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Announcements
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Hoody the Bear on Tour
The Robin Hood Owners Club and Register, RHOCaR, is the owners club associated with a model of kit car, produced in the Mansfield area of England, since the 1980's. The Club has one of the largest member bases of its type in the country and was formed when two smaller clubs, The Robin Hood Owners Club and The Robin Hood Register, were amalgamated approximately ten years ago. In 2009 we had seven hundred and twenty members, and with membership running from January to December each year, we are currently on target to achieve, and hopefully surpass this number for 2010.
Although the name of the company has changed from Robin Hood Engineering to Robin Hood Sports Cars and subsequently Great British Sports Cars, they are still producing good, affordable entry level Lotus Seven style kit cars, and through these changes of name and owners the ethos of the Club has remained the same, to support our members throughout the building of their cars, and to encourage ownership of kit cars in general. Unlike some other clubs, we do not discriminate against other marquees of car, and believe that being a 'Hoody' is a state of mind and attitude, not which car you drive.
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In 2005 the Club, with the backing of the members, donated £1000.00 from its funds to the Asian Tsunami appeal. The following year, after one of our members was struck by tragic circumstances, it was decided to adopt the Rainbows Children's Hospice as our charity of choice. To support them a calendar, featuring members cars, was produced and made available to members for a donation. This resulted in £2500.00 being raised. The calendar was produced again in 2007 and 2008, raising £3480.00 and £1520.00 respectively.
Following a break last year, one of our members has suggested that we once again become involved in fund raising for a deserving cause. It has been decided to raise as much as we can for the Air Ambulance Association, and for any money raised to be distributed equally amongst the nineteen individual trusts within the Association. Our efforts will centre around 'Hoody the Bear', who will be travelling the country, visiting each and every county, along with other special events, locations and people. Hoody will travel in cars built and owned by Club members, and will have with him a journal for friends old and new to sign along the way. Hoody Bear's Great Adventure will start at the National Kit Car show at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Sunday 2nd May 2010, and conclude twelve months later at the same location. Hoody has his own website, 'hoodythebear.co.uk', where as well as following his progress, you use the links to donate online and also learn more about the Air Ambulance Association, or you can become a member of Hoody's group on his Facebook page, and follow him there.
For more information about Hoody Bears Great Adventure contact:
Phil Shelton - email phil@philshelton.co.uk Tel 0116 2811437 / 07968484740
For more information about RHOCaR contact:
Steve Johnston - email - steve@rhocar.org Tel - 0161 484 2198 / 07944 615999 or visit www.rhocar.org |
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Mayor John Leighton sadly loses his fight against cancer
Everyone at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal would like to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Councillor John Leighton, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Councillor Leighton was elected Mayor of Devizes for 2009/10 and nominated the WAAA as one of his mayoral charities, along with Kats & Kits and Dorothy House.
Being a keen supporter of the work of the Air Ambulance Councillor Leighton was happy to open the Devizes Air Ambulance charity shop on Sidmouth Street back in May last year, early into his tenure as Devizes Town Mayor. He even offered to volunteer in the shop in his spare time. It was his wish that he could see out his term as Mayor of Devizes and be present at his Mayoral Ball, but sadly that wasn't to be.
Councillor Leighton will be sadly missed by everyone at the Appeal, but we would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who supported him in his fund raising efforts on behalf of his charities. |
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Paramedic Andy Newman honoured for 20 years dedicated service!
Jessica Burston, Interim Locality Director for Wiltshire, was delighted to present Andy Newman, Paramedic with the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, with his Queen’s Medal acknowledging twenty-years of frontline operational service.
Andy started with Wiltshire Ambulance Service in Oct 1988, after 6.5 years with the Post Office, hence his nickname of ‘Pat.' He qualified as a Paramedic in early 1992 and shortly after commenced assisting the training staff at the Southern Ambulance Training College, training new ambulance staff. In 1996 he qualified as an Instructor following completion of an Ambulance Aid Instructors Course at Ladybridge Hall, Bolton. During the next 8 years Andy divided his time between working operationally out of Devizes Ambulance Station and the Training Department, where he taught both new recruits, trainee Paramedics, and various other courses to the general public as well as health care professionals.
