Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Magazine SUMMER 2012
Help us celebrate
our 5th Birthday Year Sat Sat 30th 30th June June at at Popham Popham Airfield Airfield near near Winchester Winchester
Bag It Up See how how your your See textiles help help textiles support support HIOWAA HIOWAA
..... Getting Getting to to know know us us Paramedic Paramedic Pat Pat Andrews Andrews
Our Corporate Sponsors H ampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance would like to thank our Corporate Sponsors for their generosity, help and support in so many ways. Our sponsors include:
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AT Andover Trailers Brijan Coach Tours British Automobile Racing Club Ed’s Easy Diner Festival Place John Lewis National Motor Museum Beaulieu HendyGroup Hogg Robinson Group Kall Kwik
M&S Popham Airfield Premier Underwriting Red Funnel Sainsbury’s Skandia Southern Water The Winchester Hotel Thruxton Circuit Wightlink Zurich
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance 4 Kings Park Road, Southampton Hampshire SO15 2AS t. 023 8033 3377 e. enquiries@hiow-airambulance.org.uk www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk Charity No. 1106234
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Our 5th Birthday Join us at our Summer Fair Popham Airfield Sat 30th June This is perhaps the most significant edition of Helimed56 to date, as we mark our 5th Birthday since the first flight. This is a celebration of all that has taken place, all the progress which has been made and all the hard work and dedication shown by so many people to bring the charity and the Air Ambulance to this five year milestone. The enormous support which we receive from our wonderful volunteers has enabled the charity to take the message into the community further than ever before, and without their tireless efforts, this would not be possible. The Air Ambulance is not about the helicopter, impressive though it is. It’s about people. It’s the people who raise the funds to keep it flying. It’s the kind donors of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight whose generosity keeps the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives. It’s the people who give talks to community groups and who attend events. It’s those who look after collection pots and help with bucket collections. It’s the courageous crew members who attend sick and injured people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight every day and sometimes save
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Contents their lives. It’s those who work in the charity’s Head Office and it’s our Patron and Trustees who give us guidance and governance. The Air Ambulance is about all of you and I would like to thank you all for these first five years of success and progress and I look forward to much more to come. Our 5th Birthday Summer Fair, at Popham Airfield, on Saturday 30th June, is the largest of the events to celebrate our birthday and we hope that a great many of you will be able to join us at this free fun-filled family day.
Getting to know us Our 5th Birthday First Five Years A Patient’s Story Flight for Life Lottery An Interview with Volunteers Bag It Up IOW Skate Boarders Let’s go round again Events Why not Bag It Up Walk the Test Way Way to Go! Future interests
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John Perry Chief Executive
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance 4 Kings Park Road, Southampton Hampshire SO15 2AS t. 023 8033 3377 e. enquiries@hiow-airambulance.org.uk www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk Charity No. 1106234
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Getting to know us HEMS Aircrew Paramedic Pat Andrews
Why not come along and bring the family for a funfilled day out at the 5th Birthday Summer Fair?
M y name is Pat
E veryone likes to
Andrews. I am 37 and have been working with the Air Ambulance since it started in 2007. I joined the ambulance service in 1997 and trained in London, spending most of my career working in Brixton, on cars and ambulances. For my last two years in London, I worked in the West End, attending patients on a bicycle. I then moved to Kirkby Moorside, in Yorkshire, where I spent a short time getting London out of my system. I secretly applied to South Central Ambulance Service for the position of Permanent Aircrew Paramedic. I didn’t really expect to get anywhere with it and felt that, as I had just moved my fiancée, Lou, up to Yorkshire, she wouldn’t be that pleased to move again.
Soon after getting married, I got an invitation to attend a selection process in Hampshire. I felt it was time to tell Lou! We came down to Hampshire and pitched our tent at a campsite just outside Winchester. I passed the swimming test, the advanced life support assessment and scraped through the Bleep test. The next day I had an interview, then headed back to Yorkshire. The following week, I was told I had been successful, but could I start in two weeks time! Luckily Yorkshire Ambulance Service was very accommodating and agreed to let me go early. Lou and I packed up our tent once again and headed south for a two-week stay in a campsite.
I ran the London Marathon for the Air Ambulance in a time of five hours, seven minutes... Whilst I attended my HEMS training at Thruxton, Lou went in search of somewhere to live. She found a lovely place in Romsey and we moved down a few days later, after which, we went on our Honeymoon to Africa for two weeks. I was away for the first Air Ambulance flight, but being part of the first Air
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Ambulance team was still a bit daunting. We were very aware we had to make a good impression to our colleagues on the road, as a number of Ambulance staff were fairly skeptical about the Air Ambulance. We had to get as many people to believe in it as we could, otherwise they wouldn’t be calling us to help them out. Luckily, people very quickly became aware of the benefits of the helicopter and we were being called out to numerous missions around the county. In this time, Lou and I have moved from Romsey to Sutton Scotney, where we bought our first house and had two lovely boys, Oliver and William. Last year, I ran the London Marathon for the Air Ambulance in a time of five hours, seven minutes and raised nearly two thousand pounds. I also ran in the Bupa 10k in London at the end of May, to raise money for HIOWAA. I have been very privileged and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Air Ambulance and look forward to spending many more years flying around the beautiful countryside of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
celebrate their birthday with a party and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is no exception. We would like to invite you all to join us on Saturday 30th June, at Popham Airfield near Winchester, for our 5th Birthday Summer Fair.
pampering. The arena events include Zumba dancers, The Tigers children’s motorcycle display team, a marching band, dogs, and a Hot Air Balloon display. For your entertainment, The Plonkers, Hampshire’s very own agricultural orchestra, will be playing throughout the day, in the music tent, supported by Cascade Southdown Ladies Choir. There will be plenty to choose from for lunch in the Food Court.
