife, Michelle, added “The Air Ambulance is a priceless service and we are all so grateful to them for their efficiency and professionalism. If the service was not here and Scott had been transferred by road, it would have taken an absolute lifetime to get there and when somebody is told that they are having a heart attack, time is of the essence. When Scott is fully recovered we hope to have a fundraising day in Bideford for Devon Air Ambulance to show our gratitude and help as much as we can to make sure they are still here in the future. After all, nobody is invincible and you never know when you or your family may need them.”¨

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Ready for anything – a state of mind…

The Royal Marines have had a long and distinguished association with the county of Devon and this year marks the 350th anniversary of their formation.

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t was 1664, during the reign of King Charles II, when England was preparing to fit out a fleet for the impending Second Dutch War, that Charles’ brother James, the Duke of York & Albany, and Lord High Admiral, directed that a Regiment of 1200 men, commanded by Colonel Sir William Killigrew, should be formed for service to the ‘Navy Royal and Admiralty’. This early group were defined as ‘Land Soldiers’ and took their regimental name from their appointer, the Duke of York & Albany’s, Maritime Regiment of Foot; sometimes being referred to as the Admiral’s Regiment. The first use of the term ‘Marines’ has been traced to a letter written in 1672.

It was in 1702, during the War of the Spanish Succession, that six regiments of Marines were formed. These regiments fought campaigns in France, Spain and North America and it was they who, in 1704, alongside 400 Dutch Marines, were involved in the capture and defence of a certain peninsula called Gibraltar. It was 123 years later that King George IV allowed the Marines to use the name of Gibraltar as part of their colours as a battle honour.

The reputation of the Marines was gaining great momentum and in 1747 they were awarded the privilege of wearing “The Fouled Anchor”. In 1761, the Marines played a decisive role in the capture of Belle Isle and were later awarded the Laurel Wreath which forms part of the Corps Insignia.

They were soon at the heart of every action and turning point of history, for example, a party of 12 Marines landed with Captain James Cook at Botany Bay in Australia on 29th April 1770. Meanwhile, on the other side of the

world, in 1775, during the American War of Independence, two battalions of Marines captured Bunker Hill and if “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, the decision by the Continental Congress to form their own Marine Corps just five months after the Battle of Bunker Hill, demonstrates the highest regard for their erstwhile enemies.

On the 29th April 1802, King George III conferred a very special honour stating: “I never knew an appeal made to them for honour, courage or loyalty that they did not realise my highest expectations. If ever the hour of real danger should come to England, they will be found to be the country’s sheet anchor”. From this date they were henceforth to be known as: Royal Marines.

Ninety officers and over three and a half thousand men of the Royal Marines, served in Admiral Nelson’s fleet and it was a Royal Marine, Sergeant Secker, assisted by others who carried Nelson below decks after the fatal wounding.

Throughout its history, the Corps has earned ten Victoria Crosses; the first three of these were awarded during the Crimean War. They played a vital role in the First and Second World Wars and on into Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Gulf Wars and Afghanistan.

It was in mid-July that the celebrations started for this special anniversary at an event at The Brickfields in Plymouth. Four nights of music, military demonstrations, fireworks and fly pasts culminated with a visit from The Captain General of The Royal Marines, H.R.H Prince Phillip. Celebrations are still ‘on going’ for this very Devon-based arm of the military. ¨

“I never knew an appeal made to them for honour, courage or loyalty that they did not realise my highest expectations. If ever the hour of real danger should come to England, they will be found to be the country’s sheet anchor” George III

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Royal Marines

ABOVE & BELOW 350th celebrations at The Brickfields, Plymouth RIGHT HRH Prince Phillip and Major General David Hook CBE QCVS

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Rolling moorland and dramatic cliffs

One of England’s best kept secrets is the breathtaking, unspoiled land of Exmoor National Park, covering 267 square miles and tucked neatly in the northern part of Devon and north west Somerset.

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ou could be anywhere in the world’ is an expression often used in areas of outstanding natural beauty and it’s easy to realise why it’s often said of Exmoor. With its wild open space and mix of moorland, heathland forest and woodland, boundaried to the north by the most dramatic, awe-inspiring coastline, there’s little wonder that it leaves one feeling as if time has stood still for many centuries. Indeed, research suggests that the Exmoor ‘plateau’ is approximately 200 million years old - some 180 million years older than the Alps in Europe! It is thought to rank among the oldest features on the Earth’s surface.

Evidence of antidiluvian Exmoor is still all around and 26

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monuments of special interest include prehistoric remains such as standing stones, stone circles, forts and packhorse bridges dating back as far as the Iron Ages.

Exmoor was declared a National Park in 1954. Prior to that it was a Royal Forest and today, coincidentally, it is home to England’s tallest tree. The tree, a Douglas Fir, stands at over 60m high; it was originally planted in the 1870’s and can be found amongst fellow fir trees on the Tall Trees Trail at Dunster Forest, just over Devon’s border into neighbouring Somerset.

The longest stretch of naturally wooded coastline in the British Isles can be found on Exmoor, as well as England’s www.daat.org

Exmoor

Lorna Doone Farm at Malmsmead

highest sea cliffs. The Exmoor length of the South West Coast Path is characterised by two main landscape types. The high cliffs offer extensive views, inland over undulating moorland and seawards over the Bristol Channel towards the south coast of Wales. In contrast, further lengths are comprised of deep and steep wooded valleys, known as ‘coombes’.

Inland you will find wild heather moorland, heaths and deep, dark forests of ancient oak trees. With meandering rivers and over 600 miles of way-marked paths and well maintained bridleways, the area is a delight for canoeists, walkers and horse riders alike.