2004 was a busy year for Andy as he commenced studying for his Degree in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care at Oxford Brookes, along with commencing his training at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. After participating in a 3 week Air Observers Course at Filton, Andy successfully became one of the crew members on the helicopter.
Andy completed his Degree in September 2009, obtaining a BSc (Hons). He is currently studying for a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Greenwich via Salisbury College.
Andy lives in Melksham and what little free time he has is devoted to painstakingly renovating his 19th century home.
Everyone at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal would like to congratulate Andy, and thank him for all of the support that he has provided to the Appeal over the years. |
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Saucy calendar season for Seend and Steeple Ashton girls and Marlborough RSPCA inspector
Article courtesy of Katie Adams - Gazette and Herald
Horse rider Laura Jackson from Seend will be among keen horsewomen and men featured in a risqué calendar to raise money for the ambulance service that saved the life of one of them.
The Foxyhunters calendar, which was the idea of Trowbridge based photographer David Betteridge, will be sold in local stores as well as online and will raise money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Hampshire and Isle of White Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK.
The models included Trowbridge police PCSO Maria Badder who was left with life threatening injuries at a team chase event in Newbury in April when the horse she was riding refused a jump.
She was flown to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford by the Hampshire and IOW air ambulance with multiple injuries from which she is still recovering.
Miss Jackson, 31, who runs an extended schools programme at St Georges Primary school in Semington and is a reading mentor at Kings Park primary in Melksham said: "We had already started the process of making it when Maria had her accident and had to use the services of one of the charities we are supporting."
Ten RSPCA inspectors and collection officers from the South West have also stripped off for a charity calendar. The calendar features Inspector Will Hendry from Wiltshire, whose patch includes Marlborough, as Mr November.
The calendar was the idea of Chief Inspector John Pollock, based in Taunton.
To order a calendar please visit www.foxyhunters.co.uk |
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CHILDREN'S AIR AMBULANCE
We have been made aware by our supporters and the police that canvassers from the Children's Air Ambulance have been calling on homes in our area. Whilst we accept competition from other charities, and acknowledge that the Children's Air Ambulance is a registered charity, we wish to draw attention to our supporters the following points:-
The Children's Air Ambulance is in no way connected to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal.
The Children's Air Ambulance (Registered Charity Number 1111780) was registered in October 2005.
Accounts were filed for the period ended 31st August 2006. These accounts showed income of c. £47,000 with costs of c. £49,000. The main cost to the charity was Consultant's fees of £42,000.
It has intimated that the Children's Air Ambulance already operate a helicopter - we are unaware that they have access to, or have ever used funds to operate, a helicopter.
A supporter of the East Anglian Air Ambulance reported that a canvasser for the Children's Air Ambulance gave the example of transporting a patient from Scotland to London as a benefit supplied by the Children's Air Ambulance. In reality such a journey would be more likely by fixed wing aircraft than by helicopter. When challenged on this point, the canvasser claimed that their aircraft had a top speed of 300 miles per hour - no civilian helicopter can reach such a speed (the top cruising speed of our helicopters is around 155 mph).
The Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal accepts that people are free to donate to any Charity they wish. We do, however, wish to make clear that the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal is in no way connected to the Children's Air Ambulance. |
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Volunteers Jan and Pat
are just setting out the cards |
Corsham’s charity card scheme
Anyone looking to support a charity this Christmas can do so when they buy from a range of cards at the Corsham Tourist Information and Heritage Centre in the High Street.
Last year the Centre raised over £11,000 for National and Local Charities including Dorothy House and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance through sales of their cards and are hoping to generate even more funds this year.
The Cards for Good Causes range guarantees that a minimum of 75p out of every £1 goes to charity.
This year the Centre has agreed to donate 100% of the sales value of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance cards as a mark of respect to the late Councillor Roy Jackson who was an ardent supporter of the charity.
2009 is also the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Group of Charities celebrating fifty years of charity co-operation. The range, covering more than 25 charities, is available from Friday 2nd October and the volunteers in the shop will be giving up even more of their time in the run-up to Christmas.
Cheryl Gibbs, joint manager at the centre, said “Many of our volunteers support these charities themselves and by giving extra help they can see the benefit of the funds raised.”