Why not come along, bring the family for a fun filled day out and help us celebrate our first five years. With free entry and plenty of free parking, this is the ideal family occaision. Full details are on our website at www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk/page. cfm/ events/5th-birthday-summer- fair30th-june
This is a free entry family event with something for everyone to enjoy. If you are interested in aircraft, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance aircraft will be there, along with a visit from our sister Air Ambulance from Thames Valley and Chiltern. There will also be a flypast from the AN2 bi-plane. You can view a range of emergency vehicles, both vintage and modern, rally cars, motorcycles, coaches and fire engines. There will be a tethered hot air balloon, children’s rides and entertainment, a wide range of interesting stands, craft marquees, and a well-being marquee for a moment of
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
First Five Years Ailsa Montagu Our Patron
When I was invited to become patron of HIOWAA shortly before the charity was launched on 1 July 2007, the organisation was small, informal and keen to learn lessons from its more established sister services in other counties. Five years on, those lessons have proved invaluable and HIOWAA is now itself a highly experienced operation. At the same time, it has not lost sight of the need to stay small and maintain the informal feel – an advantage both in terms of efficiency and in maintaining a friendly working atmosphere. The service frequently refers to itself as a “family”, and this is far from being merely a phrase. At the time of the launch, the focus was on getting the fundraising infrastructure off the ground: a mammoth task from a standing start. The cost of keeping a helicopter flying 365 days a year with no government funding cannot be overestimated, and if you are trying to recruit office staff and pull together fund-raising initiatives at the same time, you have your work cut out. As patron, I have observed these efforts throughout the last five years, and been hugely impressed. 4
Of course, a patron only has a glimpse into the depth and breadth of work involved. In organisational terms, I have seen a committee of ten Trustees appointed, closely followed by a team of forty Vice-Patrons. Both groups consist of highly talented individuals with invaluable experience and contacts – as medics, lawyers, accountants, fundraisers and business people. Some even hold a helicopter pilot’s license. All are fully committed to HIOWAA and its mission, and will use their skills and knowledge to ensure that the service it provides continues well into the future. Throughout the whole of its first five years, the charity has been working unceasingly to put together a core office staff who come up with fund-raising ideas, recruit and direct a wider team of volunteers, raise the charity’s profile to the outside world and manage its finances. To date, this has been the bedrock of the fundraising effort, and it has paid dividends. The sheer number and variety of fund-raising initiatives the team and its volunteers have come up with has been nothing short of breathtaking. As a result, HIOWAA now has a substantial presence in the wider community. In the meantime, of course, the work done by the pilots and paramedics, and the high visibility of the helicopter has all helped to win public appreciation and affection for the service. Five years down the line, this is an enormous gratification for all involved. Last year, the charity’s permanent staff had the additional reward of a move to a better and larger office, with much of the equipment they needed donated by members of the business community. All of this hard work has resulted in many milestones over the past five years: the lease of our first dedicated helicopter in July 2007, the upgrade to the EC135 in September 2010, the selection of HIOWAA as the dedicated charity at the New Forest Show in July last year, and the plans underway to further improve the coverage of the service to include night flying. These milestones, coupled
with the tireless and dedicated work of the staff and our many volunteers, is proof that the charity has come of age and is looking confidently to the future, armed now with very many friends.
Robin Beal Trustee
Over six years ago, I was approached by Charles Deakin to become involved in the instigation of an Air Ambulance service for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. As an Isle of Wight resident and doctor working in Emergency Medicine, I was keen to be involved in the project from the unique island perspective. Following the initial discussions, I became one of the inaugural Trustees. The fledgling organisation, with no aircraft and only the vision of a service to come, soon took a place in the hearts of the population of the area. With a rudimentary office staff and dedicated volunteers, we were able to raise enough money to set up a service with paramedics and volunteer doctors from the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS). We wanted to develop an organisation, fit for purpose and built on sound governance. Following several changes in management structure and Trustee membership, an organisation under the chairmanship of Barry
Lipscomb emerged, of which we could be proud. John Perry became Chief Executive in July 2009 and this provided the day to day leadership we longed for. He developed a team of Head Office staff and fundraisers who have given us the means by which we can progress towards the vision of maximising flying hours, with medical staff working alongside paramedics and pilots. It is clear that the use of the Air Ambulance is important in varying ways across the region and we can now ensure that each area is dealt with appropriately, using the expertise available from South Central Ambulance Service. Whether it be a patient being picked up from the roadside in rural Hampshire, or a patient requiring emergency transfer from the Isle of Wight to Southampton, the service is there. We are now in the position, as Trustees, where we can consider the future of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance with confidence. The charity is fortunate, in these trying economic times, that our generous donors continue to provide us with the resources to fly on a daily basis. It has been a challenging journey to get to this point, but we can all see the success that this organisation has become and the difference it is making to the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Thank you to all involved.
