Beeline: Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Magazine, Spring 2016
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Magazine, Spring 2016
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Magazine, Spring 2016
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FEATURE<br />
eeline<br />
Registered Charity<br />
1078685<br />
The Official <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
1<br />
We help save lives, one day it could be yours<br />
<strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2016</strong> | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
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foreword<br />
Welcome<br />
ooking out of my office on a very<br />
L<br />
wet February morning, it’s hard to<br />
believe that spring is just around<br />
the corner. Mind you, with so much to look<br />
forward to this year, the months will soon<br />
fly by and we are frantically ticking off our<br />
list of ‘things to do’. Roger Morgan, our new<br />
Chairman of Trustees, makes a very good point<br />
of listing some of these in his piece on page 8.<br />
As well as the normal hustle and bustle of<br />
any year in the life of <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong>, this year we have an incredible<br />
range of things happening that will have a<br />
huge positive impact on all our beneficiaries.<br />
A doctor and paramedic critical care team on<br />
all our shifts, a major upgrade to our hangar,<br />
to include a clinical training facility and, of<br />
course, the new helicopter.<br />
All this needs money and thanks to the<br />
generosity of the people of <strong>Dorset</strong> and<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong>, we will be able to go on improving<br />
and delivering an air ambulance service of<br />
which we can all be proud.<br />
Sadly, this year, we have seen some quite<br />
shocking fundraising activities on the part of<br />
some very well-known charities and I felt that<br />
I might take this opportunity to set the record<br />
straight with regard to our own fundraising.<br />
Firstly you should know that we have never<br />
purchased lists of potential donors and that<br />
personal information you share with us is only<br />
used by us for accounting purposes, to thank<br />
donors and to keep our supporters up to date<br />
with how their donations are helping to make<br />
a difference. We do not send letters to existing<br />
donors asking them to contribute more and we<br />
will cease all correspondence with supporters<br />
the minute it is requested.<br />
We have reviewed all our fundraising<br />
activities to ensure that we continue to<br />
treat our donors with absolute respect and<br />
that we conform to the highest standards of<br />
fundraising behaviour.<br />
We currently have more than 82,000<br />
members of our Flight for Life Lottery, which<br />
represents a significant proportion of the<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> population and makes us<br />
one of the most successful society lotteries in<br />
the country. However, with members dropping<br />
out every week (moving away, financial<br />
difficulties and passing away) we must keep<br />
canvassing for new members to replace them.<br />
This requires significant effort and we do<br />
it by a mixture of in-store and door-to-door<br />
canvassing. All our canvassers wear easily<br />
identifiable clothing and carry identification,<br />
however, we do not believe that current<br />
national guidance goes quite far enough and<br />
now apply our own standards to the way in<br />
which our canvassers work.<br />
We are particularly conscious of vulnerable<br />
adults in all our communities who might<br />
unwittingly give their consent to payments<br />
they cannot really afford. To that end, we have<br />
committed to avoid any canvassing in sheltered<br />
communities and our canvassers have recently<br />
undergone training as ‘Dementia Friends’.<br />
Read more about this on page 14.<br />
We have been so pleased with this approach<br />
that we are planning to extend this training<br />
to include all our fundraising staff and<br />
volunteers. As well as being known for our<br />
clinical excellence, we also want to be known<br />
as leaders when it comes to fundraising<br />
standards. We think it’s the least you deserve.<br />
All that remains is for me to say that I hope<br />
you enjoy this issue of <strong>Beeline</strong>. As you have<br />
come to expect, it has articles covering a huge<br />
range of topics. Some you will find informative,<br />
others you might find inspirational.<br />
If you have had personal experience of the<br />
air ambulance as a patient, I hope that it will<br />
encourage you to share your story so that we<br />
can share it with others. Please also get in<br />
touch if you have any ideas for possible articles<br />
to include in the future.<br />
We look forward to hearing from you.<br />
Bill Sivewright<br />
Chief Executive,<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Published by:<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> & <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>,<br />
Landacre House, Castle Road,<br />
Chelston Business Park,<br />
Wellington, <strong>Somerset</strong>, TA21 9JQ.<br />
Tel: +44 (0) 1823 669604<br />
Email: info@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
www.dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
Registered Charity Number: 1078685<br />
Editor: Tracy Bartram<br />
Assistant editor: Lara Lucas<br />
Designer: Anthony Collins<br />
Production editor: Claire Manuel<br />
Front cover: Michelle Walker<br />
© <strong>2016</strong>. The entire contents of this publication are<br />
protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part<br />
of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a<br />
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by<br />
any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying,<br />
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission<br />
of the <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
(DSAA). The reproduction of advertisements in this<br />
publication does not in any way imply endorsement<br />
by DSAA of products or services referred to therein.<br />
BAMBOO HOUSE<br />
PUBLISHING<br />
For advertising queries, please contact<br />
Bamboo House Publishing Ltd<br />
Tel: +44 (0)1225 331023<br />
www.bamboohouse.co.uk<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 3
CONTENTS<br />
Contents<br />
3 Welcome<br />
A letter from the Chief Executive<br />
12<br />
WHO WE ARE<br />
6 About us<br />
What we do and why we are needed<br />
7 Your helicopter heroes<br />
Pictures of our crew<br />
8 A word from the Trustees<br />
Welcome to our new Chairman of Trustees,<br />
Roger Morgan, and fond farewell to staff member<br />
Janet Gibbs<br />
8 Our mission, vision and values<br />
DSAA mission statement<br />
9 Profile<br />
Meet Dr Phil Hyde<br />
WHAT WE DO<br />
11 Statistics<br />
Essential facts and figures on the vital work<br />
of the air ambulance<br />
12 Clinical update<br />
We make the transition to providing pre-hospital<br />
critical care for 12 hours a day, seven days a week<br />
14 Your Dementia Friends<br />
We apply our own high standards when it<br />
comes to protecting vulnerable adults in the<br />
community, including training our team to become<br />
Dementia Friends<br />
15 News from the AAA<br />
The latest from the Association of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>s<br />
16 HSJ winners<br />
We were absolutely thrilled to come out winners at<br />
the 2015 Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards<br />
4 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
CONTENTS<br />
22<br />
17 Every little helps<br />
We rely purely on your generosity to fund us<br />
WHY WE DO IT<br />
18 “I am eternally grateful”<br />
Living high on a hill, in the town of Rousdon,<br />
Mike suffered a serious fall and needed our help<br />
20 Remote beach rescue<br />
Richard Wickham became ill while visiting<br />
Studland Bay. He needed to get to hospital<br />
quickly, but gaining access to his location was<br />
extremely difficult…<br />
21 “I wondered what was happening<br />
to me”<br />
A walk to Burrington Combe on the Mendip Hills<br />
didn’t quite go to plan for Mark and his family<br />
22 Sharing your story<br />
Has DSAA helped you or someone you know?<br />
LOTTERY<br />
25 Flight for Life Lottery<br />
The easiest and most sustainable way to keep<br />
us flying<br />
HOW PEOPLE HELP<br />
30 From end to end…<br />
Cycling the entire length of the UK is a challenge<br />
that thousands of people take on each year. We hear<br />
from those who have done it for DSAA<br />
32 An enduring gift<br />
We are very grateful for every legacy we receive,<br />
be it large or small. These are special gifts that<br />
help us secure the Charity’s future<br />
30<br />
33 Our volunteers<br />
We rely so much on our wonderful team of<br />
volunteers – their dedication to the Charity<br />
is amazing!<br />
34 Coast to Coast Challenge <strong>2016</strong><br />
Our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge takes place<br />
on Sunday 15 May <strong>2016</strong><br />
IN THE COMMUNITY<br />
36 In the community<br />
Fundraising stories from across the two counties<br />
HOW YOU CAN HELP<br />
43 Ways to support us<br />
There are many different ways you can help us<br />
44 Come and join in!<br />
As summer approaches, all fundraisers are welcome<br />
45 Business partnership<br />
opportunities<br />
Business partnerships are a great way of<br />
demonstrating your corporate social responsibility<br />
and motivating employees<br />
47 National <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> Week<br />
There are a number of ways you can get involved<br />
and help raise money for DSAA during this<br />
busy week<br />
49 Kids’ page<br />
How youngsters are helping us out<br />
50 Postbag<br />
A selection of readers’ letters<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 5
WHO WE ARE<br />
About us<br />
The <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> is YOUR service –<br />
provided for people in YOUR area – with YOUR support<br />
orset and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> is a<br />
D<br />
registered charity, established to provide<br />
relief from sickness and injury for the people<br />
of <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong>, by the provision of an air<br />
ambulance. We receive no direct funding from the<br />
Government or the National Lottery and rely entirely on<br />
the generosity of the public for support. Our operational<br />
costs are over £2 million a year.<br />
Operations<br />
Since our launch in 2000, we have flown more than<br />
11,000 missions. The average cost per mission is<br />
approximately £2,500.<br />
We are tasked as part of the normal ‘999’ emergency<br />
process by a dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical<br />
Service (HEMS) desk located at <strong>Ambulance</strong> Control and<br />
can attend up to eight or nine incidents in a single day<br />
during the summer months.<br />
Our airbase is situated at Henstridge <strong>Air</strong>field on the<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong>/<strong>Somerset</strong> border. From there, we can be at any point<br />
in the two counties in less than 20 minutes of receiving an<br />
emergency call. More importantly, the helicopter can then<br />
take a patient to any one of the Major Trauma Centres in<br />
the South West within a further 20 minutes.<br />
Pilots<br />
Our pilots are provided by Bond <strong>Air</strong> Services, who operate<br />
our aircraft. They are carefully selected because air<br />
ambulance flights are typically more challenging than<br />
regular non-emergency flight services. They will have<br />
a great deal of experience in low-level operations and<br />
instrument flying.<br />
Providing critical care<br />
Our Critical Care Paramedics are employed by the South<br />
Western <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).<br />
As well as being very highly qualified and experienced<br />
6 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
WHO WE ARE<br />
Your helicopter heroes<br />
paramedics, they are also trained to assist the pilot with<br />
navigation and the operation of some of the aircraft systems.<br />
The doctors are a mixture of senior emergency physicians,<br />
intensive care consultants and anesthetists from hospitals<br />
across our region. From April <strong>2016</strong>, our on-duty crew will<br />
consist of a pilot, one Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) and one<br />
doctor on shift at any one time.<br />