Look out for the red triangular Santa sign! |
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The Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal is delighted to announce that HRH The Duchess Of Cornwall has agreed to become the first Royal Patron of the Charity
On September 10th, at a small private reception held at Clarence House, Appeal Co-ordinator Melanie Gee and Clinical Team Leader Richard Miller met with Her Royal Highness and expressed their thanks for her continued support of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Melanie Gee said, ‘We are all absolutely delighted that Her Royal Highness has agreed to become our first Patron and are very much looking forward to working with The Duchess in the future. We are so very grateful for her continued support and certainly feel that Her Royal Highness's efforts will greatly benefit the work of the charity.’
In November 2008, Her Royal Highness paid the Air Operations Unit in Devizes a visit and thanked all of the Crew members for the wonderful work that they do on a daily basis. The Duchess was particularly pleased to be able to meet a number of past patients who had been attended to by the Air Ambulance, as well as volunteers and donors. It was during that visit that Her Royal Highness was given a tour of the helicopter and became better informed about the work performed by the team. Her Royal Highness expressed a very keen interest in the Charity and even purchased two Dexter Bears for her grand children.
At the reception on September 10th, The Duchess Of Cornwall, in her new role as Patron, was delighted to be able to draw the first 5 winning tickets for the new Wiltshire Air Ambulance Lottery. The Lottery will now commence every week hereafter and all winners will be announced on the Wiltshire Air Ambulance website.
Also in attendance at the reception were Tony FitzSimons, Chairman, Great Western Ambulance Service, Graham Saunders, Wiltshire Police Unit Executive Office, Robert Lindup, PAS Pilot, Peter Defeo, Long-term Volunteer for the WAAA, Simon Mulvaney and Julian Naylor from Tower Lottery Systems. |
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Man's Best friend!
Martin Arris, of Pewsey, suffered a massive heart attack whilst working on his barge late into the night, back in April of this year. He was unable to speak and could barely move but somehow managed to crawl to his mobile phone and dial 999. The Police had to track Martin's location from his mobile phone signal, as he was unable to tell the Communications Team where he was.
When the Great Western Ambulance Service ground crew reached Martin his faithful dog was sitting on his chest, barking and growling, and wouldn't allow anyone near him. The Police Officer's at the scene managed to grab the dog away from Martin so that the Paramedics could provide the urgent medical attention that he needed. They then managed to get him off the barge and into the ground ambulance whilst they waited for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance to arrive. The helicopter landed nearby, and was a necessary service due to the rural location of the barge. The air crew then assisted the ground ambulance crew in successfully resuscitating Martin before he was flown to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, where he was admitted for 10 days.
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Martin is now well on the road to recovery but is no longer allowed to work or live on his barge, due to his heart condition and the rural location. Martin said, 'if it wasn't for the wonderful work of all the emergency services that night I wouldn't be here today. I am just so grateful that the air ambulance could get to me at that time of night and managed to get me to hospital so quickly. I can't thank them enough.'
Martin also added, 'my dog goes everywhere with me and never leaves my side. He must have been so frightened that night and if it hadn't been for the quick actions of the Police Officers, then I doubt they would have been able to get anywhere near me. My dog hasn't left my side ever since!'
The crew on board the aircraft that night were Andy Newman, Paramedic, Kev Reed, Police Observer, and Richard Brocklehurst, Pilot.
Martin is now planning to organise an Opera Concert in October to raise funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. |
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Dot
& the Girls at the Westbury Charity Shop do
it again!
Dot Whitehead and her team of volunteers have once again managed to amaze us
all.
We were all shocked when we received yet another
generous donation from the ladies at the Wiltshire
Air Ambulance Westbury Charity Shop, which bought
their total raised in the last 10 years to £1.2m!
Dot couldn’t believe it when we told her
and said, ‘I never thought all those years
ago that we’d still be here, yet alone raise
£1.2m. The shop had been closed for a number
of years and when we first took over the lease
there was an awful lot of work to be done. Everyone
mucked in and we managed to open two weeks later.
I couldn’t have done it without all of my
wonderful volunteers, and my husband who has always
been a great support to me.’
Dot, now 78, has dedicated the past 35 years
to Charity work after her Doctor suggested she
start, as a form of convalescence, after she suffered
a nervous breakdown. She hasn’t look back
since and claims that it is her charity work that
keeps her going.