Ambulance is needed in the community. Fundraising for the charity is always interesting, and fun. I am approaching my 30th year of marriage to Allan, who is a Paramedic! Allan was attached to the London Helicopter, before we moved down to the Isle of Wight with our four daughters. Alan is now working as a Motorcycle Paramedic in Portsmouth, my daughters are all grown up and I have two wonderful grandchildren. I hope that I can carry on working with HIOWAA for another 7 years and more, as without sounding really corny, it is such a rewarding thing to do and I meet a lot of fantastic people. I hope to meet you somewhere, maybe raising money or doing something really interesting for HIOWAA!
Roger Leppard Community Fundraiser
Rosemarie Norman Community Fundraiser
Working for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is the first job I’ve had with a charity, having worked for 32 years in business. I joined the team in January 2010 and really enjoy the role of Community Fundraiser, learning so much about the charity world.
I’m lucky enough to have seen the charity grow and grow since September 2005 and the start of the service on July 1st 2007. There has always been great public support, however it has increased with the awareness of how much the Air
Prof Charles Deakin Divisional Medical Director South Central Ambulance Service
This position allows me to meet with so many fantastic people, whose generosity never fails to amaze me. I find the job I do humbling compared to the work of the Paramedics and Pilots of the air ambulance, who I regard as some of the most dedicated people I’ve had the pleasure to know. The volunteers who give up so much time and energy for us are also fantastic and never fail to amaze me with the generosity of their support.
When I moved from London to Southampton in 1994, I arrived in the only area of the UK without an Air Ambulance! Having recently finished a six month post with the London Air Ambulance, I was convinced of the benefits such a service could bring and was determined to see that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had access to this life-saving resource. Although I had no idea where to start, Paris Smith solicitors assisted in setting up the charity and we managed to secure a small grant from the Department of Health to get the charity going. With help from Dorset Air Ambulance and growing interest and support from the public and, what was at the time Hampshire Ambulance Service, funds started arriving. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I banked the very first cheque for £1000, but with a growing network of fundraisers, we very soon started raising significant amounts. When Bond Air Services came to visit in 2005 to discuss costs, it really did seem that we were actually going to achieve our dreams and by 2007, we had raised sufficient funds to begin a part-time service. The past five years have seen the service develop considerably, initially increasing flying hours to seven days per week and now having doctors flying more regularly to support the paramedics. Now that ambulance crews are more used to working with the aircraft, we are also getting used more regularly, particularly to support crews Continued
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... and more of our team
after Five Years at more serious incidents. This will be further enhanced by the ambulance Special Incident Desk that will be manned by an Air Ambulance paramedic to ensure that the helicopter is dispatched to all jobs where it may be of benefit.
Cllr Barry Lipscomb Our Chairman
With the advent of helipads at Portsmouth and more recently Southampton hospitals, patients can be transported to hospital even faster and the Isle of Wight has benefitted in particular for patient transfer. It is difficult to imagine a service without an Air Ambulance, which is now a major resource for all serious incidents. With the opening of University Hospital Southampton, on 2nd April 2012, as a major trauma centre, HIOWAA provides vital support for the entire trauma network, supporting the ambulance services, delivering critical care to patients at the roadside and transferring patients quickly to appropriate hospitals. As the service develops, there are plenty of challenges ahead; extending the flying into hours of darkness and funding doctors to fly on a more regular basis are two of the current priorities. There have been many people who have worked incredibly hard and with enormous enthusiasm to achieve what we have so far and it is very rewarding to now see patients visiting us at Thruxton whose lives have been changed for the better through the efforts of all the volunteers and staff who dedicate themselves to this service.
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one of the youngest. Our aircrew are a source of great pride to the Board; they are outstanding in all they do, but modest with it. Our HQ team is indefatigable! While we always need to raise money, our financial position is very sound. Finally, we have excellent external working relationships with South Central Ambulance Service, of which I am a Governor, representing HIOWAA and our sister Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. And I never forget the public whom we serve and our fabulous supporters and volunteers.
Happy 5th Birthday, HIOWAA – there is much to celebrate!
I have just completed a wonderful year as the 812th Mayor of Winchester, during which I raised over £32,000 for my three chosen charities, of which HIOWAA is one. My last engagement was to attend the HIOWAA concert by the Romsey Male Voice Choir in Winchester’s magnificent Great Hall. I couldn’t have wished for a better finale, linking the two organisations which mean so much in my life, in the historic city of which I am so proud. My introduction to HIOWAA was back in 2006, when I was signed up as a Flight for Life Lottery member, after speaking with one of our canvassers. That man made a very good impression on me and look what it led to! In October 2008, I became a Trustee and was asked to become Chairman that December. Since then, I have led the Charity to a position of strength and prominence. I believe strongly in good governance, which has been the cornerstone of all that the Charity has done under my leadership. In those three and a half years, we have strengthened both the Board and the Executive, who together have developed the operational Charity to one which is now up there with the very best Air Ambulances in the UK, while remaining
June Leatham Community Fundraiser
I like working for HIOWAA, because it’s a charity without boundaries. It doesn’t matter if you are six or one hundred and six, male or female, big or small, the service is there for everyone, as long as there is enough financial support for it. I enjoy doing events the most. Despite often being a very long day from start to finish and coping with all the British weather throws at us, it’s great to be able to work alongside our super volunteers. We also get to meet members of the public, who often have incredible stories to tell linked to Air Ambulance experiences.