An exciting year ahead<br />
At the end of this year, we will be replacing our EC135<br />
helicopter with an AgustaWestland 169 (AW169).<br />
Operating a larger and more powerful aircraft and<br />
conducting operations at night will increase our cost of<br />
operations. However, we believe that the increased cost<br />
will be more than matched by the enhanced level of<br />
patient care that we will be delivering. We will also, soon,<br />
begin carrying blood on the aircraft for administering<br />
to patients who require it. This is a very significant<br />
development and has required a great deal of work and<br />
co-operation between a number of organisations. We will<br />
share all the details in due course.<br />
Recognition<br />
In 2013, the Charity sponsored a three-year<br />
post-graduate education programme for our paramedics.<br />
This innovative project has received much recognition<br />
and was awarded top prize at the 2015 HSJ Awards<br />
in the ‘Improving Outcomes through Learning and<br />
Development’ category. Read more on page 16.<br />
The <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> team. Left to right from top:<br />
Pilots Max Hoskins and Phil Merritt Clinical Support Officer Paul Owen and<br />
Critical Care Paramedics Leonie German, Claire Baker, Michelle Walker, Mark<br />
Williams and Neil Bizzell Doctors Tony Doyle, Jeremy Reid, Farhad Islam (Izzy),<br />
Rob Torok, Ian Mew, Phil Hyde and Dave Martin<br />
Code of conduct<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> is a member of the Association of <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong>s (AAA). Members are governed by a code of conduct requiring<br />
air ambulances to meet the standards set by UK regulators for medical<br />
care, aviation practices and fundraising activity. We are also a member of<br />
the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB), which means that we adhere to<br />
best practice, honesty, transparency, clarity and accountability in all our<br />
fundraising activity.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 7
WHO WE ARE<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Our mission, vision<br />
and values<br />
A word from the<br />
Trustees<br />
<strong>2016</strong> promises to be a busy and exciting time for <strong>Dorset</strong><br />
and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> as a number of projects<br />
come to fruition in a relatively short space of time.<br />
In April, we move to having a doctor on board our<br />
helicopter, seven days a week. This is both financially<br />
and clinically challenging, however, evidence from those<br />
already using this model shows that it is absolutely the<br />
right decision to make. This improvement has been<br />
underpinned by our paramedic team continuing their<br />
studies to ensure they are fully qualified to deliver the<br />
highest level of critical care. To undertake these studies is<br />
no mean achievement and it is wonderful that their hard<br />
work was rightly recognised at the 2015 HSJ Awards. The<br />
Trustees are thrilled that they have been acknowledged<br />
in this way and congratulate them all.<br />
Our new helicopter will arrive later this year. It has<br />
been fantastic to be able to research and select the best<br />
aircraft that we believe will serve our requirements,<br />
knowing that we have sufficient funds to do so. This<br />
is thanks to the wonderful support that the Charity<br />
receives and I personally thank everyone for their<br />
continued support.<br />
Simon Michell stood down from the Board of Trustees<br />
after a nine-year period at our December meeting. He had<br />
been Chairman of the Board for the last three years and<br />
his commitment and leadership throughout this period<br />
has been outstanding. Simon has been instrumental in<br />
the Charity’s development over the years and we thank<br />
him for his service.<br />
I am delighted to have been asked to take on the role<br />
of Chair and look forward to working with the executive<br />
and clinical team during this very exciting year ahead.<br />
ROGER MORGAN, Chairman of Trustees<br />
Roger Morgan<br />
(above) is DSAA’s<br />
new Chairman<br />
of Trustees<br />
OUR VISION<br />
To provide the maximum patient benefit<br />
by delivering the most effective, clinically<br />
excellent and financially secure air ambulance<br />
service in the South West Region.<br />
OUR MISSION<br />
To save and enhances lives through the funding<br />
and provision of a Helicopter Emergency<br />
Medical Service.<br />
OUR VALUES<br />
Teamwork<br />
<strong>Air</strong>crew, business partners, staff, trustees,<br />
volunteers, and the community – one team.<br />
Respect<br />
We treat everyone with the highest degree of<br />
dignity, equality and trust.<br />
Accountability<br />
We take responsibility for our performance in<br />
all of our decisions and actions.<br />
Integrity<br />
We demonstrate honesty and fairness in every<br />
action that we take.<br />
Innovation<br />
We anticipate change and capitalise on the<br />
many opportunities that arise.<br />
These values will be at the heart of every<br />
Charity decision and action.<br />
13 years of service<br />
Our best wishes go to Janet Gibbs, who has left<br />
the Charity after 13 years of service. Janet joined<br />
the Charity back in 2003 when our offices were<br />
located in a portakabin at Taunton <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Station. She continued to work part time in our<br />
administration department based at head office<br />
in Wellington. We wish her well for the future.<br />
8 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
WHO WE ARE<br />
Profile<br />
Dr Phil Hyde<br />
Actively involved in pre-hospital care since 2003, Phil has received a number<br />
of regional and national awards for inspirational leadership and teaching<br />
hil has been working with <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
P<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> since April 2013 and took over<br />
as our medical lead in January 2015. Phil is<br />
supporting our Critical Care Team operations and has<br />
guided the Charity’s extensive training and development<br />
programme.<br />
Actively involved in pre-hospital care since 2003,<br />
Phil has served as the national curriculum lead for the<br />
training of doctors in pre-hospital care for the last five<br />
years. He is currently Deputy Convener of National Exams<br />
within the pre-hospital care arena.<br />
Phil also works at Southampton Children’s Hospital<br />
as an intensive care consultant and led the children’s<br />
trauma service from 2011 to 2015. He has developed a<br />
range of team-based education courses for training NHS<br />
multi-professional staff to care for critically ill or injured<br />
adults and children, and continues to be active within<br />
this field.<br />
Phil has received a number of regional and national<br />
awards for inspirational leadership and teaching. In<br />
October he was announced ‘Inspiring Educator of the<br />
Year’ at the 2015 Shine Awards, organised by Health<br />
Education Wessex. This award recognises the people who<br />
mentor, supervise or train people ‘on the job’, helping<br />
and supporting the learning of students, trainees and<br />
colleagues. It is also awarded to those who are role<br />
models for their values and attitudes and recognises<br />
the part they play in educating the next generation and<br />
inspiring the current workforce.<br />
Phil spends his free time with his wife and two<br />
children and they enjoy climbing, walking, sailing and<br />
kayaking together.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 9
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what we do<br />
Facts<br />
The number of people who follow us on Facebook now<br />
More facts and statistics are available on<br />
exceeds 13,400. Please like and share our page and encourage<br />
our website: www.dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
others to follow us too! Simply search for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> and click ‘like’.<br />
facebook<br />
National <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Week takes place<br />
between Monday 19-Sunday<br />
25 September this year.<br />
Find out how you can get<br />
involved on page 47.<br />
Help us increase<br />
our Twitter<br />
following of 3,112. Visit<br />
@dsairambulance and<br />
don’t forget to tag us if<br />
you see our team.<br />
Our Flight for Life<br />
Lottery costs £1 a<br />
week to join and includes<br />
a Jackpot of £1,000.<br />
Join today by completing<br />
the direct debit form<br />
on page 28.<br />
saturday<br />
In the period<br />
July-December<br />
2015, our busiest<br />
day of the week was<br />
a Saturday. Seventy<br />
missions were flown<br />
during August,<br />
making this the<br />
busiest month over<br />
this six-month period.<br />
Since our<br />
formation, we<br />
have now flown more<br />
than 11,000 missions.<br />
Every mission we<br />
fly is the result of<br />
somebody suffering<br />
a potentially<br />
life-threatening<br />
injury or accident<br />
and it is not a number<br />
we celebrate.<br />
During the period July-December 2015 we flew a total of<br />
313 missions, of which 147 took place in <strong>Dorset</strong> and 146 in<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong>. The outstanding number took place on the border<br />
of our neighbouring counties.<br />
207<br />
There were 207 supporter-led events held in aid of<br />
the Charity between June and December 2015. This<br />
is 34 more than the same period the previous year.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 11
WHAT WE DO<br />
Clinical update<br />
The last six months have been another<br />
extremely busy time for the crew of<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
n April, we make the transition to providing<br />
I<br />
pre-hospital critical care for 12 hours a day,<br />
seven days a week. This means that our crew<br />
will consist of a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) and Critical<br />
Care Doctor, on duty, every single day.<br />
This is important news for the people of <strong>Dorset</strong> and<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong>, as while we have been providing pre-hospital<br />
critical care for a large proportion of our shifts, the<br />
public can now expect us to deliver drugs including<br />
pre-hospital anaesthetics, perform surgical procedures<br />
and give organ support to critically ill patients, at the<br />
scene of an incident, on any given day.<br />
With the formation of this team comes the capability<br />
to provide more inter-hospital transfers and the<br />
administration of pre-hospital anesthesia to critically<br />
ill or injured patients that need it. Being able to do the<br />
latter means that our team can also deliver life-saving<br />
surgery or other critical care procedures at the scene of<br />
an incident before taking the patient to hospital.<br />
We have been working towards this for the last six<br />
months and between December 2015 and March <strong>2016</strong>,<br />
93.5 per cent of clinical shifts were covered in this way.<br />
Outside those shifts, the aircraft was manned by a team<br />
made up of two CCPs.<br />
Over the 2015 winter period, our team provided a<br />
12-hour service – 10 hours on the aircraft and the latter<br />
two hours (during darkness) via our Rapid Response<br />
Vehicle. The mode of transport obviously plays a key<br />
factor in us being able to reach patients as quickly as<br />
possible and our helicopter can cover an extremely<br />
large area in a very short time. However, what’s more<br />
important is that when the helicopter is not available,<br />
we still have the capability of bringing the Emergency<br />
Department to the patient.<br />
We have also been continuing our work with the<br />
Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) desk<br />
and with the South Western <strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS<br />
Foundation Trust (SWASFT) road crews, to ensure we<br />
are mobilised to patients that need us. In order to make<br />
the best use of our Critical Care Team, CCP Neil Bizzell<br />
has been leading an ‘outreach’ programme to provide<br />
knowledge on our capabilities to all involved.<br />
Claire Baker, Neil Bizzell, Phil Hyde, Ian Mew, Paul<br />
Owen and Michelle Walker have been providing teaching<br />
sessions to a variety of other SWASFT staff, clinicians<br />
12 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
WHAT WE DO<br />
Our team has been providing teaching<br />
sessions to a variety of SWASFT<br />