Exmoor is unusually high for southern Britain and,

consequently, offers a huge variety of habitats and a diversity of wildlife and animals. As well as being home to over 1,000 different plants and grasses, including those more commonly found in the Arctic, the area also boasts Britain’s largest concentration of wild red deer and Exmoor ponies.

As well as the setting for the literary classic ‘Lorna Doone’, a wealth of local folklore and seasoned tales have inspired storytellers and song-writers for generations. Myths and legends containing pixies and the Devil abound, along with more recent accounts of the now notorious Beast of Exmoor.

Exmoor … one of the few truly wild and beautiful places left in England. w

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Exmoor The Valley of Rocks Spectacular and mysterious, the Valley of the Rocks is a place to let your imagination run wild. It is a dry valley that runs parallel to the coast and is very popular with walkers and fossil hunters (you can collect fossils from the grey, loose scree but hammering is forbidden). It was formed by the coastal erosion of a former extension of the valley of the East Lyn River and is the old valley from where the river used to flow. Look out for its herd of feral goats.

Tarr Steps Beware crossing this 1,000 year old clapper bridge because legend says the Devil built it and still has sunbathing rights over the stones. Of typical clapper bridge construction, Tarr Steps can be found across the River Barle near Withypool on Exmoor. The bridge is 180 feet long and has 17 spans with each slab weighing up to 1-2 tons. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway Clever people, those Victorians. To overcome the problem of the high cliff preventing trade between the two towns and the over reliance on sea-borne deliveries, an ingenious water powered funicular railway was designed by George Croydon Marks. Completed in 1890, it took three years of hard manual labour to build but has been in continuous use ever since.

Watersmeet Wonderful Watersmeet is a National Trust property offering heaps to do and see. Its 2,000 acres are a haven for wildlife (otters, red deer, buzzards) and its 40 miles of footpaths have some of the finest walks, trails and awe-inspiring landscapes in the county. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a real outdoor delight with its dramatic river gorge, ancient woodlands, tea garden and shop. ¨

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Patient Story

Dartmoor rescue for Andy Herald Express photographer Andy Styles was airlifted from Dartmoor and flown to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth by Devon Air Ambulance after a mountain bike accident on Sunday 29th June.

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ndy’s accident happened when his bike hit an unseen pothole at about 20 km per hour, sending him over the handlebars, injuring his head, neck and shoulders as he landed at an inaccessible spot near Postbridge.

Andy, 45, recalls that he was unable to move when he landed. “I remember thinking that my legs were up in the air; although my friends said they were flat on the ground. I felt as if I was still sat on the bike in a pedalling position; I tried to move, but couldn’t.”

Responding to a 999 call from Andy’s friends, Devon Air Ambulance pilot Ian Payne and paramedics Darren Goodwin and Paul Robinson were sent to the scene.

Speaking to colleagues from his hospital bed, whilst awaiting an operation on a neck vertebrae, Andy said: “The Air Ambulance were phenomenal; I really want to say thank you to them. They landed in a really tough place, I can’t express how good they are. You don’t realise until you need them what a fantastic, professional job they do. If it wasn’t for them, and the fact that they landed so close, I would have had to be strapped on a stretcher board and carried a long way

over rough terrain, which would have been so painful.”

Andy’s neck was immobilised with a neck brace whilst tests were carried out. Despite X-rays revealing that nothing was broken, Andy was still unable to move his legs and had only a small amount of painful movement in his arms. He was aware of pins and needles and numbness in his legs and an MRI subsequently showed that two discs were pushing on his spinal cord. He had an operation a couple of days later on Tuesday 1 July to remove a disc and a titanium plate was fitted. Gradually, the feeling and movement returned to his legs and arms. Andy was discharged from hospital the following day and, as the strength returned to his shoulders, arms, hands, and legs he was able to return to work some three weeks later.

As well as thanking the aircrew of Devon Air Ambulance, Surgeon Dr Germon, and all the staff at Deriford Hospital, Andy said, “I also want to thank my three fellow cyclists Jo and David Somerfield and John Newbold from our mountain bike group. They called the ambulance and stayed with me, keeping me still; and they returned my bike to my home, they were fantastic!”o

“If it wasn’t for them, and the fact that they landed so close, I would have had to be strapped on a stretcher board and carried a long way over rough terrain, which would have been so painful.”

MAIN PIC Andy and two friends just minutes before the accident INSET LEFT Andy is flown to Derriford Hospital INSET RIGHT With his wife, Tracy, back on their bikes after Andy had recovered

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can you help?

We are looking for extraordinary people to help us.

The Learn2Live partnership has delivered its powerful message to over 100,000 students across Devon and Cornwall since its inception in 2008.

Helen lost her daughter due to a young driver, she tells her story to sixth form students so they may learn from what happened to her and her daughter Jade.

We are looking for people that have been affected by the actions of a young driver at our presentations across Devon and Cornwall.

For more information contact

info@learn-2-live.org.uk

Helen talks about losing her daughter Jade

www.learn-2-live.org.uk Advertise with The Official Magazine of

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• 45,000 copies per issue • Over 35,000 mailed directly to homes of our supporters • Broad reader demographic • More than 50% of our readers are in the 35-65 age group • Distributed to doctors, dentists, hospitals, solicitors and other reception areas throughout the county • Distributed via our charity shops and the shows and events we attend • As well as profiling the work of the Air Ambulance our articles also celebrate all that’s great about Devon, with a great line-up of fresh content every issue • Our readers choose to support the Charity so our publication is anticipated, well read and retained • Helipad is available online at www.daat.org. We attract an average of 7,500 visitors per month and it is shared via social media channels including Facebook and Twitter. We have over 4,500 Facebook fans and over 11,500 Twitter followers • A great commercial opportunity – mutually beneficial to your business and the Trust

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Devon Towns

Lynmouth - where Exmoor meets the sea The high moorland of Exmoor entices visitors to peep over the clifftops of North Devon; where the views following the ocean across hidden coves and beaches and over to the coast of Wales make describing it as ‘spectacular’ seem inadequate.