Kirsty Watts Administration Officer and Volunteer Coordinator
our helicopter flying. The most difficult thing though is to remember my office name as everyone is usually called by a nickname and this can change readily. Usually I’m known as Rodney!
Caroline Roe Trustee
H i, I’m Kirsty and I’m the Administration Officer and Volunteer Coordinator here at HIOWAA. I came to work at the Air Ambulance after graduating with a Human Resource Management with Business Psychology Degree and couldn’t have found a job or cause I could be more passionate about! We have an amazing bunch of volunteers and I am honoured to work with all of them. Without them, we couldn’t do everything we do – and we cannot express our gratitude enough. As well as coordinating the volunteers and leading the small administration team at Head Office, I help organise our key events. I love getting involved with the whole process and seeing the event come to life.
Ron Murrant Administration Assistant
I am Ron and I joined HIOWAA just after early retirement two years ago. Working in the office is really rewarding for me, as I am involved in the central hub of the organisation and can see how everyone’s efforts contribute to keeping
M y past association with the not-forprofit sector involved fund-raising for a number of charities (including Naomi House and the RNLI) and as a governor of the new Skinners’ Kent Academy, but my involvement and experience in the governance of a major charity had been limited. I also knew absolutely nothing about the emergency services, or the operating of helicopters.
might be prepared to become major sponsors on a long-term basis. Even though my association with HIOWAA is relatively recent, I have witnessed a number of changes that demonstrate the dynamic nature of the charity. We now have a larger and more modern helicopter, we worked closely with the HELP appeal to facilitate the new helipad at Southampton Hospital and we fund paramedics working on the Special Incidents Desk within the Emergency Operations Control at South Central Ambulance Service. I now know a little about emergency services and helicopters – at least, more than I used to – but, most importantly, I really appreciate the skills and dedication of all those who work on behalf of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. It is a privilege to be involved with this admirable organisation and the securing of its long-term future.
Phillip Stirling Administration Assistant
Thus it was with some trepidation that I accepted the offer to become a Trustee of HIOWAA two years ago. It was readily apparent to me that, while the operational aspects of the Air Ambulance were effectively delegated to third parties, albeit with very close management by the charity’s Executive and Trustees, the fund-raising and promoting of public awareness were areas where I could be of some help. HIOWAA’s Flight for Life lottery and the Bag-It-Up recycling scheme produce a steady stream of income, but it is also necessary to ensure that funds can be raised in other areas on a regular basis to help underpin the financial position of the charity, bearing in mind not a single penny comes from Government funding. HIOWAA is most fortunate in having a large and loyal band of volunteers, running local fund-raising campaigns and collections as well as encouraging the take-up of the lottery. What we lacked were introductions to harness the potentially huge amount of good will and support from those who have access to grant-giving charities and individuals who
M y name is Phillip Stirling and I’m an Admin Assistant for HIOWAA. Since graduating from the University of Winchester, I have been involved with HIOWAA in some way. I started off as a graduate intern and after refusing to leave (apart from a three month holiday in Australia), I have progressed from part-time worker to full-time position (you see, sometimes it works). It’s nice to see the work you’re doing is going towards a valuable source and you get direct interaction with people who have used the Air Ambulance. The thing I enjoy the most would be working with the public and the volunteers. To be pulling in the same direction for a worthwhile cause is very satisfying. 7
A Patient’s Story
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Natalia Simmons I t was December the 27th and I was taking a post - Christmas walk with my husband and four children, on a small path next to the river between Winchester and Kingsworthy. Suddenly, I developed acute abdominal pain and couldn’t go on any further. My husband called for an ambulance, but it soon became apparent they wouldn’t be able to make it down the narrow path from the main road. It was time for the Air Ambulance to get involved! Conveniently, I’d collapsed next to a field, so after a few circuits around and frantic shouting and coat waving by my children, the helicopter landed and my ‘heroes’ jumped out I think their names were Dave, Tim and Rocky and there may have been a fourth team member, but forgive me if I’m wrong. I had my
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eyes shut for a lot of the time and had been lying in the path for about half an hour! I was not only in a lot of pain, but also cold and shivering.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Lottery Office 5 Mallard Buildings, Station Road New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6HY
I was hoisted through a gap in the hedge (almost losing one of the team into the river)...
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My heroes were just fantastic! They were calm, reassuring and efficient, but they all had a sense of humour that relaxed me and let me know I was in safe hands. They were professional and great, not only with me, but also the children, who weren’t sure whether to be upset that their mother was clearly in pain or wildly excited that a helicopter had just landed in a field to take me to hospital! After a good dose of painkillers, I was hoisted through a gap in the hedge (almost losing one of the team into the river) and off we went to Southampton General on a surprisingly quick and calm ride. I think it was Tim who escorted me down to A&E and did the handover to the Doctors there. Despite there being a very small window of time, as another helicopter was due in, he didn’t rush.