staff, clinicians and students<br />
and students within the paramedic, medical or nursing<br />
backgrounds and our whole team is now involved in<br />
regional or national teaching of clinical groups.<br />
All these activities are aimed at educating others about<br />
the skills we can provide. Exposing them to our training,<br />
taking part in simulated exercises with other service<br />
providers and teaching others the skills we have learnt<br />
plays an important part in the appropriate tasking of our<br />
aircraft and crew.<br />
Over the last six months our monthly training<br />
sessions have covered a range of topics, including<br />
the management of traumatic cardiac arrest in<br />
adults, children and pregnant ladies; blood product<br />
resuscitation; and head injury management. Most of<br />
these sessions have utilised our infant, child and adult<br />
manikins, which were purchased by the Charity.<br />
Other simulated training exercises with the<br />
Coastguard and Hazardous Area Response Team (HART)<br />
have improved inter-agency co-operation and enabled<br />
us to practise real-life scenarios and improvements in<br />
patient pathways.<br />
In December, our training was based at the<br />
Search and Rescue base in Portland and involved the<br />
land-based Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team, Search<br />
and Rescue and SWASFT. These sessions have proved<br />
extremely beneficial and the lessons learnt have already<br />
been used for treating real patients, demonstrating the<br />
importance of this integrated approach.<br />
It’s been an extremely productive and busy start to the<br />
year, with many more sessions planned for the coming<br />
months. Our thanks go to Owen Hammett for organising<br />
and facilitating these activities and to the Wessex Critical<br />
Care Programme (www.wessexccp.org), who provide<br />
support and technical help on all of the days.<br />
Training does much to keep skills up to scratch, but to<br />
keep clinicians up to date with current and developing<br />
best practice and the latest research, the team has<br />
formed a <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> Journal<br />
Inter-agency<br />
co-operation has<br />
been improved<br />
through simulated<br />
training exercises<br />
Club. This is led by David Martin and gives our<br />
team the opportunity to debate scientific and clinical<br />
journal articles and the implications they may have on<br />
our service.<br />
So, as you can see, making sure that our patients<br />
receive the best possible care requires dedication,<br />
commitment and enthusiasm from our whole clinical<br />
team. We thank them for being exceptional ambassadors<br />
for the Charity and look forward to providing you with<br />
further updates in the next edition of <strong>Beeline</strong>.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 13
WHAT WE DO<br />
Your Dementia Friends<br />
In his foreword, Bill Sivewright briefly mentioned the work we are doing<br />
to apply our own standards when it comes to vulnerable adults in the<br />
community. Below we explain more about the training of our team to<br />
become Dementia Friends<br />
uring January, our Lottery Canvassing Team<br />
D<br />
completed their Dementia Friend training.<br />
This friendly, knowledgeable group of<br />
individuals represent the Charity out and about at<br />
supermarket stores and call on people door-to-door, to<br />
promote and encourage people to join our ‘Flight for Life’<br />
weekly lottery.<br />
The aim of the training was not about receiving a<br />
qualification. Instead, its purpose was for our team to<br />
gain a better understanding of dementia, how to identify<br />
the common signs of someone suffering with the disease<br />
and the simple actions to take that will help. Given the<br />
nature of the canvasser’s role within the community,<br />
the training would also help them to identify vulnerable<br />
adults who might unwittingly give consent to payments<br />
they cannot really afford.<br />
Dementia is caused by a number of different diseases<br />
of the brain. The most common is Alzheimer’s but there<br />
are others including Dementia with Lewy Bodies and<br />
Pick’s Disease. Although more people over the age of 65<br />
suffer from dementia, it’s not a natural part of the ageing<br />
process as younger people can have dementia too.<br />
Dementia Friend<br />
training was<br />
so successful<br />
that we plan to<br />
extend it to all<br />
fundraising staff<br />
and volunteers<br />
The team learnt how it can be difficult to tell<br />
if someone has dementia as it affects everyone in<br />
very different ways. Interactive discussions involved<br />
identifying the common symptoms of dementia, which<br />
include short-term memory loss, struggling to plan or<br />
complete tasks, problems with perception, confusion,<br />
indecisiveness and difficulty in reading or following<br />
instructions. The day was deemed a real success and our<br />
team learnt so much in the process. We were so pleased<br />
that we plan to extend the training to include all our<br />
fundraising staff and volunteers. As Bill quite rightly says<br />
in his foreword, as well as being known for our clinical<br />
excellence, we also want to be known as leaders when it<br />
comes to fundraising standards. We think it’s the least<br />
that you deserve!<br />
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative<br />
was launched in March 2013. The programme is the<br />
biggest ever initiative to change people’s perception of<br />
dementia. There are currently over one million Dementia<br />
Friends across England and Wales with a long-term<br />
commitment by the Alzheimer’s Society of creating four<br />
million Dementia Friends by 2020.<br />
14 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
WHAT WE DO<br />
News from the AAA<br />
reception held by the All Party Parliamentary<br />
A<br />
Group for <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>s (APPGAA) on<br />
the House of Commons Terrace gave us an<br />
opportunity to meet some of our local MPs. The event was<br />
hosted by Chairman of the APPGAA, Chloe Smith, MP for<br />
Norwich North. In her opening speech, Chloe explained<br />
how she was honoured to be the chair of such a dynamic<br />
group of organisations that do amazing work within the<br />
community.<br />
The Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Jeremy<br />
Hunt, also delivered a speech that praised the work of<br />
the UK’s air ambulances and ambulance services. He said:<br />
“In July I was lucky enough to experience the amazing<br />
work you deliver to the most critically ill. It was one of<br />
the most impressive things I have seen and showed the<br />
NHS at its finest. I would like to thank the paramedics,<br />
doctors and pilots who deliver these services; I am<br />
amazed how you all unwind at the end of your day after<br />
looking after these very ill NHS patients. I would also<br />
like to thank the volunteers across the UK for all their<br />
dedication and hard work.”<br />
The Association of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>s (AAA) supported<br />
the reception for the third year, bringing patients,<br />
charities, ambulance services and legislators together.<br />
Left to right:<br />
Bill Sivewright,<br />
Jeremy Hunt,<br />
Chloe Smith and<br />
Clive Dickin<br />
Awards of Excellence<br />
Almost 350 guests celebrated the best and brightest<br />
from the air ambulance community at the 2015 <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Awards of Excellence. Awards hosts, BBC<br />
News presenter Sophie Long and Helicopter Heroes<br />
presenter Rav Wilding, handed out 11 awards to<br />
outstanding individuals and teams, whose stories<br />
were inspirational, astonishing and humbling. <strong>Dorset</strong><br />
and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> was shortlisted in four<br />
categories: Ian Mew (<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> Doctor of the Year),<br />
Paul Owen (<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> Paramedic of the Year),<br />
our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge (<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Campaign of the Year) and further recognition<br />
was given to our unique Post Graduate Education<br />
Programme (Innovation of the Year). A list of all the<br />
winners can be found on the AAA website.<br />
Left to right: Julie<br />
Plowden, Claire<br />
Baker, Anna<br />
Phillips, David<br />
Warburton MP,<br />
Phil Hyde<br />
Recognition of Bill Sivewright<br />
Bill Sivewright has been Chairman of the AAA since<br />
November 2012. This was preceded by a year as<br />
Vice-Chair. In March he stepped down from his role<br />
after serving his term and Hanna Sebright will take over<br />
the reins from March.<br />
Bill led the then-unincorporated membership of the<br />
AAA to the position of incorporation, by allowing a<br />
governed structure to form, starting the Association on a<br />
journey that has seen it exceed members’ expectations.<br />
His leadership has seen the AAA membership grow and a<br />
number of significant projects come to fruition<br />
Clive Dickin, National Director of the Association, said:<br />
“I would like to formally congratulate Bill on his tenure<br />
and successes. He has been an inspirational leader and<br />
the Association owes him many thanks for his dedication<br />
over the years. It has been an absolute pleasure working<br />
with him as Chairman.”<br />
More information on the Association of <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong>s and the air ambulance community<br />
across the UK can be found at: www.aoaa.org.uk<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 15
WHAT WE DO<br />
HSJ winners<br />
We were absolutely thrilled to come out winners at the 2015<br />
Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards, which were held in November<br />
he HSJ Awards are the largest celebration of<br />
T<br />
excellence in UK healthcare, highlighting<br />
the most innovative and successful people<br />
and projects in the sector. The awards were created in<br />
1981 to recognise, on a national platform, the projects<br />
and initiatives that deliver healthcare excellence and<br />
innovation. More than 600 organisations submitted over<br />
1,600 entries in 2015.<br />
Earlier in the year, the Charity was recognised for the<br />
initiation, development and delivery of the unique Post<br />
Graduate Education Programme for our paramedics.<br />
Funded entirely by the Charity and run in partnership<br />
with the University of Hertfordshire, the South Western<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS Foundation Trust and senior<br />
doctors and consultants from local hospitals, the<br />
initiative saw us become a finalist in the ‘Improving<br />
Outcomes through Learning and Development’ category.<br />
Subsequently, all finalists completed presentations and<br />
interviews during October to a judging panel made up of<br />
senior and influential figures from the health sector. The<br />
results were subsequently announced in November at the<br />
awards ceremony.<br />
The judging panel was impressed by how the <strong>Dorset</strong><br />
and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> project was funded and<br />
felt it was a great example of the collaboration between<br />
stakeholders. The presentation had apparently used clear<br />
evidence to demonstrate its impressive outcomes.<br />
A delighted DSAA<br />
team receive their<br />
award from host<br />
Clare Balding<br />
After walking away with the top prize, Bill Sivewright,<br />
the Charity’s Chief Executive Officer, said:<br />
“We are absolutely delighted to have won this award.<br />
Training and education form a cornerstone of the<br />
Charity’s vision for the pursuit of clinical excellence. We<br />
feel that the future benefit for our patients is best served<br />
by investing directly in those charged with delivering the<br />
clinical care.<br />
“The unique element of this programme is the fact<br />
that the education and training is delivered on-site at<br />
the Charity’s airbase and not in the university classroom.<br />
Through this mechanism we have now established a<br />
group of highly enthusiastic paramedics and doctors who<br />
help deliver the training at the airbase, on the helicopter<br />
and within their own trusts.<br />
“It is particularly satisfying that the judges recognised<br />
our collaborative approach and the extensive stakeholder<br />
involvement. This has helped foster regional clinical<br />
relationships that we believe provides significant<br />