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Appeal Administrator, Melanie Gee, said, ‘When
you visit the Westbury Charity Shop there is a ‘buzz’
that you just don’t find in most charity shops
today. It has become the hub of the community and the
constant supply of banter is all part of the fun. You’d
be amazed what you can find hidden in that shop –
it is like an Aladdin’s Cave!’
‘Everyone at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal
are extremely grateful to Dot and the ladies who help
her for all of their efforts over the past 10 years.
Without the Westbury Charity Shop doing what they do
on a daily basis, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance would
most definitely not be in existence today.’
Dot is always in need of volunteers to help out in
the shop, and welcomes all of your donations, no matter
how small. If you can offer your assistance in anyway
then please call Dot at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Westbury Charity Shop on 01373 822318.
Charity in a spin over Sainsbury's snub!
Saturday 30th May, 2009
Gazette and Herald
By Ben Perrin
THE Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal has suffered a blow
to its funding campaign after a company was told to
remove fundraising clothing banks from two Sainsbury's
stores in Swindon.
Devizes Textiles, which forked out £1,000 to
buy, set-up and market each of the textile banks, said
the supermarket’s decision was a kick in the teeth.
The Oxford Road store in Stratton has a textile bank
dedicated to collecting, while the Bridgemead supermarket
is aimed at generating funds for the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy
Pool. Sainsbury's have requested the removal of the
banks from Sainsbury’s stores all over Wiltshire
on Thursday.
Melanie Gee, the administrator of the Air Ambulance Appeal. said: “Their preferred suppliers, namely Oxfam and Salvation Army, feel that our banks are detrimental to the interests of their charities.
“Both Danny Williamson, a partner of Devizes Textiles, and myself wrote to Sainsbury’s requesting that they re-consider their decision but they are flatly refusing. “This is so disappointing to the Appeal, especially as we have spent a lot of time and money getting the approval from Sainsbury’s to place the banks at their stores in Swindon, Melksham, Calne and Devizes.
“We are now having to go to great expense to remove our textile banks which will ultimately result in a loss of income for our charity as well.”
Devizes Textiles grade all types of good quality used clothing, shoes, textile reclamation materials and industrial wiping cloths at its factory – employing 21 workers in the process.
It then process it and sells it onto second hand clothing businesses in Africa. One hundred per cent of the value of the raw materials goes back to charity.
It has worked with the air ambulance since December last year and had expected to raise at least £10,000 every 12 months.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance paramedic Bruce Jarvis, 47, who has been part of the unit for the last nine years, is equally shocked by the decision. “We don’t get individual funding from the government, so we rely on funding like this,” he said. “It’s a bit disappointing.”
The Air Ambulance requires more than £500,000 worth of funding a year to keep operating.
A Sainsbury’s spokesman, said: “We recently undertook a review of the many recycling facilities available at our stores. “One issue identified through this process was the presence of unauthorised textile recycling banks on our sites, alongside those that had been given permission by Sainsbury’s.
“We have in place existing agreements with Oxfam and the Salvation Army, who pour 100 per cent of the revenue generated into charitable projects. “As such, we are now in the process of trying to rationalise our sites to provide a clear and consistent method of collection that can make a bigger difference to the work undertaken by the charities both locally and internationally.”
If you are business or supermarket who can accommodate a textile banks, please call Devizes Textiles on 01380 724451 or contact Melanie at the WAA Appeal on 0845 122 1423. |
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Western Daily Press becomes WAA Official Sponsor
As the Wiltshire Air Ambulance prepares for its 20th anniversary, the Western Daily Press is pleased to become one of it’s official supporters.
The air ambulance is one of the most celebrated ‘workhorses of the sky’ in the country as it not only flies during daylight but also at night.
Over the past two decades the flying ambulance has saved hundreds of lives and ferried thousands of injured people to hospital.
As a joint initiative with the police, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance enjoys extra privileges, such as having permission to fly low and land in smaller spaces.
Western Daily Press editor Andy Wright felt it was time to join hundreds of Wiltshire residents who regularly support the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal.
“We regularly run stories about how the Wiltshire Air Ambulance has helped people,” he said. “People who are so thankful for the work they do, they choose to raise thousands of pounds to help keep the life-saving helicopter flying.
“I’m frequently getting letters from readers supporting the appeal and felt it was time we, the Western Daily Press, added to that vital support network and publicly backed such a worthy cause.”