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ooded coombes flanked by formidably high and imposing cliffs guide the East and West Lyn rivers to meet at Lynmouth before disappearing into the sea. The pretty seaside town has a gentle and welcoming pace. It is linked to Lynton 700m above by the iconic water powered funicular railway.

It was here in 1899 that the four most famous words in lifeboat history were said by Coxswain Jack Crocombe, “We launch from Porlock!” Easier said than done. Bad weather prevented the launch of the lifeboat Louisa to rescue a ship in danger of foundering off Porlock. The decision was taken to haul the 10-ton lifeboat up the 1 in 4 Countisbury Hill before working out how to get it down the even steeper Porlock Hill. The amazing feat took 100 people and 18 horses to travel 15 miles up a climb of 1,423 ft and down the other side but they made it and rescued the stricken vessel and crew.

It was also here in August 1952, that a massive storm dropped 9 inches of rain in 24 hours causing a deluge that thundered through the town destroying 100 buildings including the lighthouse, making over 420 people homeless and killing 34 people. The entire nation was astonished but the people of Lynmouth rallied and regrouped. The Flood Memorial Hall was subsequently built on the site of the old lifeboat station which was one of the buildings destroyed in the flood.

Today, the town’s centre piece is arguably the Lynmouth Pavilion National Park Centre. Funded jointly by Devon County Council’s Invest in Devon Fund and by Exmoor National Park Authority, the aim was to redevelop the derelict Lynmouth Pavilion into a ‘must see’ destination and interpretation centre themed on the National Park’s special qualities and to act as a year-round ‘learning and discovery hub’.

Although not listed, the original building was of local significance and valued by the community for its variety of uses over the years which included a waiting area for steamers, an arcade, theatre, badminton court and even a zoo.

Following community consultation, the decision was made to retain the design of the 1930s façade and roof trusses.

Although all new build, the original 1930’s blueprints were used as a guide for fabrication of the steel works with the new structure retaining a similar streetscape on the Esplanade as in 1930s.

The landmark building, which is next to the cliff railway, comprises exhibition, community and education space with a mix of hi-tech and more traditional exhibits ranging from a large touch screen table and iPads to the traditional seaside photo board.¨

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The entire nation was astonished but the people of Lynmouth rallied and regrouped.

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North Devon

Take a butchers at this!

No visit to Barnstaple - in fact no visit to North Devon - is complete without an amble down Butchers Row.

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t is in this iconic alley that you can buy the very best in local produce presented in mouth watering displays of meat and game, cheese and artisan bread, pasties and pies, fruit and honey, fish and vegetables. There are also several places where you enjoy some of the produce on offer – perhaps a Devon cream tea (jam on top!), some locally made carrot cake or a light lunch.

Built at the same time as the indoor pannier market opposite, the symmetrical architecture of the 33 shops is very distinctive and appealing with pallasters of bath stone and wrought iron supports to an overhanging roof, all facing north which was designed to keep everything cool.

Wander across the street and there is the pannier market which dates back to Saxon times. The vegetable market building running from the Guildhall to Boutport Street was

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designed by R.D. Gould and opened on 2nd November 1855. The market soon became known as the pannier market because the farmers’ wives and daughters would bring their vegetables and dairy products in large baskets known as panniers.

It is a wonderfully bustling, traditional, daily market with the added appeal of changing each day. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays you can buy general goods and local produce.

Mondays and Thursdays introduce local arts and crafts while Wednesday is the day for antiques, collectables and books.

This is truly a great place to visit not only because locals and visitors in self-catering flats and cottages can buy their food and drink there but because it is one of those places that has a real atmosphere. It feels authentic, comfortable and welcoming and it’s a real taste of Devon.¨

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Patient Story

Ten foot fall into a silo pit In August 2013, John Batten, from Brentor near Tavistock, was busy on his farm when things didn’t go quite to plan. He takes up the story…

“I

t was a busy day; Mum was out, I was helping my friend James renovate the farmhouse kitchen, Dad was spreading fertiliser and my sister Susannah was working on the other side of the farm.

“We had a problem with damp walls in the kitchen so we decided to line them with damp proof membrane. I remembered there was a roll next to the silage pit. The silo is located next to a concrete structure with 10 foot walls on three sides. I moved the safety barrier and navigated along the bank, stepping over brambles to the plastic membrane. I tossed the roll into the silo so I didn’t have to carry it whilst heading back through the brambles. However, my foot slipped out from under me and I lost balance. I grabbed the safety barrier, but I fell backwards into the silo, bringing the barrier down with me. My left elbow took most of the impact onto the concrete. It was then I noticed my left arm looked out of shape, and felt numb and heavy. I started calling for help, shouting as loud as I could. After what felt like ages, Susannah came running to look for me. Thankfully, the empty silo had acted like an amphitheatre so she had heard me from far away in the fields.

“Being a first-aider, Susannah confirmed that my arm was broken. She ran to the farmhouse and called 999. We were surprised at how many emergency vehicles turned up and their response was impressive! The Air Ambulance landed in our field right next to the silo. I was astonished at how quickly we arrived at Derriford hospital considering it would have taken 40 minutes by road. It felt like we had only just taken off before touching down on the helipad in Plymouth. I was very grateful for the smooth and swift journey; the pain would have been unbearable if I was taken to A&E by road.