patient benefit. We are most grateful to South Western<br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Service NHS Foundation Trust and the<br />
University of Hertfordshire for their commitment to the<br />
creation of this unique programme. We must also thank<br />
our supporters, without whom we would never have been<br />
able to contemplate such an ambitious project.”<br />
More information on the HSJ Awards visit:<br />
https://awards.hsj.co.uk/winners-2015<br />
16 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
WHAT WE DO<br />
£1,500<br />
Over £2m<br />
per year<br />
£144<br />
£800<br />
£1,000<br />
£7,500<br />
£5,000<br />
£66<br />
Every little helps!<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> receives no direct funding from the<br />
Government or the National Lottery. We rely on donations from the public<br />
and money from fundraising to help us raise the funds we need. Thousands of<br />
people’s lives have been changed thanks to the provision of our service and it is<br />
with thanks to YOU, that we continue to fly.<br />
COST OF OPERATION<br />
Annual cost..............................................................Over £2 million<br />
Cost per mission..................................................Approximately £2,500<br />
One life saved.........................................................PRICELESS<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 17
why we do it<br />
“I am eternally grateful”<br />
Living high on a hill, in the town of Rousdon near Lyme Regis, Mike suffered a<br />
serious fall. <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> was called, but low cloud and<br />
deteriorating weather en-route meant the crew on board would have to find an<br />
alternative safe landing site on lower ground…<br />
n 7 October I had been fishing for the day and<br />
“O<br />
came back home to find that my wife and<br />
neighbours had been busy cutting away trees<br />
and laurel bushes that had become overgrown. A local<br />
farmer had very kindly lent us one of his industrial<br />
trailers to take the cuttings away. The cuttings, having<br />
been thrown into the high trailer, were now sticking out<br />
of the top. I took two ladders, one that I climbed and the<br />
other to use to compact the cuttings.<br />
“Having reduced the laurel to a quarter of the<br />
trailer’s capacity, I decided I would climb down the<br />
other ladder inside the trailer. While transferring my<br />
weight from one ladder to the other I was catapulted<br />
up into the air. I started falling head first (this gives<br />
me shivers just thinking about it) but in a split second,<br />
somehow I managed to do a ‘half turn pike’, landing on<br />
my left side.<br />
“This, I believe, saved me from suffering serious<br />
head injuries. Suddenly I was aware that there were a<br />
lot of people around me. They were asking questions<br />
and telling me not to close my eyes or fall asleep.<br />
Some friends made light-hearted jokes to try and keep<br />
me alert and I am sure this helped. The emergency<br />
services were called and it wasn’t long before two first<br />
responders arrived.”<br />
On air ambulance duty that day was pilot Max Hoskins<br />
and CCPs Claire Baker and Paul Owen. Claire remembers<br />
the incident well.<br />
“We were called by our HEMS desk at <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Control with information on Mike’s incident. The details<br />
of the call led us to believe that he may have sustained<br />
serious injuries and quite possibly needed specialist<br />
pre-hospital care before being flown to hospital.<br />
“On leaving our airbase and flying south-west,<br />
we discovered the weather and cloud cover were<br />
deteriorating quite quickly. Mike’s incident had taken<br />
place on the top of a hill and the weather conditions<br />
meant that we were unable to land at his exact location;<br />
18 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
why we do it<br />
DSAA paramedics<br />
Claire Baker<br />
(right) and Paul<br />
Owen were<br />
given a lift on the<br />
final leg of their<br />
journey by<br />
a helpful postie<br />
instead we found a safe landing site next to the River Axe<br />
in the low ground of the estuary.<br />
“Carrying our heavy bags, we began to run up the hill.<br />
Fortunately, a local postman was delivering mail in the<br />
area. He pulled over in his Royal Mail van and offered us<br />
a lift, delivering both us and our equipment to the scene.<br />
At this point our ambulance service colleagues had also<br />
arrived and were starting to assess Mike’s condition. He<br />
had suffered a fall from a potentially dangerous height<br />
so it was important that we recognised and treated his<br />
injuries quickly.<br />
“We assessed Mike’s consciousness level. His airway and<br />
circulation were normal, however, he was complaining of<br />
pains to his chest and ribs. We were concerned that one<br />
of his lungs may have been damaged in the fall but, after<br />
further monitoring and assessment, it was determined<br />
that his condition was not life-threatening. Working with<br />
our ambulance service colleagues, we tried to make him<br />
comfortable, immobilised his head, neck and back as a<br />
precaution and administered pain relief as required. The<br />
land ambulance was then used to transport Mike back<br />
“An accident like this<br />
really helps you focus<br />
your mind on what .<br />
is important in life”<br />
to the helicopter before he was flown to Royal Devon and<br />
Exeter Hospital.”<br />
Mike underwent a series of x-rays and CT scans.<br />
These showed that he had fractured five of his ribs and<br />
fortunately suffered no further breaks or injuries.<br />
“The doctors informed me that broken ribs have to heal<br />
in their own good time and thus 24 hours later I was back<br />
at home. The first six weeks were the worst as I had to<br />
‘sleep’ in the spare room with ten pillows behind my back<br />
to make sure that I was sat in an upright position. As you<br />
can imagine, not much sleep happened over that period.<br />
“About ten months after the accident, I noticed that I<br />
wasn’t able to lift my arms above my shoulders and when<br />
I mentioned this during my yearly medical, I was advised<br />
to see a shoulder specialist. Further X-rays diagnosed that<br />
I had torn tendons in both of my shoulders, which was<br />
likely to be a result of my incident.<br />
“Injections were tried at first and although this gave<br />
me some mobility, it began to wear off so we opted for<br />
keyhole surgery (rotator cuff procedure) to repair both of<br />
the shoulders. I was informed that it could take anywhere<br />
between nine and 18 months to repair my shoulders,<br />
depending on the severity of the tear.<br />
“My left shoulder was operated on in November<br />
2015, where the specialist found a small tear, some<br />
compression and a torn biceps tendon as well. Part of the<br />
recovery has meant a course of physiotherapy and more<br />
than 210 daily exercises at home.<br />
“I am due to see the specialist again soon and am<br />
hopeful that he will sign me off in order that I can go<br />
salmon fishing in Canada later this year. The plan is to<br />
have another operation on the other shoulder after that.<br />
“An accident like this really helps you focus your mind<br />
on what is important in life and I am eternally grateful<br />
for the care and assistance that <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> gave me. I am now a keen fundraiser and<br />
organise the annual Rousdon Quiz, which raises funds<br />
for both DSAA and Devon AA.”<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 19
why we do it<br />
Remote beach rescue<br />
Richard Wickham became ill while visiting one of the most remote beaches<br />
on the south coast. He needed to get to hospital quickly, but access to his<br />
location was extremely difficult. <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> was<br />
called in by paramedics at the scene. Richard tells us more…<br />
eing retired, I like to take special advantage of<br />
“B<br />
warm, sunny days and often got to Knoll Beach,<br />
Studland during the summer months to relax,<br />
sunbathe and sometimes swim.<br />
“It was Monday 7 September 2015 and although I had<br />
suffered slight stomach cramps the day before, I decided<br />
to go to the beach as it was such a lovely day. I was quite<br />
relaxed and enjoying the day until around 11.30am when<br />
the stomach cramps returned and I collapsed as a result<br />
of the pain.<br />
“An ambulance was called but unfortunately it was<br />
about a ten-minute walk from the road to get to me, so<br />
it took some time before paramedics arrived. Having<br />
established there was definitely something wrong – as<br />
apparently I looked very pale and had severe stomach<br />
pain – I was given medication and put on a drip.<br />
“The paramedics decided to call the air ambulance for<br />
assistance as it would have been difficult to carry me on a<br />
stretcher over soft sand and along a rough track to where<br />
the ambulance was located.<br />
“The Coastguard and National Trust closed an area on<br />
the beach. As soon as the helicopter landed, a doctor on<br />
board checked me out and diagnosed an internal bleed.<br />
Richard spent nine<br />
days in hospital<br />
following his airlift<br />
from Knoll Beach<br />
I was quickly strapped up to a stretcher, carried a few<br />
yards across the dunes onto the beach, put in the waiting<br />
helicopter and taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The<br />
crew on board kept me reassured and relaxed as I took<br />
my first ever trip in a helicopter, although I only had a<br />
view of the sky!<br />
“I had x-rays soon after arriving in hospital and at<br />
11.00pm that evening a CT scan showed a large acute<br />
haematoma of the abdomen, suspected to be the result<br />
of a fall.<br />
“I was in hospital for a total of nine days. It has taken<br />
me three months to return to good health and the latest<br />
scan shows an improvement in the blood clot. Once I was<br />
aware that DSAA was a charity, I had no hesitation in<br />
sending a thank you letter and donation as I appreciate<br />
that this emergency trip to hospital – and the attention I<br />
was given – cost a lot more than a taxi ride!<br />
“I realise my cheque was a drop in the ocean compared<br />
to the costs incurred in keeping this important life-saving<br />
charity going, but I hope it showed my appreciation for<br />
what was done for me and I would like to think other<br />
people will show theirs in the same way, should they ever<br />
be in the same position.”<br />
20 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
“I wondered what was<br />
happening to me”<br />
why we do it<br />
One Sunday afternoon in late<br />
October, Mark and his wife<br />
Becky decided to take their<br />
children Beth (14) and Joseph<br />
(12) on a walk to Burrington<br />
Combe on the Mendip Hills.<br />
However, the trip didn’t quite<br />
end as the family expected.<br />
Mark tells us more….<br />
e’d only been walking for about 15 minutes,<br />
“W<br />
when I suddenly felt this intense nausea and<br />
dizziness. This was followed by a deep pain in<br />
my throat and between my shoulder blades. I fell to the<br />
floor on my hands and knees and, according to Becky, I<br />
went ashen in colour, very cold and really sweaty.<br />
“I tried rocking about to stop the pain, but it wouldn’t<br />
lessen and I wondered what was happening to me. I<br />
remember thinking that my left arm didn’t hurt (the<br />
classic symptom of a heart attack on TV dramas), my<br />
throat felt like something was being forced down it and<br />
my back felt like it had been crushed by something.<br />
“Not one of us had a mobile phone with us, which<br />
was a bad move and there were no other people around.<br />
The children ran off in different directions to try and<br />
find someone with a phone. It was quite a while before<br />
they found someone and eventually returned; by that<br />
point I was rolling about on the ground in waves of<br />
unbearable nausea and severe pain.<br />
“After some time, I heard the sound of a<br />
helicopter overhead and before I knew it, a<br />
Mark and his<br />
family were taking<br />
a walk near the<br />
‘Rock of Ages’<br />
when he fell ill<br />
paramedic was asking me how bad the pain was on a<br />
scale of 1 to 10. I remember thinking that this was an<br />
impossible question to answer in the circumstances and<br />
said ‘7’ because I didn’t want to exaggerate (how British<br />
is that?).<br />
“I answered a few more questions about the location<br />
of the pain and then one of the paramedics said, “We<br />
are going the cardiac route”, or something very<br />