The decision has been welcomed by appeal organisers who need to raise more than half a million pounds a year to keep to their part of an agreement with Wiltshire Police, who fund the rest.
Melanie Gee, Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal co-ordinator, said: “The funds needed every year to keep the helicopter in the skies of Wiltshire are in excess of £500,000, but this year an additional £220,000 is required to upgrade the thermal imaging camera equipment on-board.
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“We are all delighted that a paper such as the WDP is able to assist us and hopefully raise awareness about the Appeal.
“We would also like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years with their most generous donations. Without you we are grounded!” The idea for Wiltshire Air Ambulance came about in the late 80s when police borrowed a helicopter to monitor summer gatherings at Stone Henge.
They found the craft was not only useful as an aid to crowd control, but was vital when taking injured parties to hospital.
Wiltshire Police decided a helicopter, which could also be used as an ambulance would be a worthy addition to its resources and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance was born.
It is one of two air ambulances in the country which are shared with the police. This allows it to fly at night and has a host of other benefits.
Ms Gee said the set up was one which served the people of Wiltshire well. She also said the ambulance was often used to help people in neighbouring counties, including Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset.
Over the past 20 years, the ambulance has attended thousands of incidents, the majority of which are road traffic collisions. It has saved hundreds of lives in its capacity as an ambulance and has taken thousands of people to specialist hospitals where they received vital treatment and went on to make good recoveries. |
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Devizes to get it’s very own Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal Shop!
Mandy Woods is to open the second Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity shop in Sidmouth Street, Devizes, on Wednesday May 13th.
Mandy, whose partner is PC Charlie Spedding, a police observer on the helicopter, said: “Last year when there was a threat of us possibly losing the Helicopter I realised the only thing that we didn’t have in Devizes was a shop to support the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. The Air Ambulance is so vital and I knew that by opening a charity shop I would be able to help try and support the Appeal, and raise the much needed funds.”
Mandy lives in Devizes and has 20 years management experience in the hotel and pub industry. She is really hoping that, with the support of the residents of Devizes, the shop will generate much interest in the work of the Helicopter, and raise awareness about the Appeal. The shop will sell clothes, shoes, bric a brac and toys and will be open Monday to Saturday. Mandy will also be a retail outlet for the WAAA merchandise and Christmas cards, as seen on our website.
Congratulations Mandy and THANK YOU for all of your hard work and enthusiasm over the past few months. Your efforts are much appreciated by everyone at the Appeal.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to help in the shop should contact Melanie Gee on 0845 122 1423. |
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Throughout the month of May 2009, Hallmark Photography will be offering clients the opportunity to book a studio
portrait session for only £10
(normal price £30)
when quoting the reference: AM01.
All proceeds from these session fees will be donated to Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
Please telephone the studio on (01249) 816707 for full details or to book your session.
Why not use this opportunity to update those family photographs,
celebrate a special occasion or record a particular moment in your life
www.hallmarkphotography.co.uk
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Farewell to our Chief Pilot
The Wiltshire Police Helicopter / Air Ambulance say farewell to Chief Pilot Richard Brocklehurst, after 20 years of dedicated service.
Richard retired on 4th March 09 having spent 20 years flying the Wiltshire Police Helicopter. Employed by Police Aviation Services, Richard was one of the key players when the service was first launched back in 1989.
Richard trained as a Royal Marines Commando and spent his entire working life dedicated to public service. He was responsible for assisting in the launch of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in April 1990, and has been an avid campaigner to keep the helicopter flying ever since.
‘We will all be very sad to see him go. He was an incredible asset to the team and will be greatly missed,’ said Graham Saunders, Air Operations Chief Executive Officer.
Richard plans to spend part of his retirement working on his house and gardens at Ringwood, Hampshire with his wife Christine, but will also be working part-time for Police Aviation Services as a Helicopter Consultant.
Richard is to be replaced by Pilot George Lawrence, who has now been flying on the Wilshire Police Helicopter for nearly 8 years.
All the best Richard and our congratulations go to George! |
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How I tracked clothes thieves
Danny Williamson at one of his banks
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A TRACKING device concealed in a bag of donated clothing led police to make arrests after clothes were stolen from a Wiltshire Air Ambulance clothing bank.
A number of clothing banks for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal were established in the county a few months ago by Devizes Textiles owner Danny Williamson.