“I woke in a hospital ward with Amanda, my fiancé, by my side. My injury was described as a severe open fracture, my ulna (long bone in the forearm) was broken in 7-8 places and a piece of my radial head (elbow) had broken off; I needed two operations. Months of recovery and physiotherapy followed but, by the new year, I was back to work on the farm.

I now have most of my strength back and 90% of original mobility in that arm.

“While recovering I started to follow Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s Facebook page. This summer I noticed a post asking for patients to run Exeter’s Great West Run on their behalf. It was a perfect opportunity to get back into running and give something back to the Charity I am so grateful to. I contacted DAAT and joined the Stannary Hash House Harriers as well as my local running club Tavistock Athletics Club. After 10 weeks of training, I completed the Great West Run in a ‘leisurely’ time of 2 hours 14 minutes, raising over £300 for the Trust.

“I’d like to say thank you to Devon Air Ambulance Trust, all the emergency service personnel who helped me, and the www.daat.org

staff at Derriford Hospital. Thank you to all of my friends and family for their sponsorship and support during my recovery; especially to James and Susannah for looking after me at the scene of my accident, to my dad Bill Batten, who kept the farm going while I recovered, and my wife Amanda for her support throughout.” o

“The Air Ambulance landed right next to the silo. I was astonished at how quickly we arrived at Derriford hospital, it would have taken 40 minutes by road”

TOP John being treated at the scene as the helicopter lands.

ABOVE Recovering at Derriford Hospital RIGHT John having completed the Great West Run for DAAT.

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Patient Story

Ex-Marine gets a new left ear

When Paul Holmes of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) learned of a road traffic collision involving three vans and a lorry, with one person trapped, he knew that the Devon Air Ambulance needed to be despatched immediately.

A

ircrew paramedics Mark Hawley and Glenn Birtwisle with pilot Dan Smith were swiftly on the scene near Marley Head on the A38.

EDF meter reader Pat Baker, 54, was driving his van home from Torquay to Plymouth when the accident occurred and his van, the smallest of all the vehicles involved, took the brunt. The aluminium side of a six tonne box lorry had cut through the driver’s side of his van ‘like a tin opener’ and sliced off half of Pat’s face. The accident left Pat with severe facial injuries to his left side including lacerations, a fractured skull, his jaw broken in two places, a crushed eye socket, left nasal bone fracture, loss of his left ear and crushed carotid artery.

The incident involved the teamwork of the fire service, police and land ambulance crews as well as Devon’s Air Ambulance.

Aircrew paramedic Glenn Birtwisle explained, “By the time we arrived Pat had already been extricated by the fire service and he was receiving emergency medical care by the land crew. He had lost a lot of blood and our priority was to convey him as quickly as possible to the trauma centre at Derriford Hospital.”

As Pat’s wife, Sheena, learned about the incident from two police officers, and was warned that he may have suffered major brain damage, she rushed to the hospital.

“Unbelievably, by the time I got there they had done CT scans and x-rays and discovered he had no serious head injuries, just lacerations. The main thing was the carotid artery in his neck was crushed, but not broken – if it had been, he would have died. Amazingly, there were no other injuries to his body.”

Surgeons rebuilt Pat’s face, put a stent into his artery and wired his broken jaw. A paralysed larynx and impact damage to the main carotid artery left Pat speaking in just a whisper and facing months of future dentistry. A new left ear is being made for Pat and the couple are still waiting patiently to see if there is any long-term damage.

Speaking to Devon Air Ambulance a few weeks later, Sheena thanked the emergency services, “We want to give our thanks to everybody involved. They were fantastic, from the policeman who was luckily parked nearby and was first on the scene, the Air Ambulance who flew him to Derriford, to the consultants and everyone who put him back together. He’s an ex-Royal Marine and never got a scratch in the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Turkey. Then he survived kidney cancer four years ago! But without the help of everyone on the day of this accident, I doubt if this situation would have turned out as well as it has.”o

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LEFT At Derriford Hospital shortly after the incident BELOW Pat at home and on the mend

Pat with wife Sheena, proudly sporting his new, magnetic, left ear!

Pat and Sheena with fire crews from Totnes and Buckfastleigh

www.daat.org

Lottery

How it works...

We have been running our own in-house Lottery since September 2001. Sales this year, in 2014 alone, will reach the magnificent sum of £1.56m! Here’s how it works and why it’s so important to us.

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MISSIONS FUNDED

2014 Sales

£1,560,000

We celebrated reaching 30,000 members on 4th October helping us to fund 330 missions so far this year.

01392 469886 lottery@daat.org We have a team of canvassers who promote the Lottery. Since being on board in Winter 2011 they have helped to increase our sales from 20,000 members to today’s figure of over 30,000. A great achievement in 3 years.

13 CASH WINNERS EACH WEEK STILL ONLY £1 WEEKLY ENTRY

members pay by order 89% ofstanding 6 N E W 12 Weekly Top Prize ME 8 M

www.daat.org

£1350 3ways

2pay

SO B T H I FA R E R S S YE AR

1. By Standing Order – monthly, quarterly, annually. It is the most cost effective way for the Charity 2. By Cheque 3. Lottery Agents – see the list at www.daat.org/lottery

£11,000,000 Total Sales To Date enizagaM laicffiO ehT

tsurT ecnalubmA riA noveD

Over 70p of every £1 goes directly to running both helicopters

( 8

16

T BE MUS R YO U O R O V E 6 1 L AY TO P

Real Winners Saving Real Lives

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Lottery

Devon Air Ambulance Trust Lottery Form Please complete this form, plus Section A or B to advise us how you wish to pay.