similar. This confirmed both Becky’s and my<br />
thoughts that I had suffered, or was suffering,<br />
a heart attack. After popping an aspirin under<br />
my tongue, I was put on a stretcher and placed<br />
inside the air ambulance.<br />
“I was cared for by the paramedics and flown<br />
to Weston Hospital. There I was given oxygen<br />
and underwent tests on my heart. After I showed<br />
no signs of improvement and experienced a<br />
sudden drop in my blood pressure, the consultants<br />
decided I needed transferring to Bristol Royal Infirmary<br />
for more specialist treatment and so I was whisked away.<br />
“On arrival at Bristol, I was given more drugs and<br />
eventually the pain began to ease. I underwent an<br />
angioplasty procedure and one stent was inserted.<br />
Amazingly, I watched everything that was happening to<br />
me via a monitor. As soon as the stent was fitted, I felt<br />
much better, which was such a relief. I stayed in hospital<br />
for a few days before being taken back to Weston, where I<br />
stayed for another week and then attended cardiac rehab<br />
in Wells. Everyone has been excellent in building me<br />
back up both physically and mentally and I can’t thank<br />
them enough.”<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 21
why we do it<br />
Sharing your story<br />
Ben Ollis was three<br />
and a half when<br />
he was kicked<br />
in the head by a<br />
horse. His family<br />
shared their story<br />
and featured in a<br />
previous edition<br />
of <strong>Beeline</strong>. Ben’s<br />
full story, among<br />
others, can be<br />
found on our<br />
website<br />
ver the years, our <strong>Beeline</strong> magazine has showed<br />
O<br />
the many different ways that people support<br />
the Charity. There are those that challenge<br />
themselves to take part in sky dives, climb mountains<br />
or run marathons and those that hold events on our<br />
behalf to raise funds. There are children that donate their<br />
pocket money, volunteers who work tirelessly throughout<br />
the year to help us and thousands of you who sign up for<br />
our Flight for Life Lottery. These are just a few ways that<br />
people help us and without every single one of you, we<br />
would not be able to help so many others.<br />
Within each issue you will also read some incredible<br />
stories of courage and determination from the patients<br />
we have helped. They have all been provided by the<br />
individuals or their friends and family members and play<br />
a crucial part in helping to raise awareness of the work<br />
we do.<br />
You may be unaware that due to patient<br />
confidentiality, we cannot hold patient records. That<br />
means that unless the patients we have helped get in<br />
touch with us, we have no way of knowing the full impact<br />
of our service.<br />
We appreciate that reliving an incident can sometimes<br />
be traumatic, but in our experience, we have found that<br />
many patients get comfort from telling their tale. Some<br />
are re-united with the crew who played a part on the day<br />
and in most cases they become friends and supporters of<br />
the Charity.<br />
The process of getting in touch is simple and our<br />
patients are under no obligation to disclose anything that<br />
they would not want to be published or shared. So if you,<br />
or anyone you know, has been airlifted or treated by our<br />
team, we would be delighted to hear from you.<br />
There are a number of ways in which this can be done.<br />
You could give a personal account of the events on the<br />
day by email, phone or letter – or alternatively arrange a<br />
time for us to call or visit you at home.<br />
So please, if you have had an experience you would<br />
like to share, contact our Communications Manager, Tracy<br />
Bartram, by email: tracy.bartram@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
by phone: 01823 669604 or by letter: DSAA, Landacre<br />
House, Castle Road, Chelston Business Park, Wellington,<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong>, TA21 9JQ.<br />
Thank you!<br />
22 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
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Untitled-6<br />
'Secure'<br />
13<br />
ad A4 for print.indd 1<br />
16/03/<strong>2016</strong><br />
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13:46pm<br />
15:47
Watergate Bay, Cornwall<br />
Untitled-4 13 15/03/<strong>2016</strong> 19:00
Registered Charity<br />
1078685<br />
FLIGHT FOR LIFE<br />
LOTTERY<br />
Lottery<br />
£1<br />
a week<br />
Thank you for supporting<br />
our Flight for Life Lottery<br />
Your membership is extremely important<br />
to us. Please share these centre pages with<br />
your family and friends to help us increase<br />
our membership. With your support, we are<br />
confident that we can continue to deliver an<br />
air ambulance service you can be proud of.<br />
Thank you!<br />
PRIZES<br />
JACKPOT.........................£1,000<br />
2nd PRIZE.............................£250<br />
3rd PRIZE...............................£150<br />
4th PRIZE................................£125<br />
5th PRIZE..............................£100<br />
Plus many other consolation prizes<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 25
FLIGHT FOR LIFE<br />
Lottery<br />
Weekly draw takes place<br />
every Friday<br />
No rollovers, so all prizes<br />
are won every week!<br />
Winner’s cheques are sent<br />
out in post, so no need to<br />
claim!<br />
You can pay by cash,<br />
cheque or Direct Debit<br />
ABOUT THE LOTTERY<br />
Our Flight for Life Lottery was launched on 19<br />
December 2000 by Jeremy Beadle and since<br />
its launch has gone from strength to strength.<br />
There are five main cash prizes, including a<br />
Jackpot of £1,000 and a number of other<br />
consolation prizes.<br />
HOW IS IT PROMOTED?<br />
We promote and recruit new lottery members<br />
using our canvassing team, who may visit you<br />
at your home, attend events and are seen in<br />
many supermarkets across the two counties.<br />
Canvassers should always carry photographic<br />
identity badges so you can be assured they<br />
are genuine.<br />
HOW DOES IT WORK?<br />
Once we receive your membership application,<br />
we enter your details onto our computerised<br />
lottery system. Each Friday, the winners are<br />
randomly selected from all paying members.<br />
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?<br />
Each entry costs £1. You don’t have to stick to<br />
one entry, you can have as many as you like.<br />
Your Lottery<br />
membership<br />
helps fund the<br />
air ambulance<br />
HOW CAN I PAY?<br />
The easiest and most cost-effective way is by<br />
Direct Debit. We are a Direct Debit originator<br />
with Nat West Bank, which means your bank<br />
details are safe with us.<br />
HOW DO I CLAIM?<br />
We automatically send out all winners’ cheques<br />
in the post so you do not need to claim your<br />
prize. A list of winners can be found on our<br />
website: www.dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
HOW DO I JOIN?<br />
Simply complete our application form on page<br />
28 and return it to us at: <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>, Unit 3, Brook Road Industrial<br />
Estate, Wimborne, <strong>Dorset</strong>, BH21 2BH.<br />
If you would like to pay by cheque or by other<br />
means, please contact the Lottery office on:<br />
01202 849530<br />
The <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Lottery is registered with the Gambling<br />
Commission www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk,<br />
Registration No. 000-004838-N-100338-008<br />
and is also a member of the Lotteries Council.<br />
Players must be 16 or over.<br />
26 Lottery Tel: 01202 849530 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
Dear Sir/Madam,<br />
Back in May I was amazed<br />
to win the first prize in your<br />
Lottery. I have been able to share<br />
it with my own children and<br />
grandchildren and other charities.<br />
However, I would like to give<br />
you the enclosed cheque as a<br />
thank you. Philippa Grier<br />
After 34 years as Williton’s independent<br />
newsagent and 50 years in the newsagent trade,<br />
Hugh Davies has retired. Davies Newsagent was<br />
the second shop to become an agent and promote<br />
our weekly lottery to its customers. Hugh spent<br />
time encouraging people to take part and has<br />
since generated an income for the Charity of over<br />
£15,000. We are sure that Hugh will be a great<br />
loss to the village and want to thank him for the<br />
many years of support.<br />
GRAND DRAW RESULTS<br />
In addition to our weekly lottery, the charity<br />
holds two Grand Lottery Draws every year.<br />
These take place during the summer and at<br />
Christmas. Our 2015 Christmas Draw took<br />
place on Wednesday 16 December. We were<br />
astounded by the amount of support we<br />
received and you all did an incredible job<br />
buying and selling raffle tickets on our behalf.<br />
A total of 102,446 tickets were sold, which is<br />
incredible. Our congratulations go to all the<br />
winners and a big thank you goes to everyone<br />
who took part!<br />
GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW 2015 winners<br />
£1,000 Mrs A Slater, Wareham<br />
(Ticket 571654)<br />
£250 Mrs B Yalden, Portland<br />
(Ticket 502010)<br />
£150 Mr R C Turner, Gillingham<br />
(Ticket 664646)<br />
£125 Mr F J Seal, South Chard<br />
(Ticket 60877)<br />
£100 T Plain, Wimborne<br />
(Ticket 517650)<br />
The date for our Grand Summer Draw is<br />
Thursday 14 July <strong>2016</strong>. We really hope that you<br />
will once again help us by purchasing tickets.<br />
Who knows, it could be you that comes away<br />
with one of the winning tickets!<br />
A LOTTERY GIFT<br />
Don’t forget that our Lottery Gift Vouchers<br />
are only available to purchase via our Lottery<br />
office. What an incredible gift to give to a loved<br />
one or friend. Vouchers can be purchased in<br />
different denominations depending on the<br />
amount you wish to spend.<br />
Simply call: 01202 849530 or email:<br />
lottery@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
I am writing to thank you for the surprise<br />
cheque of £250 that I recently received<br />
as second prize in your Lottery. It was<br />
most unexpected and very welcome. I am<br />
of course, pleased to be able to continue<br />
to support the <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong>. Once again my grateful<br />
thanks for the cheque. Peter F Masters<br />
To<br />
Registered Charity<br />
1078685<br />
Lottery Gift Voucher<br />
This Gift Voucher Entitles:<br />
weeks in the Flight for Life Lottery<br />
From: To: Authorised by:<br />
Membership Number:<br />
Date:<br />
Dear Sir/Madam,<br />
Thank you so much for the<br />
cheque I received yesterday.<br />
What a lovely surprise and all for<br />
supporting such a worthy cause,<br />
which I would hope never to<br />
make use of. Once again, thank<br />
you. Judy Hathaway<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> & <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> Lottery<br />
Unit 3, Brook Road Industrial Estate, Wimborne, <strong>Dorset</strong>, BH21 2BH<br />
T: 01202 849530 E: lottery@dsairambulance.org.uk www.dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
DSAA_Lottery_Voucher_A5.indd 2 15/07/2013 13:38<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 27
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Flight for Life<br />
Lottery<br />
Name(s) of Account Holder(s)<br />
Bank/Building Society Account Number<br />
Branch Sort Code<br />
- -<br />
Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society<br />
To the Manager<br />
Address<br />
Tel 01202 891440<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Unit 3, Brook Road Industrial Estate,<br />
Wimborne,<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong>,<br />
BH21 2BH<br />
Registered Charity<br />
1078685<br />
Bank/Building Society<br />
Instruction to your Bank or Building<br />
Society to pay by Direct Debit<br />
Service User Number<br />
6 8 2 0 5 4<br />
This is not part of the instruction to your Bank<br />
or Building Society.<br />
Please complete the whole form including this section<br />
Please tick one box to select the payment type :-<br />
Single Membership Double Membership<br />
(1 Ticket) (2 Tickets)<br />
£4.34 monthly £8.68 monthly<br />
£13 quarterly<br />
£26 six monthly<br />
£52 yearly<br />
£26 quarterly<br />
£52 six monthly<br />
£104 yearly<br />
Preferred Start Date (if any).............................<br />
(You will be notified in writing, before the first<br />
payment is taken).<br />
Name ...............................................................<br />