He donates what he pays for the donated clothes, shoes, bags and belts to the appeal and then sells the clothes on, mainly to African countries.
Mr Williamson and his staff became suspicious after finding some of the air ambulance clothing banks empty.
He put a £200 GPS tracking device into some clothes that were put into the air ambulance clothing bank at Sainsbury’s in Bath Road, Melksham, earlier this month.
When the clothes were taken from the bank the tracking device showed on Mr Williamson’s computer where the suspected thieves’ vehicle went and he called the police. The vehicle was tracked through Wiltshire into Gloucester and four men were arrested.
Mr Williamson, whose firm is based on the Garden Trading Estate in Devizes, said: “I was so disgusted that someone was stealing clothes from us and the charity that I put the tracker device in the clothing bank.”
Mr Williamson collected clothing recovered by Gloucestershire police this week which amounted to about two tonnes.
There are currently 11 Wiltshire Air Ambulance clothing banks in the county and Mr Williamson said he would use tracker devices randomly in them and was in the process of changing the locks on the banks.
Melanie Gee, administrator at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, said: “We are horrified that anyone would steal from our charity but thankful to Mr Williamson for his initiative.”
The appeal needs to raise £500,000 a year to keep the Wiltshire Air Ambulance flying.
A Wiltshire police spokesman said four men, aged 23, 27, 29 and 30, all from Gloucester, were arrested by Gloucestershire Police on March 5 on suspicion of theft. They were released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Thursday 19th March 2009
Courtesy of Jill Crooks – Gazette & Herald |
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Rob’s Ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats
Rob Dentry paid a visit to the Air Operations Unit in Devizes yesterday, and met some of the crew members of the Wiltshire Police / Air Ambulance Helicopter. Rob, a PCSO with the Wiltshire Police, is riding from Land’s End to John O’Groats in May this year, to raise money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal.
Sadly, on February 1st 2008, Rob’s dear friend and mentor, John Meyer, 59, was killed whilst riding his bike. John had encouraged Rob to start riding a few years ago and they had agreed that they would ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats once John had retired. Unfortunately that day never came but Rob has decided to do the ride in John’s memory, and to help raise the much needed funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal.
Rob, who lives in Swindon, will be commencing the gruelling 1000 mile ride in May with his friend Peter Skelton, and we will hopefully be tracking their progress along the way.
If you would like to support Rob in any way then visit his sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/robertdentry or contact the WAA Appeal Office on 0845 122 1423.
For daily updates on Rob and Pete’s ride visit www.donatemytime.org.uk
Best of Luck Rob and Peter, and thanks for all of your efforts on behalf of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal! |
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The High Sherriff of Gloucestershire,
Mr Brian Thornton, Richard Miller, and
Mr Anthony Marsh, GWAS CEO
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Richard Miller , CTL, Honoured for his Dedication
Richard Miller, WAA Clinical Team Leader, received a Chief Officer Commendation Award for his dedication to service and commitment above and beyond the call of duty, from Anthony Marsh, the Interim Chief Executive of the Great Western Ambulance Service, at an Awards Ceremony on February 24th, 2009.
Richard joined the Wiltshire Ambulance Service back in 1990 and worked in the Ambulance Control Room for 5 years. From there he trained as an Ambulance Technician and was based at Malmesbury Ambulance Station, and after about 18 Months trained to become a Paramedic. He joined the Air Ambulance in 2003 and became the Clinical Team Leader of the Air Support Unit in August 2004.
Richard was nominated for the award by his colleagues who work with him on the WAAA as they felt this was a good opportunity for him to be recognised for his professionalism, dedication, and tenacity. The past year has been a tenuous one, yet despite uncertain times Richard remained steadfast in his determination to promote the WAAA in the best possible way and ensure that his Team always operated in the most professional and efficient way possible.
Richard, who grew up in Wiltshire said: “I feel very passionate about the Appeal. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the people of Wiltshire. It is so rewarding to be able to save someone’s life and then meet them a few months later, knowing that without the Air Ambulance they wouldn’t be alive.
I feel slightly embarrassed although honoured to receive the award. I really just feel that I am doing my job, a job which I love.”