Please return this form to: DAAT Lottery, FREEPOST SEA14647, Exeter EX4 8ZY NOT YOUR BANK I confirm all members are 16 years of age or over.

Signed

Date

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other

First name(s)

Surname

Address Postcode Tel

Email

Why not double your chances with two numbers? Tick here for a second number The second number will be in your name unless you wish to assign the number to someone else. If so, please enter their name below: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other

First name(s)

Surname

SECTION A - PAYMENT BY CHEQUE I wish to join the DAAT Lottery and pay by cheque

One Number Half yearly £26

Yearly £52

If you pay by cheque you will receive a reminder Two Numbers Half yearly £52 by post prior to your subscription running out Please find attached my cheque payable to DAAT Lottery for £

Yearly £104

SECTION B - STANDING ORDER FORM

To The Bank

I wish to join the DAAT Lottery by standing order

Please ensure you quote the following number on all correspondence

To (your bank/building society) Address Postcode Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Sort Code

Account Number

Signature(s)

Date

Please debit my/our account until further notice - I wish to pay the sum of: (tick one box only) One Number

Two Numbers

Monthly

£4.34 per month

Monthly

£8.68 per month

Quarterly

£13 every 3 months

Quarterly

£26 every 3 months

Half yearly

£26 every 6 months

Half yearly

£52 every 6 months

Yearly

£52 every 12 months

Yearly

£104 every 12 months

I wish my standing order to start on:

DD/MM/YYYY

Please debit my account and pay to: DAAT Lottery, HSBC Bank Plc, St Thomas, Exeter Sort Code: 40 20 29 Account No. 11377566

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HP1114 #

We would like to use the winners names and location in promotional material. If you do not want your name to be used, please tick this box Responsible person, C Creer of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, 5 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Exeter, EX4 8NS. The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is the official Lottery promoter and is licensed by the Gambling Commission, no: 000-0005032-N-308657-001 www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk

www.daat.org

Patient Story

Helicopter lands at Totnes show ground Whilst working with his father and nephew at the showground in preparation for this year’s Totnes Show, on land owned by the Duke of Somerset, tree surgeon Danny Paine was removing some damaged trees when a freak accident occurred.

H

aving checked that everything was safe, he gave the goahead for cutting to commence but the next thing Danny knew was that he was lying on the floor in pain and struggling for breath. It subsequently transpired that a large part of the tree trunk had broken away and caught Danny on his left side causing multiple injuries. Whilst not knowing exactly what had happened, his father, Alan, and nephew, Aaron, ran to his aid calling for help on the way.

A land ambulance crew were on the scene within minutes and immediately called for Devon’s Air Ambulance. On arrival, aircrew paramedics Glenn Birtwisle and Chris Saunders assessed and stabilised Danny before airlifting him to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Danny had suffered a broken pelvis, broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken collar bone and had a nasty cut down the length of his forearm.

Watching helplessly as the helicopter took off, Danny’s dad and nephew followed by car to meet them at Derriford. Danny spent the following four days in Intensive Care, slipping in and

out of consciousness. After a week at Derriford and surgery on his broken pelvis, Danny was transferred to Torbay Hospital where he spent a further five weeks and his treatment included having a plate fitted to his collar bone. His girlfriend, Hannah, was a regular visitor and recalls that, even when Danny was conscious, he wasn’t ‘really there’ and conversations were often ‘very garbled’.

“I think I was given lots of medication,” explained Danny, “because I’ve since been told that nothing I said made any sense.

I remember thinking after the surgery on my pelvis that I’d been to the gym! It’s now eight weeks since the accident and I’m slowly but definitely on the mend. I know I still have to be patient and there’s a long way to go. I’ve been advised that it will be at least 12 weeks before I can go back to work but, lying on the ground listening to the helicopter landing, I thought I wasn’t going to make it at all. I was fighting to breathe and thought that perhaps I was going to die. Thank goodness that’s all behind me now and I’m on the road to recovery.”o

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“Lying on the ground listening to the helicopter landing, I thought I wasn’t going to make it at all.”

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You could cut your heating bill by up to £546*

Call 0800 051 1548 cosydevon.com Lines open: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm & Saturday 9am – 1pm Proudly backed by your local Council Working with

*Offer is subject to survey and meeting eligibility criteria. Saving figure is based on a 3 bed, double glazed, semi-detached house in Devon, with 50mm loft insulation a 86m2 total floor area, age band 1950-66 plus boiler with 68% efficiency with programmer only. Savings are the combined improvements of fully insulating the cavity wall, adding 200mm loft insulation, installing a new condensing combi boiler 89.3 % efficiency (controls left as programmer only) calculated using RDSaP 9.91. Savings depend on a large number of factors and the saving quoted should be treated as a guide. Terms and conditions apply (see cosydevon.com for details)

Winter Walks

Four seasons in one day What does this season mean to you?

A

utumn is the time when nature changes the colours around us and falling leaves turn from fresh, bright green to rich, deep mahogany. Whether you’re a sun-worshipper or love cosy evenings in front of the fire, each new season brings a glory of its own.

Yes, the days are shorter now, the nights are drawing in and memories of the longer sunny summer days are fading fast.

There’s morning dew on the ground and, for some, a yearning to batten down the hatches and hunker down in the evenings.

By day it’s a time to dig out your woolly jumpers, pull on your sturdy boots and enjoy a brisk, bracing walk in Devon’s wondrous countryside. With the South West Coast Path offering miles of panoramic views on both the north and south coasts and moorland walks on Dartmoor and Exmoor, we are certainly spoiled for choice.

If you need inspiration for where’s best to walk off your roast lunch, follow the guide in visitdevon.co.uk. You will find five favourite routes, all of which are circular and graded as easy, so suitable for most abilities.