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Name & full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Tim even found the time to give me a helicopter badge for my youngest son. It was he who suggested we should visit the base with the children when I was better, just in case the children were traumatised about the day’s events (which they are clearly not, as they haven’t stopped talking about it and the older two are talking about becoming paramedics). Charlie is thrilled with his badge and insists on wearing it constantly, even on his pyjamas! Anyway, I had emergency surgery that evening and it turned out that unbeknownst to me, I had perforated my appendix the week before Christmas and then, during the walk, ruptured the resulting abscess that had formed around it. I’m on the mend now and would like to say a HUGE thank you to all the team, including the staff on the end of the telephone who, my husband said, were brilliant. It’s horrible to think what might have happened if the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance service did not exist and it was definitely a positive experience in the events of that day.
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An Interview with
Volunteers Lisa – We both decided to become volunteers two years ago because of a car accident we had in 2007, where I had to be airlifted to hospital. Simon – The Air Ambulance went live in July 2007 and the accident happened in August, so Lisa was one of the first people to use the service. We didn’t realise that the Air Ambulance was out there, until we had to use it, so that’s what brought us on board. Lisa – As a patient with a fear of heights, who had never flown before, it was quite terrifying. At the time, there was no room for a friend or family member
on board, but Fraser and Pat, the two paramedics on duty that day, were my guardian angels. They were fantastic, reassuring me all the way to the hospital. So, we wanted to give something back. I think it was Fraser who said: “I think you ought to come on board, as a volunteer. Give it a go.” And that’s where it started.
Q. Have you met your guardian angels since the accident? Lisa & Simon - Yes, we try to pop up to the airbase when we can, usually a couple of times a year – around the anniversary of the accident and again at Christmas. We take the Air Ambulance team a box of goodies, just to say thank you, because you can’t put a price on life. The paramedics see it as an everyday job. I don’t know if they realise just how much they touch people’s lives. 10
Q. How do you support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance?
Q. Can you tell me more about the accident? Simon – Somebody was driving the wrong way on our side of the road and Lisa swerved to avoid them. As she did so, our car hit a standing stone and flipped over. We went down the road on our side and dropped into the little stream at the side. I didn’t realise at the time that Lisa’s arm had gone out through the driver-side window and was dragged under the car for 20 feet. She’d lost everything near down to the bone more or less, on a section of her right arm. I was lucky, as I was only injured by the glass, bruised and shaken. So, I sat and talked to Lisa until the emergency services arrived. They had to get me out via the passengerside window, but they had to cut Lisa out of the car, which was hard to watch.
Q. How long have you been a volunteer for HIOWAA and why did you become involved? I’ve been a volunteer with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance for about four and a half or five years. I met Lynne Dadley, who used to be a fundraiser with the charity, at ASDA in Fratton Road, and she spoke to me about the charity and I got involved as a volunteer from that day. I thought the charity was really worthwhile, as any one of us, my family and friends, might need to use it one day, and it needs all the support it can get.
Lisa and Simon Benham Q. How long have you been volunteers for HIOWAA and why did you become involved?
Jon McGuigan
I help with moving the display Pod to various shows and events. We also do a regular Christmas collection at Waterlooville shopping precinct, and have done this for four years or more and it usually raises over £1,000 with our teddy bear tombola as well. I’m part of a team of volunteers with whom I work, called the Portsmouth Bunch and we Q. Do you enjoy giving back? Simon – Definitely. Because of my job, I do 12½ hour shifts – three days on, four days off on variable rotas. This means that sometimes, I can do events that other people can’t do. As Lisa can’t do week-days because of work, we do quite a few evenings and weekends. We do quite a few talks to Scouts and Women’s Institutes. I’ve heard Jerusalem that many times, I can sing it off the top of my head. And Scouts like gory – the gorier, the better. Lisa – We do all different kinds of events and talks and we totally enjoy it. I work full-time in a shop, so helping the charity is my fun time, my de-stress time. Our children also get involved and help us out at events. Our daughter will often check our stock of merchandise and if we don’t have enough, she can just walk over to the office to collect more, as she goes to College in Southampton. We love talking to people and raising awareness of the service that the charity provides.
often attend fundraising events, shows and fairs. We sometimes bring our old fire engines and ambulances which help to raise funds because the children love them. I’m a sound engineer and sometimes when the charity is running an event, I help them with sound and lighting. Q. What do you get from volunteering? I meet lots of new people at events and shows, and I’ve made friends amongst the other volunteers as well. My wife Victoria often comes along to the shows to help, and we have lots of laughs. I try to attend as many of the volunteer gatherings as I can because they keep us up to date with what’s happening in the charity and what our goals and ambitions are. I feel as If I’m doing my bit to help keep the Air Ambulance flying. It’s a great group of people to be involved with, very supportive and they will always make you feel welcome and part of the family.
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VOLUNTEERS - We Need You! The strength of every charity lies with its volunteers, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is no different. Our volunteers play a vital part in the organisation of the charity and they are our link with the local community. We are seeking volunteers with a range of skills, throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. If you would like to join the team and get involved in the work of the Air Ambulance please contact:
Kirsty Kirsty Watts Watts on on kirsty@hiow-airambulance.org.uk kirsty@hiow-airambulance.org.uk or or 02380 02380 333377 333377 11
Recycling to Save Lives An easy way to support our Air Ambulance To find your nearest Recycle Bin click on our website and register your postcode
Isle of Wight
E V E N T S
Skate boarding
Let’s go round again 22nd & 23rd Sept T his year marks the third incarnation of the Isle of Wight Skate in aid of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. This year, at the beginning of the trip, the team will be starting off a series of events marking the start of National Air Ambulance week. Dan Shinnie, from the Skateboard Around the Island Committee, said: “With a clockwise route around the coastal roads, ending in West Cowes on Sunday afternoon, the team also intends to make two interactive stops; one at a “Fun Day” at Tesco Express, Ryde on the 22nd and one at The Needles on the 23rd. At both locations there will be opportunities to become involved with the trip and learn more about longboarding, or about Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and the lifeline service they provide; all from charitable donations and fund-raising events like ours.”
We accept: Clothes, Underwear Shoes, Blankets Sheets, Towels
. . . . .
Tesco have warmly invited us to be at the store, so the charity is hoping to make it an interesting time there. We are hoping to have a presence from all the emergency services for the day, as well as the Air Ambulance, if operations allow.
If you have experience of Longboards on roads, then why not get involved. At both the events, the skateboarders will be there to talk about the boards they are using and how to use them, with some useful tips for those interested in taking up the sport, as they will be using Longboards rather than skateboards. Each year, their efforts are pulling in more sponsorship and this year we are likely to see more skateboarders as well. If you are interested in taking part, have experience of Longboards on roads, then why not get involved. Just contact us on enquiries@hiow-airambulance.org.uk and we will pass it on to Dan. Whether skating or watching, you can show your support for these fantastic people, so come along to either the Needles, Alum Bay or Tesco Express, Ryde, IOW.
RUSHMOOR ODD FELLOWS MALE VOICE CHOIR Thurs 28th June at the Princes Hall Aldershot, the Rushmoor Odd Fellows Male Voice Choir will be ‘Singing For You’. The ‘You’ in this case is the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service. This charity will be the sole beneficiary from this concert. Tickets are priced at just £10 and include a complimentary programme. For further information and details of how to purchase tickets, please refer to their web site www.rushmoormvc.org HIOWAA 5TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS. SUMMER FAIR Sat 30th June. Popham Airfield, Popham, SO21 3BD. 10am - 4pm No birthday year is complete without a birthday party – so that’s what we are doing! Come and join us on 30th June at Popham Airfield to help us celebrate our 5th Birthday year. With vintage vehicles, arena events, numerous attractions and plenty of stands there will be something for the whole family at this event. Entry is free, and there is plenty of free parking. Full details can be found on page 3 of this magazine. ANDOVER ARMED FORCES DAY 2012 Sun 1st July. Vigo Park, Andover. 10.30am. Andover will again be holding a free event for all the family, with Military Displays, both static and live. Live music on stage, Fun Fair, trade stalls, beer tent and much more. www.andoverarmedforcesday.org.uk SPARSHOLT FETE 2012 Sat 7th July. Sparsholt Manor, Sparsholt, Winchester, SO21 2NW. 10.30 – 4.30pm. Traditional English Village Fun. Sparsholt is a beautiful village just to the west of Winchester. The annual fete is quintessentially English and held in the fabulous grounds of Sparsholt Manor. Come and experience all of the usual favourites from a village fete. Crafts, produce, cakes, books and many games for both adults and children, bouncy castle and face painting. This year we also have a falconry display from Lainston House and the ever-popular pony rides. HAMPSHIRE WATER FESTIVAL Sat 14th July – Sun 15th July. Staunton Country Park, Middle Park Way, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 5HB. The Hampshire Water Partnership was formed in 2001 to promote water conservation in a fun but informative way! The aim is to encourage all of us to use this precious natural resource with more care and understanding. The Water Festival will feature: Half-price admission to the Staunton Farm and Gardens, Olympic Sports event on Sun 15 July – Free ‘taster’ sports activities, Over 50 exhibitors including water-related organisations, local food producers and garden nurseries, full programme of Live entertainment on stage, Family activities including pond-dipping and face-painting, Interactive workshops, picnic areas, Refreshments and food vendors. For more information please see: www.hampshirewaterfestival.co.uk
For more information please visit:
www.bagitup.org.uk 12
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Graphics ..... since 1981
We are proud to be associated with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Congratulations on your 5th Birthday Corporate Literature Exhibition Photography Point of Sale Print Management Signage Stationery Web Design
t. 02380 783113 m. 077 9878 5809 e. bryantc@btconnect.com www.cb-graphics.co.uk With any new work produced from this advert, 10% will be given to HIOWAA.
BUSINESSES -
Can You Help? You may have seen our bright yellow collecting pots in restaurants, on the bar in your local pub, in shops and offices. These pots bring in much needed funds to help support the work of the Air Ambulance. If you would like one or more of these pots on your premises, or would like other ideas of how your company can help support us, please contact:
C A L L I N G
A L L
A d r e n a l i n e S e e k e rs Does the idea of jumping out of an aircraft at 1200 feet appeal to you? How about cycling from London to Paris, or Lands End to John O’Groats? Perhaps a Volcano and Ice Cap Trek in Iceland or a climb to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. All of these fantastic adventures, and many more besides, are available to those of you who fancy a challenge whilst raising much needed funds for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Why not put yourself to the test for a most worthy cause. Contact HIOWAA on 02380 333377 or enquiries@hiow-airambulance.org.uk
HIOWAA on 02380 333377 or enquiries@hiow-airambulance.org.uk
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Have you got any unwanted clothes stashed at the back of your wardrobe?
A pair of old shoes? A shirt that’s too tight? A bra that doesn’t fit? Every day, we hear about the benefits of recycling paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and food scraps, but did you know that there are also immense benefits to recycling your old clothes, shoes, bras and household textiles? First of all, you are reducing landfill. The space required to bury our waste in the ground is running out, but even if there was room, many items do not decompose. Even old jumpers produce methane and contribute to global warming. Also, local authorities have to pay fines and increased landfill taxes if they don’t meet waste recycling targets set by the government. That means less money being invested in the local area. The national target, set in the Waste Strategy 2007, is to ensure that at least 45% of our household waste is recycled or composted by 2015 and 50% by 2020. Recycling will help to achieve those goals. Saving energy and preventing depletion of the planet’s natural resources is also a huge concern. Textile recycling saves the energy and water used to process raw wool or cotton, or in the manufacture of synthetic fabrics. Plus, reusing unwanted products and using recycled products to make new ones reduces the need to source raw materials, which often involves cutting down trees and mining the earth worldwide.
... all the clothing banks help raise more than £5,000 every week for the Air Ambulance. The reaches of recycling textiles are far and wide, but if you’re looking closer to home, the benefits to your chosen charity and the local population are endless. If you chose to pop those unwanted items into one of HIOWAA’s 300 yellow textile banks, you are
effectively donating money that goes directly towards saving lives in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. But no money changes hands, I hear you say! Well, you’re right, but thanks to our recycling partner, Bag It Up, all the clothing banks help raise more than £5,000 every week for the Air Ambulance. Bag It Up provides all the resources needed to run the recycling scheme. They collect and resell your unwanted donations to markets in the UK and overseas and HIOWAA receives payment in relation to the weight of these collections. Bag It Up also ensures there is no waste. Good quality garments are sorted, repacked and resold in the UK and worldwide.
... a pair of trousers with a broken zip or a blouse with a hole in it, don’t throw it in the bin. Pop it in a bag and take it to one of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s recycling banks ... The best quality and designer items, also known as the “cream”, are sold mainly in Eastern Europe. Bras find themselves on markets, mainly in West Africa, where the need for good quality, but inexpensive underwear is high. Shoes walk their way into Pakistan and India, where they are buffed and cleaned until they look brand new. Other items find their way to Japan, Asia, Europe... and those that cannot be resold are recycled into industrial wipers and cloths, insulation, new fibres and such like. All garments are recycled in one way or another. So, if you have a coat you no longer wear, a pair of trousers with a broken zip or a blouse that no longer fits, don’t throw it in the bin. Pop it in a bag and take it to one of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s recycling banks and help save a life!
Why not Bag It Up and give it to HIOWAA! 16
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Walk the Test Way The Rotary Club of Romsey Test have been organising 'Walk the Test Way' since 2004 and have raised over £250,000 for charities including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. The walk is along the beautiful Test Way in Hampshire, which stretches for approximately 45 miles from Inkpen Beacon in the north to Totton in the South; originally the route was used by sailors arriving in Southampton as a transit route to the Midlands. This year the walk takes place on Sunday 14th October and you can choose the distance you would like to walk from the ‘marathon’ 25.5 miles starting at the village of St. Mary Bourne, 16 miles from Wherwell, 11 miles from Stockbridge, 8 miles from Horsebridge, 5 miles from Mottisfont Church or 2 miles from Squabb Wood. You can join at various points depending on how fit you're feeling.
This year the walk takes place on Sunday 14th October and you can choose the distance you would like to walk Anyone can participate, but the organisers do ask that persons under 14 years are accompanied by an adult. The start is at Crossfield Hall in Romsey, from where you are transported to your chosen start point and the finish is at the 18
Memorial Park in Romsey, a short distance from where you checked in. Entry is by completion of the form on the Walk the Test Way website, the registration fee of £10 per adult (£5.00 per Under 16) covers transport, paramedic support and administration costs with your sponsorship going to your chosen charity. The sponsorship money that you collect will be distributed 75% to the charity of your choice and 25% to Rotary-supported charities. Details of the walk and a link to the registration page will be on Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s website a little closer to the event. Walk the test way website: www.walkthetestway.org.uk
Way to Go! The HIOWAA team triumphs at the Waypoint Airmed Challenge
I f you are considering making a gift to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in your Will there are three main ways of benefitting us as a charity.
These are: Specific legacies:
These are cash gifts, usually a specified amount of money such as “the sum of £x to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance”
Residuary legacies: This is where the charity takes a share of whatever is left in your residuary estate along with anyone else that you choose to benefit – such as a percentage so that each of the beneficiaries of the residuary estate can increase or decrease together; depending upon how much money you eventually leave – it is a much fairer way of sharing your money if you are uncertain whether you might need your money for care fees or some other costs during your lifetime. The problem with all of these gifts is that you need to be precise about how you make your gift to us. It isn’t enough just to say HIOWAA or even Hampshire Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, we need a bit more information to make sure that your legacy doesn’t fail in the future for any reason. For example, we need our
Victoria Cladingboel and Fraser Rowbotham entered the challenge to find out who is best in dealing with a seriously ill trauma patient. The competition consisted of a 25 minute scenario, based on a male driver who had been involved in a high-speed road traffic collision. The driver was alleged to have been ejected out of the car through the windscreen, thus sustaining multiple traumatic injuries. Each team had to show their skills on a computer manikin (Sim man), which simulated real-life medical conditions.
Fraser and Vicki found themselves up against teams from the United States (Los Angeles SWAT team Air Ambulance paramedics), France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, to name just a few.
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Your Support Can Continue into the Future
Pecuniary legacies:
Challenge was held at Kiddlington Airport, on the 1st & 2nd of May.
Air Ambulance teams came from far and wide to compete for this prestigious prize. Fraser and Vicki found themselves
E V E N T S
Such as a specific gift of an item or items, like the contents of your house, or your wine collection, etc – something personal that is described in your Will.
The Waypoint Airmed
During the test, Fraser and Vicki were put under pressure from a panel of Consultant trauma doctors from around the world and scored on their treatments in front of an international audience. The prize for the best team was £1000 for their aircraft's charity and the Waypoint Challenge trophy, not to mention a year’s publicity in the Waypoint Airmed magazine.
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full name of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance we need our full current address of 4 Kings Park Road, Southampton, SO15 2AS, but most importantly of all you need our charity number: 1106234. If you want to make sure that you don’t need to keep checking that we have made any changes to our name, address or charity number then you need to include specific wording in your Will to make sure that your gift can still take effect even with minor changes like our new address, perhaps a change of name. There is also another reason, that in such a difficult financial climate some smaller charities are being forced to merge with other smaller charities to save on resources, etc. If your Will hasn’t been drafted to allow for us to amalgamate or change then again your gift could fail. The purpose of making a gift in your Will is to ensure that your legacy makes a difference. If you don’t take professional advice at the time of making your Will so that you have the correct wording then your gift may not take effect, so it is worthwhile taking professional advice at the time of making your Will or asking us for guidance and we will provide you with some standard wording produced by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) who produce guidance for solicitors specialising in Will drafting. Lamb Brooks Solicitors
Don a tion Coup on
If you would like to make a donation by post, please send your cheque, made payable to: Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance
up against teams from the United States (Los Angeles SWAT team Air Ambulance paramedics), France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, to name just a few. Air-sea rescue teams were also taking part in the competition, as well as fixedwing Air Ambulances. The competition was fierce, but Vicki and Fraser won “Best International Air Ambulance Crew” and on top of that “Best Throughout The Whole Competition”!
Send to: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, 4 Kings Park Road,
Southampton, Hampshire SO15 2AS
Address:
Post Code:
Email:
MODEL RAILWAY SHOW – GUILD OF FANATICAL AMERICAN RAILROADERS Sat 14th July. Fourmarks Village Hall, Lymington Bottom, Four Marks, GU34 5AA. 10.30am 4pm. Admission - £3. With a number of traders attending and a number of demonstrations throughout the day – this event is a must attend for anyone model train enthusiast. NETLEY MARSH STEAM AND CRAFT SHOW 2012 Fri 20th July – Sun 22nd July. Meadowlands, Netley Marsh.10am – 5pm. The three day event has a range of traction steam engines and various other vintage vehicles and engines. With a wide range of entertainment, stalls and refreshments, there will be something for everyone. FORDINGBRIDGE FESTIVAL 2012 Sat 21st July. The Recreation Ground, Fordingbridge. 10am – 5pm. Traditional Country Show, held in the beautiful town of Fordingbridge. Mission depending, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is scheduled to visit, giving members of the public an opportunity to meet the crew and see the aircraft. Admission charges will apply, but are still to be confirmed. ANDOVER CARNIVAL 2012 Sun 22nd July. Weyhill Road, Andover. 2pm – 7.30pm. The Main stage will feature both Local and National Artists performing a wide variety of music, hosted once again by Andover Sound’s Steve Randall. To ensure all the family have a great time, we will have both children’s and adult’s fairground rides /stalls, the Table Top Circus, where children can practice their skills, together with a variety of craft and charity stalls, the Railway Tavern Beer Tent and numerous food and beverage outlets. Besides the Fun Day, our third Road Procession for both floats & walkers will move through the streets of Andover, starting at 4pm with this year’s theme of “Children’s TV, Past & Present.”
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SWANMORE SHOW 2012 Sat 14th July. Swanmore. Situated in the delightful village of Swanmore, nestling in the Hampshire countryside, this is a traditional summer show with stalls and entertainments. With lots to do for all the family, the Carnival parade goes through the village and finishes at the show site around 1.15pm.
For Mechanical Data, Rates information or general enquiries call: Colin Tabor m. 077 1074 5626 or email: colintabor@aol.com 221