Everyone at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance would like to say ‘Congratulations Richard, this Award is well deserved. Thank you for all that you do to help towards keeping the helicopter in the Wiltshire skies!’ |
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SIMON GETS ON HIS BIKE FOR THE WILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE
Click to sponsor Simon at www.justgiving.com/simonjacobs4waa
Simon Jacobs, 45, from Worton, Devizes is getting on his bike again for charity this year. Simon completed the Help for Heroes ride last year when he cycled 365 miles through France and raised £6,000. This year he’s stepping up the challenge and taking part in the London-Edinburgh-London ride starting on the 26th July – 875 miles to be finished in 118 hours (just under 5 days) which is just under 200 miles a day!! This time he will be raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal and hopes to raise at least £10,000.
“The Wiltshire Air Ambulance rescued my wife last year after she was hit in the face by a horned sheep, and it brought home to us very dramatically, how important this service is and how lucky we were that it was available to us. Lisa had a suspected fractured skull and was losing consciousness and our three children were all there, so I was extremely grateful for their speed and professionalism in getting her to hospital. I think she was very glad that she didn’t have a 50 minute road trip too! The Air Ambulance is totally funded by donations from the public so this is a really good way for me to say thank you to them and hopefully will enable me to present them with a nice fat cheque!” |
Simon will be doing the ride on his Moulton bike – the highly engineered, single pylon, small wheeled bike made in Bradford-on-Avon. Shaun Moulton, MD of the company, will be joining Simon on the ride and the two of them are already in training around Wiltshire and beyond and will be putting in many hours over the next couple of months building their endurance.
“We’re quietly confident that we’ll make the distance – although there is still a lot of training to do!”
“I did the Help for Heroes ride on this bike and it is an amazing machine - the independent suspension means the bike is extremely comfortable and ideal for endurance rides – and because of the small wheels it’s very quick uphill too! It’s great to be doing this challenge for a Wiltshire-based charity on a Wiltshire–made bike.”
Please help Simon with his challenge by going
to the JustGiving website and making a donation – it
can be done online and is extremely straight forward.
All donations, no matter how small, will be gratefully received
and you can go back to the site as often as you like to keep
track of Simon’s progress through his training and the
event itself.
Corporate
Sponsors
Our sincere thanks go to the following companies who have
sponsored Simon and supported the Appeal:
Gaigers Brothers Ltd of Devizes
Brackstone Building Contractors
J & H Bodman Ltd
The Emporium, Devizes
Mike Wood Tyres Ltd
A Class Luxury Motorhome Hire of Swindon
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GREAT WESTERN AMBULANCE RENEWS AIR AMBULANCE CONTRACT
Great Western Ambulance Service has now signed a contract with Wiltshire Police to provide air ambulance cover for the patients of Wiltshire. The contract extends the current service for five years.
Click here for further details
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PLEASE SUPPORT THE AIR AMBULANCE APPEAL!
Concept Staffing, one of the leading providers of permanent and temporary recruitment in the South West, is proud to support the up-keeping of this vital service and invite you to join them in raising much-needed funds.
On 7th February 2009 Lisa-Marie Duffy, Senior Consultant at their Chippenham Branch will be cooking a sponsored breakfast for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Crew and would appreciate any donations to make this a successful event.
Click here for further details |
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FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2008
The Wiltshire Air Ambulance is delighted to be able announce a visit by The Duchess of Cornwall to the Air Support Unit in Devizes. HRH will meet members of the Crew and attend a private reception to meet supporters, volunteers and fundraisers of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. We are thrilled that HRH is visiting and very much looking forward to meeting her.
Click here to view some of the photos from the day |
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A Dressage Competition organised by Julie Blackburn has resulted in £500 being raised for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal. The event took place at Gate Farm, Stanley Lane, Chippenham earlier this year, and Janet Robinson, a local advanced/medium rider from Dauntsey judged the competition. £104 was raised by the children that entered the competition, and £96 was donated by Mr Tony Crew, the owner of Land.
Mr Crew will also be donating an addition £300, money raised as a result of the field being rented for numerous events throughout the year. Mr Crew has developed a high professional regard for the work done by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and understands the necessity of an Air Ambulance in a rural farming community. Commenting on the fund raising event he said, "The Wiltshire Air Ambulance is of immense value to the farming community of this county. It is a privilege to devote a little time to raising money in support of such a worthy cause."
In the photograph are Julie Blackburn, Tony Crew, and Paramedic Andy Newman receiving the Cheque. |
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