Fundraising is undertaken in Brigg and district to help pay for the operation and upkeep of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance which can be sent to our part of the county to assist those in need.
Brigg Blog has carried stories in the past about local fundraising for this worthy cause.
There are so many ways to help the Air Ambulance, or Ambucopter, save lives.
Together we can keep this vital lifesaving service operating for many years to come.
Go to www.ambucopter.org.uk/help-save-life
The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is NOT government funded and relies on the support of local communities to raise the £2.5million needed this year to keep the helicopter flying, saving lives and improving outcomes for patients 365 days a year.
The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance carries out an average of 3 missions a day. Each costs the charity approximately £2,500.
FROM MARIE WILLIAMSON, MEDIA AND PR OFFICER
When preparing for the arrival of our new AgustaWestland 169 helicopter Earlier this year there was one question on everyone’s lips – what would we call it?
Most people know that the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance helicopter is affectionately known as our Ambucopter, but this name refers to all of the helicopters that we have flown over the years. Our outgoing MD 902 Explorer helicopter was called Hector, so what could we call our new helicopter?
To help us choose a suitable name, we appealed to some very special people – the children of Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire. We knew that they would be able to come up with some fantastic names and they didn’t disappoint!
Among all of the great suggestions, one really stood out. Eight-year-old George Howden, from Skellingthorpe, said that he thought the helicopter should be called Horace – after his beloved “pet tortoise who watches Helicopter Heroes” with him. We loved this suggestion – and so did our judging panel - so we decided that our new helicopter will be called Horace!
George, his sister Jessica, mum Jo, grandmother Joyce, and of course, Horace the tortoise, were invited to the Charity’s operational base at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to see the new helicopter for themselves.
Pilot Tim Taylor, said: “It was great to meet George and his family, and of course Horace. It was the very first time that we have ever had a visit from an animal at our airbase and it caused quite a commotion amongst the crew, who were able to meet George and Horace in between life-saving missions.”
During his visit, George met pilot Tim Taylor, co-pilot Llewis Ingamells, paramedics Roger Linnell and John McKenzie and Doctor
Chris Gough, who showed him some of the training aids that the crew use, including their interactive SIM-man training dummy, Elvis, and a full body skeleton showing not only bones but also muscles and major arteries.
George was also able to wave to the crew as the helicopter leapt into the air to attend another patient in need of our care.
George said: “When I found out I had won the competition, I was so excited and even though you couldn’t really tell, I know that Horace was too. I had an amazing day meeting Horace the helicopter and all of the crew, and I’m really proud that I can say that the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is named the same as my tortoise. I really love helicopters, so it was really cool to see the air ambulance and learn about all the equipment and what the crew do every day when they save lives.”
The Charity’s new AW169 helicopter was launched in June 2017. It is the Charity’s fourth helicopter since 1994 and will continue to save lives every day in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. On average it is called to three potentially life-saving missions every day of the year!
Every year its costs £2.5million to keep our Ambucopter in the skies – something only possible thanks to the continued support of the people in the communities we serve who help to raise this money. We regularly get involved with local schools, teachers and students who can all help us fundraise and raise awareness of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. If you would like to arrange a fundraising event at your school, please get in touch with us today via enquiries@ambucopter.org.uk or visit our website www.ambucopter.org.uk to download a fundraising pack.
Alternatively to help save a life today – you can donate through our website – every penny really does count.
PICTURED ABOVE: Jessica, George, Horace the tortoise, and mum Jo meet pilot Tim Taylor, left, and co-pilot Llewis Ingamells.
Click here to view our story from May about retiring Brigg Town Mayor Coun Ann Eardley presenting a bumper cheque to the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance representative and local man Trevor Cherry - pictured below.
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