The Middle Dart Valley Walk follows a 5-mile route on paths and lanes. It starts and ends in the medieval town of Totnes and passes along the River Dart through the Dartington Hall Estate.

The Tarka Trail in North Devon is popular with cyclists and walkers alike, running a total of 163 miles along North Devon’s coastline and countryside.

The Ernest Bassett Walk, starting in Okehampton, is a 5-mile route, devised by a keen Dartmoor walker and planned as an easy introduction to the area’s attractions. The route follows paths and woodlands, passing waterfalls and pools and, on a clear day, offers views as far as Exmoor.

Bolberry Down in the stunning South Hams offers accessible paths, managed by the National Trust, with a choice of routes – all offering stunning sea views and rare coastal grasslands.

All these walk routes can be varied in length and many offer places of refreshment to enjoy a cream tea, frothy coffee or heart-warming hot chocolate with a slice of cake along the way.

By evening, you can draw the curtains and snuggle up on the sofa in front of the fire. Whether you have a 400-year old cottage with a traditional inglenook fireplace or a modern apartment with a contemporary, plasma fire, there’s no doubt that there’s something homely and reassuring about watching a flickering flame as the wind and rain howls away outside.¨

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The Mamhead Sensory Trail can be found at Haldon Forest near Exeter; a 1.5 mile all-ability trail that encourages walkers to appreciate their whole surroundings.

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Devon People

Real people saving real lives - what could you do to save a life?

Our thanks go to all the amazing fundraisers throughout the county who help keep our service going... here are just a few.

Exeter’s Great West Run

This year, DAAT was chosen to be the local charity partner for the annual Exeter Great West Run. The event was sponsored by solicitors Tozers, who have been fundraising all year for DAAT as their chosen Charity of the Year. Our promotion of the event prompted runners from across the county to sign up and don their trainers, pounding local streets before the big day, to help raise funds for Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

A fantastic 70 runners, wearing Devon Air Ambulance running tops, joined around 2,700 participants on the day, with perfect weather leading to many personal best achievements. The half marathon route started and finished on Sidwell Street and included some challenging local hills as well as the city centre streets, many of which were lined with cheering supporters.

Funds are still coming in from the event with many runners having set up their own Just Giving sites. We would like to thank everyone for their support of this event – which has already raised over £8,000 – including organisers, volunteers, spectators and, of course, all the runners.

Just a few of the 70 DAAT runners, having proudly crossed the finish line.

t DAAT Paramedic Mark Hawley bumps into two other DAAT runners

Caroline Creer with Ben and Steve, running for DAAT

Girls from Exeter Uni Boat Club before the off

DAAT’s very own Melanie Stephens running with her husband, Dom Here are the first six over the line for the School’s Challenge

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Fundraisers

Ann and Ceri

So sadly missed...

As many of you will know, Devon Air Ambulance was originally set up by Ann Thomas, whose son, Ceri, was tragically killed in a pushbike accident in Sidmouth. When Ann asked the surgeon at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth if anything would have made a difference, the answer was ‘speed’.

Motivated by that word, Ann campaigned tirelessly over the following years until, six years later, in August 1992, our Air Ambulance flew its first mission.

One of Ann’s earliest supporters was Betty Pearce, unfailing in her encouragement and belief in the cause. Betty helped Ann recognise that ‘ordinary people doing ordinary things’ could make a huge difference – that motivation was inspirational then and the ethos continues today.

Sadly, Betty passed away in September this year. From jam-making to jumble sales, Betty not only raised funds herself but organised and worked with others to do the same. Even the donations from Betty’s funeral were donated to DAAT, helping the cause she felt so strongly about. tJo Butler from Bovey Castle presents Joyce Stephens and Tony Luscombe with their voucher for a weekend at Bovey Castle as second prize in our Grand Summer Draw

pVolunteer Charles Scott collects a cheque from BT Exeter’s Golf Day and other fundraising events Belstone Commoners present Volunteer Mike Date with £801 following their Beating the Bounds competition

Molly and Brian Criddle from Brixham collect the keys to their new car from Vospers in Exeter

Minxys sweet shop in Bideford present Volunteer Doug Langley with a cheque for £832

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Real people saving real lives - what could you do to save a life?

Radio Exe joined Furniture Direct running a competition to raise funds for four local charities

Just one of the lots at Natasha Gardiner’s auction; the event raised nearly £2,000q

Members of Harley Davidson present Volunteer Pete Mason with funds raised at their tea tent!

t A £750 cheque is handed over to Volunteer Dennis Bater from Hatherleigh Rotary Club

Clydesdale Charity race at Flete Point to Point raises over £1,100 for DAAT

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Dawlish Rotary club present Volunteer Lisa Harman with a cheque for £220

Fundraisers

qLapford Horticultural Society present Volunteer Sue Fewings with a cheque for £1,000!

pJohnnie Kingdom, with Valerie Sherwin and Chrissie Thomas, crown Rob Follet 2014 Bolving Champion!

If you would like to find out more details about how you could support Devon Air Ambulance, please call 01392 466666 or email info@daat.org

Get in touch!

Volunteer Tony Cannon collects funds raised by Ivybridge Childminding Association

Runners get off to a flying start for the annual Red Rock Mud Race

Photo by Andy Styles.

See his story on page 29

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Starting young...

Cohen Phillips visited Jane and Nick at our South Molton shop before running in the Great South Run Junior Event.q Cohen is pictured here with siblings Isla and Hayden

Douglas Bear, an ambassador of Devon Air Ambulance Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cowick Street Shop, took a hard-earned break from his demanding work schedule to visit some European sights with shop manager Michelle Southcott. Follow his travels, as this little DAAT bear explores the world!

