A Christmas Message from Chief Executive Karen Jobling
I am extremely proud to have been part of a momentous year in the life of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, and one that has placed our Charity firmly at the forefront of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the UK!
One of the most memorable moments for me was when we took delivery of our new AgustaWestland 169 helicopter in June. The arrival of this fantastic aircraft came after many months of planning and was a huge commitment for us, one which could not have been undertaken without the support of the generous people of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire who fundraise tirelessly for us, raising the £2.5million it costs to keep the helicopter flying this year.
The benefits of the new aircraft are already evident, not least of all its speed! On some missions, our crew have watched the ground fly by at speeds of over 190mph, reducing the time it takes to get to the scene - in some cases by up to 5 minutes. As well as this, our doctors and paramedics now have 360-degree access to patients in flight allowing them to carry out life-saving interventions whilst in the air.
However, our development didn’t stop there; during September, we started to carry blood on board – another huge achievement, making us the only helicopter in the East Midlands to do so. This precious life-saving resource makes a huge difference to some of our most poorly patients.
Throughout the year I have had the pleasure of meeting some amazing former-patients and their families. I have heard stories of immense courage, of people overcoming great personal challenges and of families still together thanks to the fantastic work of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance’s yellow Ambucopter. Many people are amazed to learn that we are a Charity and that we must raise the funds needed to keep the helicopter flying. The fact that we accomplish all of this with no direct Government or National Lottery funding makes what we do even more incredible.
Our staff and crew work tirelessly to provide a first class service in all that they do. So far this year, 15% of the incidents that we have attended have been to children and young people under the age of 19. The biggest category of incidents remains road traffic collisions, at 38% with medical incidents, including cardiac arrests, at 37%.
I have also had the pleasure of meeting and working with many of our amazing fundraisers and volunteers throughout the year. During 2017, our army of volunteers have donated a staggering 130,000 hours of their time to supporting our Charity – without these individuals, who dedicate so much time and effort, we could not continue to invest in the way that we have this year. I offer my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our wonderful volunteers, along with the individuals, organisations and business who continue to support us in many different ways.
Finally, I would like to wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year and we look forward to your support in 2018 which is set to be another great one for us here at the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
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| Chief Executive Karen Jobling |
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| Flashback to May when local man Trevor Cherry received this £1,680 cheque on behalf of the Air Ambulance from Brigg Town Mayor Coun Ann Eardley's Appeal Fund. The presentation was made in the Angel Suite. |
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 - Christmas Day included!
TO FIND OUT MORE
Visit www.ambucopter.org.uk
Follow @LNAACT on Twitter
Like Facebook.com/ambucopter
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