feature - Time to spare

feature

Time to spare

When you think of donating to a charity you probably think of giving money but have you ever thought about giving your time?

The East Anglian Air Ambulance is a 365-day helicopter emergency medical service which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. With a medical crew highly trained in critical care, we bring the emergency room to the patient within 25 minutes, we can then transport them to the most appropriate hospital if needed. Since our launch in 2000, we have attended over 12,500 life-saving missions and we rely on volunteers throughout the region to help us continue this vital work.

Volunteer Programme Development Manager, Victoria Pank explains: “Volunteers are a valuable resource for our charity. We receive no Government funding and, quite simply, without the dedication and support of so many fabulous people, we couldn’t work in the way that we do.”

James Edgehill, a retired carpenter and retained fire fighter from Cromer in Norfolk, has been a volunteer since 2006: “Working as a fire fighter made me realise just how important the air ambulance is, especially when we attended road traffic collisions in which injured people were trapped in their cars. I wanted to help the EAAA when I retired and I’ve got more and more involved. In a typical week I might be selling merchandise at an event one day; representing the charity at a couple of fundraising functions locally the next and collecting collection boxes the day after. I enjoy the variety of work and being ‘the face of the charity’ in my area.”

So if you have some spare time, either regularly or occasionally, come and join our team and help the East Anglian Air Ambulance continue to save lives in your area. There are many opportunities available. Working behind the scenes in one of our offices or as a public speaker or event supporter, the choice is yours! We will make sure that you are offered a position which best suits your skills, interests and availability.

It’s great fun and very rewarding – I should know, I have recently become a volunteer for this amazing charity. Why don’t you?

Visit our website at www.eaaa.org.uk/support-us/volunteer to find out more or ring Victoria on 01603 489406 (victoria.pank@eaaa.org.uk). Martine Silkstone

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As with all events the weather helps but none of this is possible without a fantastic team of volunteers who help support the Fete Committee in the setting up, clearing up and, of course, to help serve on the day.

We are reliant on our sponsors and advertisers whose patronage allows us to put on a great day of entertainment. The support of the Parish Council in our activities is also crucial.

So after a brief rest we set to work to book next year’s attractions, some of which need confirming 12 months in advance. We had some great ideas from people this year who completed the feedback form and we hope to include some of these suggestions next year. As a result of the feedback we have had new volunteers to join our existing team for next year. If you feel like helping put on a great fete next year please visit our website: www.melbournfete.co.uk or e-mail our volunteers coordinator at: volunteers@ melbournfete.co.uk. Next year’s fete will be on 28th June 2014; this date has had to be changed from that advertised earlier so please make sure that you make a note of this confirmed date for next year.

Our motto is fun and fundraising for Melbourn. We have had our fun day and have raised some funds. Now we get to give the surplus we raised to local activities. In the last few years we have given out over £10,000. So if you know of a Melbourn based activity in need of some funds, then we would love to hear from you. Please email some details of what the activity is, what you want to do with the funds and how much you would like and we will let you know. Requests should be submitted by 30th September 2013 to chair@melbournfete.co.uk.

Members of the Fete Committee really appreciate all the support we get from our community and are already brimming with enthusiasm for our fete next year. Follow us on Facebook and visit us at our website to see how things are progressing for next year. We look forward to seeing you on 28 June 2014. Trevor Purnell, Deputy Chair.