Douglas even completed a mammoth cycle ride to Paris with supporter Chrissie Ward

Hail Caesar! Making a wish at the Trevi Fountain

Douglas begins his voyage in sunny Palma, Mallorca

Homeward bound from Menorca...The end of a brilliant holiday

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Junior Crew

Ambrose Bear has also been out and about this summer, attending shows, festivals and other events and attractions around the county.

Ambrose with helpers at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Motorcycle Ride Out pAmbrose entertains youngsters at the Emergency Services Day at Teignmouth

Ambrose enjoys the Halloween festivities at Pecorama in Beer with 6 year old Christopher Longman tAmbrose enjoys a dance with Emilee from Paignton Ambrose and friends at the Mid-Devon Show

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Business support Helpful ideas for Christmas

We are delighted to propose an idea to help you find the perfect gift for those ‘oh, so hard to buy for’ family and friends. DAAT has teamed up with Devon Hampers, who have kindly offered a 10% donation to the Trust for any order bearing the Voucher Code DCH1. Their website, devonhampers.com, has a complete range of tempting, tasty choices from real ales, fruity ciders, local cheeses and chunky pasties to melt-in-the-mouth scones with clotted cream and homemade jam. As their name suggests, all produce is made in Devon and all gifts are beautifully presented, in boxes or hampers, and can be delivered the following day, with a personalised message, if ordered before 10am.

Mmmmmm...I bet you’re tempted to put one on your own list to Santa!

Dealing with the unexpected…

uch!would like to find out more details about Get in Iftoyou

how you could support Devon Air Ambulance, please call 01392 466666 or email info@daat.org

Mispace raise £2,000 at a site for Sanctuary Group in Bideford

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Another business we have recently teamed up with is A-Plan Insurance. Their Devon office, in Sidwell Street, Exeter, supports residents and businesses by providing a very personalised service to offer protection from the unexpected. Branch Manager, Ian Tuffrey explains, “Dealing with the unexpected is what Devon Air Ambulance excels at and as a charity close to the hearts of so many people in Exeter and the surrounding areas, it was a natural choice for our support. We are proud to be donating £20 to DAAT from every new policy sold in the Exeter branch when a client quotes DAAT.” Caroline Creer, Fundraising Director, “We are delighted to have A-Plan and Devon Hampers on board and very grateful for their support. The initiative to donate when customers mention DAAT or add a voucher code is so simple and will undoubtedly help us get closer to our goal to be able to fly longer into the night.”

www.daat.org

Business Support

Business support means a lot

We are grateful to all the businesses, from big corporations to small sole traders, that support us. From a donated prize for a raffle to a variety of fundraising activities as part of being a nominated Charity of the Year, every little helps.

Staff engagement for a worthwhile cause can bring huge team building benefits, as illustrated in this year’s Dragon Boat Festival on Exeter Quay. Teams from Crisp, Parador, Francis Clark, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, South West Highways, Old Guys and Alcoa Howmet pitted their wits and strength against the teams from Devon Air Ambulance as they frantically paddled their way to the final. Next year’s Dragon Boat Festival has already been booked for Sunday 27th September – book your place now!

The annual Commando Challenge is another fantastic team event supporting DAAT and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust. Testing endurance, determination and stamina, teams can enter a 4K, 10K or 17K race including the Royal Marines Assault Course, featuring evocative-named obstacles like the Sheep Dip and the Smartie Tube, across the hills and dales of Woodbury Common.

Also popular are the more familiar, less physically challenging but often just as competitive ways to raise funds, such as the well-attended coffee and cake morning hosted

by Kaba Locks earlier this summer.

Our thanks go to everyone who suggested to their employer that Devon Air Ambulance would be a good cause to support. Staff votes are crucial and, when asked, we are happy to present our ‘pitch’ in order that colleagues make an informed decision. A presentation also offers us the opportunity to explain exactly how we can support your fundraising efforts to maximise mutual benefit.

If you would like to learn more about opportunities for business support, please contact fundraising@daat.org

HSBC Teignmouth’s event at Finlake included horseriding...

...and jumps

... a rather special cake ...and other fundraising activities

Whilst we were their charity of the year, the Esplanade Hotel in Paignton raised £300 in a raffle

Jennie the Helicopter was delighted to attend the Kaba (UK) coffee morning!

Following a year of various fundraising activities, staff at Sainsburys Newton Abbot were delighted to present a cheque for £2298.58q

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Specialist care in specialist centres One of the aspects of our service which sparks great conversation when delivering talks to groups or at events is the number of patients we respond to who are suffering from life-threatening medical conditions, writes DAAT Operations Director Nigel Hare.

Perception can often be that incidents such as Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs), or sporting, industrial and other accidents in public places are what we are most frequently called to. Such a perception is most likely due to these types of incidents being reported in the press or via social media, whereas when someone is suffering from a condition such as a heart attack, stroke or breathing problems in their home or place of work, these incidents are rarely reported by the media.

So far this year, responding to help patients suffering from a life-threatening medical condition has accounted for just over half of our deployments (52%), with 271 of those patients being located either within a residential property or a place of work.

Patients suffering from some life-threatening conditions are often treated in hospitals, which have developed

We are now launching our Night Flying campaign to help us raise the funds and the community support to establish our service during the hours of darkness specialist treatment teams, and resources, which improve the patient’s chances of survival. One example is specialist Cardiac Centres that have equipment and a highly trained team on hand 24/7 who can unblock an artery in a patient’s heart very quickly by accessing it through a vein in the patient’s leg. Removing the need for major heart surgery means this treatment can be given to patients literally within minutes of arriving in the hospital, often starting before the aircrew have even completed their handover to the team.