Address ...........................................................<br />
.........................................................................<br />
................................ Postcode ........................<br />
Tel....................................................................<br />
Postcode<br />
Email ...............................................................<br />
Reference (Ticket Number)<br />
Signature(s)<br />
Date<br />
Instruction to your bank or building society.<br />
Please pay <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>, Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction, subject to the<br />
safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with the <strong>Dorset</strong> and<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>, and if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.<br />
The Direct Debit Guarantee<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits<br />
If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> will notify you<br />
10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request<br />
If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> or your bank or building society you<br />
are entitled to a full and immediate refund from your bank or building society<br />
- If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> asks you to<br />
You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required.<br />
Please also notify us.<br />
W15<br />
28<br />
Lottery Tel: 01202 849530 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
Untitled-3 13 26/08/2014 09:50
how people help<br />
From end to end…<br />
Cycling the entire length of the UK is a challenge that thousands of people<br />
take on each year. Whether cycling south from Lands End to John O’Groats<br />
(LEJOG) or north from John O’Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) it is an<br />
experience you never forget. We hear from those who have done it for DSAA<br />
Torr De Britain<br />
Five employees from Aggregate Industries at Torr<br />
Works Quarry in <strong>Somerset</strong> endured Britain’s ultimate<br />
cycling challenge by riding from John O’Groats to<br />
Land’s End, raising funds for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>.<br />
Initially the challenge was personal for those taking<br />
part (Sam May, Calum Barnett, Matt Wilkins, James<br />
Ashman and Gary Pryer) as four out of the five riders<br />
were amateurs and had never cycled before.<br />
During the year-long preparation and training, in<br />
typical wet and windy British weather, the team realised<br />
it would be a fantastic opportunity to raise money for<br />
two charities close to their hearts. Sam and Matthew<br />
The team from<br />
Aggregate<br />
Industries did<br />
the JOGLE ride<br />
for DSAA and<br />
Macmillan<br />
are both retained firefighters and have attended many<br />
incidents alongside the crew of <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>, seeing first-hand how valuable the air<br />
ambulance is in helping to save lives. This was the reason<br />
they selected <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>,<br />
alongside Macmillan, who would share any funds raised.<br />
A brilliant team effort saw the cyclists ride 960 miles<br />
in a total of nine days. Although the route was long<br />
and tiresome, the adventurers were not alone on their<br />
quest as a much-needed support vehicle and crew<br />
(Paul Herridge, Jody Herridge and Les Ashman) cheered<br />
them on and offered much-appreciated motivation at<br />
times of struggle.<br />
30 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
how people help<br />
According to Sam, there were many challenges along<br />
the way: “Cycling 100+ miles each day and then getting<br />
back on the bike the following morning (with some<br />
rather sore parts) proved extremely difficult. However, the<br />
biggest challenge of all was climbing the Kirkstone Pass<br />
in the Lake District, which consisted of cycling for 1 mile<br />
while climbing 1,000ft at a 20 per cent gradient. This was<br />
also the most memorable moment when we reached the<br />
top. It was simply unforgettable.”<br />
The group received a fantastic amount of support from<br />
local businesses who contributed towards supplies during<br />
the trip. Family, friends and work colleagues played a big<br />
part in encouraging others to donate. In total, the team<br />
raised more than £8,000, of which £4,065.48 was received<br />
by the Charity. A great achievement and a very big thank<br />
you from us all!<br />
South to north<br />
Sixteen-year-old Matt Kosinski took on the Lands End to<br />
John O’Groats challenge last year. Cycling with his dad,<br />
they set themselves a target of completing the ride as<br />
close to 100 hours from start to finish. Matthew started<br />
training at the beginning of the year and as soon as he<br />
had finished taking his GCSEs, the challenge began.<br />
Matt Kosinski<br />
and his dad took<br />
the LEJOG route,<br />
raising £1,609<br />
for DSAA<br />
“I’ve seen the air ambulance attending incidents on a<br />
couple of occasions. When I discovered that it receives no<br />
direct funding from the Government, I wanted to help.<br />
When the day arrived we set off at 8.00am. The weather<br />
was sunny and not too windy but we got off to a good<br />
start and completed the 178 miles from Lands End to<br />
Weston-Super-Mare.<br />
“Day two involved cycling from Weston to Wigan, a<br />
total of 203 miles in some wet and windy weather. A<br />
pit-stop just north of Gloucester allowed us to change<br />
our clothes as we were soaked through. We arrived just<br />
before 10.00pm. At 7.00am the following morning we<br />
started our trip from Wigan to Edinburgh. The 197-mile<br />
trip saw us cross the Scottish border at Gretna Green,<br />
climb the Southern Uplands before taking a brief stop to<br />
take in the scenery. Luckily the last part of the day was<br />
predominately downhill.<br />
“Our penultimate day was spent cycling from<br />
Edinburgh to Inverness; a total of 162 miles. It was hot<br />
when we left just before 8.00am and we were beginning<br />
to be rather weary. We crossed the Forth Road Bridge and<br />
it was a fairly hilly route from there up to Perth. After a<br />
break we continued to Inverness, crossing the Grampian<br />
Mountains, which were really tough!<br />
Finally, our last day; 122 miles from Inverness to John<br />
O’Groats. We got off to an early start (6.00am) as the<br />
weather forecast for the day was not good. Just after<br />
Helmsdale, the wind picked up to 25mph and with either<br />
a headwind or crosswind, it was hard going. By the time<br />
we reached our destination, the wind was up to 45mph<br />
but thankfully we had made it!<br />
It ended up taking 104 hours to complete the ride<br />
from the time we set off, to the time we arrived in John<br />
O’Groats; just a few hours short of our target. With<br />
support from our friends and family we managed to raise<br />
£1,609 for DSAA.”<br />
What a magnificent effort! Thank you Matthew!<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 31
how people help<br />
An enduring gift<br />
We are very grateful for every legacy we receive, be it large or small. These are<br />
special gifts that help us secure the Charity’s future – and each one is a lasting<br />
memory of someone special. By Richard Popper, DSAA Trustee<br />
’ve been a volunteer with <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
“I<br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> for four years and I never cease<br />
to be inspired by the skilled work of our crew<br />
and staff, the tireless enthusiasm of our volunteers and<br />
generosity of our supporters. I’ve also met patients who<br />
have been airlifted in a time of need. These are all reasons<br />
why increasing numbers of supporters have decided to<br />
remember the Charity in their will so we can carry on<br />
serving the communities of <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> in the<br />
years to come.<br />
“For many of us, the thought of preparing a will is<br />
something we’d rather not think about and even the<br />
legal terms (legacy, bequest, codicil) can be off-putting.<br />
However, the process should be fairly straightforward<br />
and a big relief when satisfactorily completed. We always<br />
recommend that supporters consult a solicitor to help<br />
them draw up a will. Of course we want supporters to<br />
make sure their family and loved ones are provided for<br />
before considering leaving a share of what might be left<br />
to charity.<br />
“Many of you will already have a will but not<br />
thought about leaving a gift to the <strong>Dorset</strong><br />
and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>. It’s pretty<br />
straightforward to update a will by including<br />
additional wishes in a separate document<br />
called a codicil. The charity is currently<br />
producing a booklet that outlines the process<br />
and will help you get started. It will also<br />
contain important information such as our<br />
Charity number so that your solicitor can make<br />
sure your gift will go to the right charity. This will<br />
be available later in the year.<br />
“For many people the content of their will is a very<br />
private matter, whereas others would like to talk to us<br />
and find out more about the Charity. Advising us of your<br />
future intentions means that we can make sure we keep<br />
you up-to-date with our latest news and developments<br />
and it also helps us plan for the future.<br />
“<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> is about<br />
to embark on an exciting new chapter with a new<br />
helicopter and expansion of our operating hours, thanks<br />
to your support. I’m looking even further ahead and<br />
asking for you to think about securing the future of<br />
our Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for the next<br />
generation to come.<br />
“Wills are a very personal thing and something we all<br />
need to take time to consider. Hopefully you don’t mind<br />
me giving you another thing to think about!”<br />
Some future security<br />
Marie Cherrett (left) of Upton, Poole, has left the Charity<br />
a gift in her will. She explains why she decided to do so<br />
“I’ve been a supporter of <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> for a number of years. I joined their<br />
Flight for Life Lottery after a canvasser called at<br />
my home. He was really lovely and told me so<br />
much about the work of the air ambulance.<br />
I used to drive in and out of London, over a<br />
thousand miles a week and fortunately never<br />
had an accident; however I saw many during<br />
my travels.<br />
“My daughter Karen lives on a pheasant farm<br />
in <strong>Somerset</strong>, which is accessed down a steep,<br />
narrow lane. Access to the farm can be restricted<br />
32 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
how people help<br />
Our volunteers<br />
We rely so much on our wonderful team<br />
of volunteers – their dedication to the<br />
Charity is amazing! Below we tell you<br />
more about one of them<br />
during extreme weather. A lady in the village was once<br />
taken ill and there was a road accident at the top of the<br />
lane that had blocked any access down to her home.<br />
The air ambulance landed and came to her aid. I was<br />
extremely comforted to know that in such a situation,<br />
my family will have the security of having such a<br />
wonderful, efficient emergency service available to<br />
them should they need it.<br />
“A local solicitor in Broadstone helped me leave<br />
a legacy to the Charity in my will. It was really<br />
straightforward. I have four children; three daughters<br />
and one son. Obviously my home will be equally shared<br />
between them all and when I told them I had left a small<br />
gift to DSAA, they didn’t question it one little bit.<br />
“I am lucky to have been so looked after by the medical<br />
profession over the years. It gives me great satisfaction<br />
to know that in my legacy, someone else’s life might be<br />
saved or they will be looked after as well as I have been.<br />
Knowing that my children have the security of such a<br />
wonderful service as <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
in the future and the fact that I have played a part makes<br />
me feel very proud.”<br />
Joy Whittingham<br />
Joy Whittingham worked in<br />
private medical insurance for<br />
more than 25 years. In 2010,<br />
she sadly lost her husband<br />
to a brain tumour and, after<br />
becoming semi-retired,<br />
decided that she wanted<br />
a new direction in life and<br />
wanted to donate some of<br />
her time to a local charity that<br />
helped others. In 2013, she<br />
applied to become a <strong>Dorset</strong><br />
and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
volunteer.<br />
The first time we met Joy,<br />
she was a breath of fresh<br />
air and boy could she talk!<br />
Immediately, we identified how<br />
well she would be received<br />
within the community. She was<br />
confident, presented herself<br />
impeccably and her delightful<br />
smile would be welcomed by<br />
many.<br />
Nearly three years on, Joy<br />
services a large number<br />
of the Charity’s collection<br />
boxes, attends events and<br />
cheque presentations on our<br />
behalf and delivers talks to<br />
audiences of all sizes. Her<br />
talks are extremely popular<br />
and with enthusiasm, passion<br />
and commitment, Joy wows<br />
audiences with her great<br />
charisma.<br />
It seems to be in her nature<br />
to constantly look for ways<br />
to improve her engagement<br />
with members of the public.<br />
For example, earlier this year<br />
Joy welcomed Peggy Sutton<br />
as a new volunteer to the<br />
area. Peggy experienced the<br />
work of the Charity when she<br />
was involved in a road traffic<br />
incident that left her with lifechanging<br />
injuries. Together<br />
they joined forces and Joy<br />
now includes time within her<br />
presentation for Peggy to tell<br />
her story, in her own words.<br />
This innovative approach,<br />
together with Joy’s willingness<br />
and determination to deliver<br />
every element of the Charity’s<br />
work in detail, has had an<br />
extremely positive impact<br />
across the board. Despite<br />
her busy schedule, Joy<br />
endeavours to support us at<br />
every opportunity possible<br />
and we feel extremely lucky to<br />
have her as part of our team.<br />
Need advice? Please get in touch<br />
If you have any questions about leaving a gift<br />
in your will or would like to tell us why you’ve<br />
already left a gift to the Charity, we would be<br />
delighted to hear from you. We can help<br />
answer any general questions, provide advice<br />
and give you the important information you<br />
need to know.<br />
Simply contact us today by telephone, post or<br />
email via the details shown on the right.<br />
Contact:<br />
Julie Plowden<br />
julie.plowden@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
Charlotte Routley<br />
charlotte.routley@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
Telephone: 01823 669604<br />
Post: <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>,<br />
Landacre House, Chelston Business Park,<br />
Castle Road, Wellington, TA21 9JQ<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 33
how people help<br />
Coast to Coast<br />
challenge <strong>2016</strong><br />
Our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge takes<br />
place on Sunday 15 May <strong>2016</strong>. With only<br />
600 places available and demand expected<br />
to be high, it was no surprise that within<br />
three days and four hours of the Charity<br />
announcing online registration open, all<br />
places had been filled!<br />
he event, which is not a race, offers two<br />
T<br />
different routes and distances. For those who<br />
like a challenge, a brilliant 54-mile cycle ride<br />
starts in the <strong>Somerset</strong> port of Watchet and finishes at<br />
West Bay near Bridport. For those that do not want to<br />
cycle that far, there is a shorter 11-mile route that begins<br />
at Drimpton in <strong>Dorset</strong> and also finishes at West Bay.<br />
This will be our sixth year in the saddle and every<br />
year seems to get better and better. With such a demand<br />
for places, there will undoubtedly be those who are<br />
disappointed not to gain a place. We hope that they will<br />
continue to support the Charity and the cyclists taking<br />
part, by joining us on the day both at the start, en-route<br />
and at the finishing-line celebrations.<br />
Last year’s event raised more than £64,000 and we<br />
hope that those taking part this year will encourage their<br />
friends and families to sponsor them, in a bid to make<br />
this the best Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge yet. Thanks to<br />
one of the event sponsors, Bicycle Chain Ltd, individuals<br />
in the Over 16 and Under 16 categories who raise the<br />
highest amount in sponsorship will win a brand new<br />
bicycle this year!<br />
Club enthusiasts and the more experienced cyclists<br />
will leave Watchet Harbour in <strong>Somerset</strong> at 11.00am<br />
with the less experienced riders getting on their way at<br />
11.15am. The shorter, 11-mile route from Drimpton in<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> starts at 2.00pm.<br />
We look forward to seeing you all there!<br />
2015 winners announced<br />
We were thrilled to be able to welcome and present the<br />
2015 Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge prize winners with<br />
their fundraising trophies at a recent visit to our airbase.<br />
34 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
how people help<br />
Prizes are awarded annually to those who raise the most<br />
in sponsorship in three different categories: Over 16,<br />
Under 16 and Team.<br />
Chris Norris, aged 66 from Evercreech, took part for<br />
the second year running, completing the 54-mile route.<br />
Chris’s son, Sam Norris, tragically lost his life in a road<br />
traffic incident in 2009. Chris had taken part the previous<br />
year to prove to himself that he could do it. However, in<br />
2015 he wanted to try and raise as much in sponsorship<br />
as possible. He encouraged his friends and family to<br />
support him and raised a whopping £1,949.38.<br />
Chris explained: “By far, the best bit is the feeling of<br />
achievement when you cross the finish line knowing<br />
that you have raised money for such a vital service. The<br />
fish and chips at West Bay were definitely a highlight<br />
too. The hardest part of the challenge for me was when I<br />
started training. I seriously wondered if I would be able<br />
to manage the hills, but I did.”<br />
Amelia Fleming, aged 12 from Maiden Newton, cycled<br />
the 11-mile route from Drimpton to West Bay. Her mum,<br />
Rechenda, knew of a lady who was taken to hospital by<br />
air ambulance after a riding accident, which was one<br />
Above:, left to right: Chris Norris<br />
(Over 16), Emilie Gordon and Charles<br />
Richardson (Team o’ Tumblers), Amelia<br />
Fleming (Under 16), Bill Sivewright<br />
(DSAA Chief Executive Officer)<br />
of the main reasons that they both took part. Amelia<br />
set up a JustGiving page before sending an email to all<br />
her friends and family asking for their support. Her<br />
godfather who lives in London was particularly generous<br />
and really kick-started her fundraising.<br />
Rechenda commented on her daughter’s achievement<br />
and said: “It was amazing. The finish line at West Bay was<br />
full of supporters cheering and clapping, the atmosphere<br />
was brilliant and we loved getting a medal and goodie<br />
bag too! The 11-mile route was really not too difficult and<br />
only took us an hour. Amelia raised £227.50, which we are<br />
really proud of and we would definitely like to be involved<br />
with other fundraising events for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> in the future.”<br />
Team o’ Tumblers once again came out in force. It’s<br />
not hard to spot this group of hunting and equine<br />
enthusiasts who take part as a team. Thirty-six members<br />
who are totally united in supporting <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> wore branded shirts and challenged<br />
themselves over the 54-mile route for the second year. In<br />
total, they raised a staggering £19,601.90 and together<br />
cycled a total of 1,994 miles!<br />
Each member has their own reason for wanting to take<br />
part and most have an incredible story to tell. United,<br />
they cheer each other as each one crosses the finish<br />
line, which creates an extra buzz in the already electric<br />
atmosphere.<br />
Spokesperson Rupert Rees said: “The camaraderie<br />
between the team is great. The event enables the group<br />
to do something different outside of our everyday lives<br />
and raise money for a cause that is extremely close to<br />
our hearts.<br />
“Individually we set a target of raising £100 per<br />
member, which seems quite a low ask. As you can see<br />
by how much we raised last year, everyone far exceeded<br />
that. This is because the cause is so important to us.<br />
Many of us know someone who has needed the air<br />
ambulance or indeed might need them in future. This is<br />
our way of saying thanks and showing our support. It’s<br />
a jolly good day out in aid of a charity that we love. It’s<br />
just got to be done!”<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 35
FEATURE<br />
In the Community<br />
Exmoor Lodge<br />
In memory of<br />
George and Ellie<br />
For the second year running, a<br />
Car Meet event held at Southwest<br />
Karting in Cheddar has raised money<br />
for the Charity. Jak ‘Titch’ Titchener<br />
from Southwest Karting organised<br />
the event last year in memory of<br />
friends George Stott and Ellie Clare,<br />
who tragically died in a road traffic<br />
incident. This year, Jak decided to<br />
run the event with additional help<br />
from PJ at Sweetshop Automotive, a<br />
car enthusiasts club.<br />
As a result of better organisation<br />
and some great publicity, the event<br />
raised £2,092; nearly £700 more than<br />
last year. PJ and Jak were delighted to<br />
visit the airbase to present paramedic<br />
Claire Baker with their recent<br />
fundraising cheque and plan to<br />
support the Charity again next year.<br />
The <strong>Somerset</strong> Freemasons, Exmoor Lodge<br />
No 2390, selected <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> as one of their chosen charities in<br />
2015. Volunteer Gail Everett attended a cheque<br />
presentation and dinner at the Masonic Hall and<br />
was delighted to be presented with a cheque for<br />
£500 from Worshipful Brother, John Lendon.<br />
Happy birthday<br />
Mr Wells, a local Parish Councillor for 48 years and<br />
a key part of the <strong>Somerset</strong> Football Association,<br />
celebrated his 80th birthday with a special dinner<br />
at Mendip Golf Club. Instead of receiving presents,<br />
he asked his friends and family for donations<br />
to <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>. After<br />
receiving an amazing £550, Mr Wells generously<br />
topped this up to £700. Thank you!<br />
Pictured: Mr Wells and close friend Nicola Fitzgerald present a<br />
cheque to Volunteer Marie Parkes<br />
Transport of Yesteryear’s Annual Fun Day and Car Show will once again support<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> in <strong>2016</strong>. This popular event, now in its 18th<br />
year, will take place on 26 June at School Hill in Chickerell. A spectacular day of<br />
music, fairground rides, trade stands, food stalls, car boot sale, and of course an<br />
array of classic and vintage vehicles, will not disappoint those who attend.<br />
Pictured: volunteers Pam Eamer and Ron Bishop gratefully receive last year’s<br />
fundraising cheque from Club Chairman Carle Graham and Muriel Ovens, which<br />
totalled £1,250.<br />
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FEATURE<br />
Gun dogs to the rescue<br />
Jean Pugh organised a gun dog training day near Taunton to raise money for the Charity. Twenty dog owners took<br />
part on the day, raising more than £750 in entry fees. Woof woof – well done!<br />
Bowled over<br />
Danny Newman, President of Branksome Park<br />
Bowling Club, agreed, with the support of fellow<br />
committee members, to select DSAA as the club’s<br />
Charity of the Year in 2015. Danny’s enthusiasm<br />
and outgoing personality also saw him take on<br />
a Wing Walk, which raised £915. At the end of<br />
his Presidency, volunteer Joy Whittingham was<br />
invited to a ‘President’s Lunch’ to give a short talk<br />
and accept a cheque totalling an amazing £3,300.<br />
What wonderful support!<br />
Dave Covill Memorial<br />
Skittles Cup<br />
The Rotary Club of Frome held<br />
the Dave Covill Memorial Skittles<br />
Challenge Cup and raised £900 for<br />
the Charity.<br />
Dave sadly passed away in May<br />
2014; he was a worthy Rotarian and<br />
sportsman. <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> received donations<br />
from his funeral at the time, which<br />
totalled an incredible £4,600.<br />
The Skittles Challenge, held in<br />
Dave’s memory, ran over a fourmonth<br />
period. It culminated in a<br />
presentation dinner held at Frome<br />
Town Football Club, where Dave’s<br />
wife Yvonne presented the winner’s<br />
cup to Dot Cretney.<br />
Yvonne was accompanied by<br />
Rotarian Terry Hulbert at a visit<br />
to our airbase, where they kindly<br />
presented the funds raised to<br />
members of our team.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 37
FEATURE<br />
In the Community<br />
Close shave<br />
Ed Beardsley from Street in<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong> was a clean-shaven<br />
man when he met his wife Gill<br />
in 1963. Over the duration of<br />
their marriage, Ed has grown<br />
his beard three times, with<br />
the most recent one taking up<br />
residence for 39 years! After<br />
much encouragement from Gill, Ed finally agreed<br />
to shave and took the plunge – raising £259 for<br />
DSAA in the process.<br />
Bookstall bonanza<br />
Staff and customers at the Co-operative Food Store in Bridport have<br />
added another £7, 000 to their fundraising in support of DSAA by selling<br />
unwanted second-hand books. The store’s bookstall is bursting with a<br />
variety of genres that are donated by customers and staff. All books are<br />
available to purchase for the small sum of 50p. With fresh books introduced<br />
regularly, many people bring theirs back after reading to exchange for<br />
more. The simple yet popular fundraising initiative was thought of by a<br />
staff member and has since raised more than £35,000 for the Charity. Store<br />
Manager Rob Garland presented the most recent donation of £7,000 to Tina<br />
Viksna (DSAA Fundraising Manager) when she visited the store. He said: “We<br />
are very proud of everyone who works here and for the support that we have<br />
received from the community. The people of Bridport are very passionate<br />
about the air ambulance and we are delighted to be able to help.”<br />
Police in<br />
fine voice<br />
Avon and <strong>Somerset</strong> Constabulary and <strong>Dorset</strong><br />
Police male voice choirs held a concert at<br />
Sherborne Abbey in aid of Care of Police<br />
Survivors and <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong>. A wonderful evening saw a total<br />
of £1,300 raised, which was split between both<br />
charities. Leanne Colverson was delighted to<br />
receive a cheque on the Charity’s behalf.<br />
70 years of singing<br />
Westfield Ladies Choir, based in Midsomer Norton, held a concert<br />
celebrating 70 years of singing and raised £600 for the Charity. They<br />
presented volunteer David Collins with a cheque during one of their<br />
rehearsals. Lesley Schofield from the choir said: “We are delighted to be able<br />
to support the air ambulance, which helps so many people and saves lives<br />
on a daily basis.”<br />
Our thanks go to the members and customers of Colin’s<br />
Community Club in Blandford who donated £836.56 in support<br />
of the Charity. In total, more than £1,400 was raised and<br />
donated to three charities, of which DSAA was one. Volunteers<br />
Wendy Burke and Richard Robbins were delighted to be able to<br />
attend the cheque presentation on our behalf. They were both<br />
out and about the following day receiving a cheque for £709<br />
from Blandford Constitutional Club, who held an Open Day and<br />
80-prize raffle in aid of the Charity.<br />
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FEATURE<br />
Dunster extravaganza<br />
West <strong>Somerset</strong>’s biggest county fair and annual show took place during<br />
the summer. Dunster County Fair, which is held in the grounds of Dunster<br />
Castle, provides fun and entertainment for the whole family, with a fun fair,<br />
children’s entertainment and a variety of trade stands, shows and displays.<br />
The DSAA team were present and held a ‘Name the Bee’ competition,<br />
which was won by Freddie Little from Wadebridge in Cornwall with his<br />
name, Frankie. To add to the excitement, our helicopter made a special<br />
fly-in appearance, which was kindly marshalled by the Taunton <strong>Air</strong> Cadets.<br />
Members of the public had the opportunity to explore the helicopter and<br />
meet our Critical Care Team. The Minehead Sea Scouts were also on hand<br />
to help the Charity with a bucket collection (which raised £810) and DSAA<br />
supporter Mrs Bosley from Watchet was delighted to present the crew with<br />
her annual fundraising cheque for £2,000. What a fantastic day!<br />
In addition to Dunster County Fair, Fundraising Co-ordinator Debbie<br />
Birtwisle and volunteers Ron Sidewater and Derek and Diane Albutt attended<br />
the Annual Dunster Show. Our team held a raffle for a spectacular quilt made<br />
and donated by the Greystones Quilters from Highcliffe in <strong>Dorset</strong>, which<br />
raised £337. The proud winner of the quilt was Archie Galloway-Leist.<br />
Santa’s Christmas crew<br />
The Christmas crew helped Santa travel across<br />
the <strong>Somerset</strong> Levels during the festive period,<br />
raising a record amount of £2,040 for DSAA.<br />
The crew visited many villages across the<br />
Langport area, giving out sweets and taking<br />
donations.<br />
Debbie Birtwisle, DSAA Fundraising<br />
Co-ordinator, paid a visit to High Ham Primary<br />
School to receive a cheque for the final amount<br />
raised and give a talk to the pupils. Christmas<br />
Crew Secretary and DSAA volunteer Karen<br />
Cook said: “We would like to thank everyone<br />
who came out in all sorts of weather, to wave,<br />
chat and put money in our buckets.”<br />
For the past ten years,<br />
Kitchencraft in Weymouth<br />
has supported the Charity by<br />
holding a Christmas raffle.<br />
Over this period a total of<br />
£3,579 has been raised, with<br />
the most recent raffle proceeds<br />
totalling £426. Brian Cookson,<br />
Owner of Kitchencraft, said:<br />
“The air ambulance provides<br />
such a vital service to the local<br />
community. It is our pleasure to<br />
help support them and I would<br />
like to thank everyone who took<br />
part and donated prizes.”<br />
The Weymouth Vehicle<br />
Preservation Society is<br />
pleased to report another very<br />
successful New Year’s Day<br />
Vintage and Classic Vehicle<br />
Run. Sponsored by Harts of Stur,<br />
this year a record 217 vehicles<br />
took part, and the event raised<br />
£2,711 for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>. Of this sum, a<br />
staggering £801 was collected<br />
in the buckets, and our thanks<br />
for this must go to DSAA<br />
volunteers Richard Robbins and<br />
Wendy Burke and their helpers.<br />
Summerfield Boules<br />
Property development company Summerfield<br />
organised their fifth Taunton Boules<br />
competition in aid of DSAA. Forty teams came<br />
together to enjoy an afternoon of boules in<br />
the grounds of Woodlands Castle. Undisputed<br />
winners of the fancy dress were Ashfords B<br />
team with their French mime artist Marcel<br />
Marceau costumes. Taunton Deane Borough<br />
Council fought a hard battle to win 8-5 over<br />
Boules of Steel (Porter Dodson) in the final.<br />
Setsquare Recruitment entered two teams<br />
who both made it to the Cup final, however,<br />
the seniors were well beaten by the younger<br />
generation 0-7 and Setsquare One took the<br />
coveted prize. Together with a kind top-up from<br />
Summerfield, the event raised £2,600.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 39
FEATURE<br />
In the Community<br />
Christmas spirit<br />
Lynn Miell from Langport got into<br />
the Christmas spirit by creating<br />
sprays from foliage in her garden.<br />
These were sold in aid of the<br />
Charity at Cobbs Wholefoods in<br />
Somerton and raised a total of £220.<br />
For the second year running,<br />
Linda Parry from Wincanton held<br />
a Christmas Wreath Workshop at<br />
her home. Linda’s granddaughter<br />
suffered a seizure three years<br />
ago and <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> airlifted her to hospital.<br />
With bookings already being taken<br />
for this year, members of the public<br />
pay £12 to make their own wreaths<br />
from natural materials and willows,<br />
which Linda supplies.<br />
Thanks, Modrapheniacs<br />
Scooter Club<br />
The Modrapheniacs Scooter Club raised £1,465<br />
for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> in<br />
memory of a member’s daughter, Joanna, who<br />
sadly lost her life at the age of 17 while riding her<br />
scooter. Volunteer John Hoyle met the group at<br />
one of their gatherings, where they presented<br />
him with the funds raised. Thanks and best wishes<br />
are sent from us all!<br />
Members of Bridport Bowling Club<br />
had a fantastic time at their yellowthemed<br />
Charity Day.<br />
After an enjoyable game of bowls,<br />
members tucked into a scrummy<br />
cream tea and also held a raffle.<br />
Many of the prizes donated by club<br />
members were considered too good<br />
to raffle, so they held an auction<br />
– with the proceeds from the day<br />
going to the Charity.<br />
Additionally, the club raised<br />
money during their tour of Wales<br />
and included a daily swindle and<br />
fines night for those who had<br />
committed various misdemeanours<br />
throughout the tour. In total, they<br />
raised £1,085.<br />
Touchdown<br />
The <strong>Dorset</strong> and Wilts Rugby Football League<br />
and Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club have<br />
raised a total of £760 for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>.<br />
The money was raised from the proceeds of<br />
gate receipts for champion matches played<br />
against Hampshire Rugby Football Union.<br />
Wiltshire <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> also received donations<br />
from champion matches played against<br />
Trowbridge Rugby Club.<br />
County President John Constable presented<br />
Fundraising Co-ordinator Debbie Birtwisle with a<br />
cheque at a recent airbase visit and said: “We are<br />
proud to support both air ambulances as they do<br />
all three counties a great service.”<br />
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FEATURE<br />
Pam and Ed Bowditch from Bowood<br />
in <strong>Dorset</strong> had a wedding with a<br />
difference. The couple, who are<br />
both young farmers and love the<br />
outdoors, decided to hold their<br />
wedding ceremony in a local field.<br />
After the bride made a sensational<br />
entrance on her 17hh warmblood<br />
horse, they were wed in a ‘church’<br />
that Ed constructed from straw bales.<br />
Pictured: Gerald<br />
Davidson and<br />
Henry Pinney<br />
(Chairman<br />
of WCMC)<br />
presenting<br />
volunteer Jim<br />
Burrows with<br />
£5,400<br />
A classic night<br />
The Westland Classic Motorcycle Club held an evening of laughter<br />
and entertainment, raising £5,400 for the Charity. Organised<br />
by former Honda Director and Honorary Club Member Gerald<br />
Davidson, the event saw more than 320 bikers attend. Former bike<br />
racer and now commentator Steve Parish entertained the crowd<br />
by revisiting some of his wildest and most amusing experiences at<br />
the height of his career. The night also included an auction of rare<br />
racing parts and a grand raffle, which was sponsored by Bransons<br />
Motorcycles of Yeovil.<br />
Pam and Ed’s <strong>Dorset</strong> wedding –<br />
with a twist…<br />
Instead of guests paying for<br />
drinks at the bar, the couple asked<br />
for donations to go to the Charity,<br />
which totalled £1,200. Beaminster<br />
Young Farmers were on hand to help<br />
serve the drinks and volunteers Pam<br />
Eamer and Ron Bishop were thrilled<br />
to be invited to the special day. We<br />
wish the happy couple all the best for<br />
the future!<br />
Coach trip with<br />
a difference<br />
Crossways Travel nominated <strong>Dorset</strong> and<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> as their Charity of the<br />
Year during 2015. They held various coach trips<br />
in aid of us, raising a total of £1,447. Fundraising<br />
Co-ordinator Leanne Colverson was delighted<br />
to attend a cheque presentation at St Leonard’s<br />
hotel in Weymouth to receive the funds raised.<br />
Kingston Country Fair<br />
success<br />
Our thanks go to the organisers of Kingston<br />
Country Fair, who presented our team with<br />
a cheque for £5,100 as proceeds from their<br />
2015 event. A recent announcement has also<br />
confirmed that <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> will once again be beneficiaries of<br />
this year’s event, which takes place on Sunday<br />
3 July <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
Plans are well underway and it’s looking<br />
bigger and better than ever. