Local News
East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is now 24/7 by air and by road, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Thanks to incredible community support, EAAA is now able to provide the same level of service, day and night, by air and by road, to be there for more people in need. A long-term ambition of the charity’s, the five-anda-half-hour gap in the region where there has been no helicopter emergency medical service cover has now been closed; making EAAA the first air ambulance in the East of England to fly 24 hours day. This is the result of four years of careful planning, fundraising (to raise an extra million pounds a year to provide a 24/7 operation) and gradual steps towards providing round-the-clock care. The doctor and critical care paramedic teams became 24/7 by car in March 2020 and on 30 June this year EAAA started flying throughout the night for the very first time. Matthew Jones, the recently appointed CEO of EAAA, said: “This is something that we have been
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working passionately towards for several years; to provide critical care to someone in a life-threatening or life-changing situation no matter what the time of day or night. However, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of this if it wasn’t for the incredible generosity of people throughout the region who have helped EAAA grow into the amazing lifeline that it is now. We look forward to being able to fly to patients in the early hours of the morning, where our teams have previously only been available by rapid response vehicle.” Take on the Trek 24 challenge to support this 24/7 service To celebrate this enormous milestone for the charity, EAAA is organising a 24-mile or 24-kiliometre walking challenge in Bedfordshire and there is still plenty of time to get signed up and take part! Trek 24 The Chilterns Challenge takes place on Saturday 4 September and offers two circular routes through the stunning Chiltern hills and surrounding countryside, starting and finishing at Hexton Manor. After successfully trialling this type of trek event in Norfolk in 2019, EAAA is excited to bring Trek 24 to Bedfordshire for the very first time and needs your help to make it a success, either through helping to spread the word, taking part or volunteering on the day! All funds raised through the event will help to fund this amazing 24/7 life-saving service. Sign up now at: www.trek-24.co.uk and to save £10 on your ticket price, use code VILLAGER10.
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