Within Devon, specialist Cardiac Centres are located in Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter and flying patients suffering a heart attack in the quickest time possible to these centres greatly improves both their chances of survival and their quality of life following their heart attack.

We are now launching our Night Flying campaign to help us raise the funds and the community support to establish our service during the hours of darkness. One of the main driving forces behind this is to enable us to respond to the many patients who suffer life-threatening medical conditions during the hours of darkness. During the winter 48

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months it can be dark from as early 4.30 in the afternoon.

Currently, patients are unable to benefit from the speed by which an air ambulance can deliver skilled clinicians to the patient and then convey that patient to the most appropriate hospital for their condition.

Two patients who were attended at their homes by Devon Air Ambulance this summer are Matt Horrobin from Minehead and Roz Morgan from Black Torrington.

Matt’s story

Matt (47), a keen runner, had been in training for a 20-mile run from Lynton to his home town of Minehead, planned for end of July. However, it wasn’t to be.

School teacher Matt was looking forward to the school summer holidays when, on the evening of 25th July, without any prior warning, he collapsed in cardiac arrest.

His 15 year old son, Oliver, caught him as he fell. Matt’s wife, Sally, realising that her husband was unresponsive, immediately started doing CPR as Oliver called 999 and ran to a neighbour for help.

Within minutes, a First Response team arrived with a defibrilator - but the nearest land ambulance was deployed on a mission an hour and a half away. Fortunately, Devon’s Air Ambulance soon arrived on the scene, with local police officers closing the roads to traffic allowing the helicopter to land close by.

Matt and his family enjoy a visit to see the helicopter

Matt was flown to the Cardiac Care Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital where tests revealed that he had a genetic heart condition known as ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular www.daat.org

Operations cardiomyopathy). He spent 12 days in hospital and his treatment included a defibrilator being implanted.

Whilst Matt will no longer participate in competitive running events, he is looking forward to donning the running shoes once again as his rehabilitation allows.

that Roz got the urgent treatment needed and, following a short time in hospital and ‘fantastic’ rehabilitation at the Stroke Unit of Bideford Hospital, Roz has made a brilliant recovery.

Roz Morgan is happy to meet Paramedic Mark Langley at Eaglescott Airbase

Matt meets Paramedic Nigel Lang and chats about his incident

Roz’s story

After a lovely few days entertaining family visitors, Roz (66), was planning to do some housework but realised that her hands ‘felt funny’. Having rheumatoid arthritis this, in itself, wasn’t unusual but, as Roz looked in the mirror she saw that her face also looked ‘odd’. As the seconds passed, Roz knew that she was suffering the symptoms of a stroke.

Paramedic, Nigel Hare, said, “The sooner a stroke patient gets medical help, the great their chances of a good recovery. Using F.A.S.T. as a guide will help. First, check Face – maybe the smile is lop-sided or an eye is drooping?

Second, can the patient lift both arms – does either feel numb or weak? Third, is their speech slurred or garbled?

Finally, T is for Time – dial 999 for immediate help.”

Fortunately, an ambulance car arrived from Holsworthy, swiftly followed by the Devon Air Ambulance landing in the nearby field “It was exactly as I’d seen on the television advert,” explained Roz. “I went downstairs and attempted to ask my partner for help, but I couldn’t make myself understood.

He finally realised what was happening and, fortunately, an ambulance car arrived from Holsworthy, swiftly followed by the Devon Air Ambulance landing in the nearby field. I never thought I’d need it – I was so embarrassed being wheeled over to it!”

The good news about recognising the signs so swiftly was www.daat.org

FACE DROOPPING

Helipad

ARM WEAKNESS

SPEECH DIFFICULTY

TIME TO CALL 999

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

49

Back Chat

Doing a turn in Gib

Fitz finds out you are never far from Devon folk even in a cave half way up a rather well-known rock a few hundred miles south of our fair county.

I

have been brought in to host a concert in The St Michael’s Caves half way up ‘The Rock’ and an auction at the Governor’s residence to raise money for The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund and to mark the 350th anniversary. I must admit I was not sure what to expect but with special guests like injured former Marine Mark Ormrod and Hollywood ‘A’ lister, ‘Superman’ Henry Cavill, I knew I was in for a very special few days.

Gibraltar is a Devon home from home; the first football shirt I saw was that of Plymouth Argyle and the wife of the shirt owner was a Gus Honeybun fan. They had lived in ‘Gib’ for three years, working for the Navy, and were really chuffed to meet a friend of the rabbit. The army officer who picked us up at the airport had lived in Plymouth for two years, his boss had lived in Plymouth for three years, the

head of the Marines Band, although based in Scotland, was married to a lady from Dartmouth, the vicar who conducted the service was from Newton Abbot and our host, His Excellency The Governor Sir James Dutton, was the C.O. at Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth for many a year. Only Henry Cavill was not part of the Devon club. Chatting to him over breakfast, we discovered that we had Jersey in common, he was born there and I lived there for a year working for the island television service. He was charming and highly fit…. as he joined the Marines to run up the Rock of Gibraltar and was constantly pestered by fans! I have only met one other Hollywood ‘A’ lister. Strangely, it was in a restaurant in North Street in Exeter in 1992. He was filming Remains of the Day at Powderham, I think? His name…Christopher Reeve. I didn’t bother to mention it to Henry.

The first football shirt I saw was that of Plymouth Argyle and the wife of the shirt owner was a Gus Honeybun fan.

Fitz

Capt Andy Gregory, Sir James Dutton, and David FitzGerald

Mark Orm Karen Fit rod and zGerald

Lady Dutton and Henry Cavill

50

Helipad

The Official Devon Air Ambulance Trust Magazine

www.daat.org

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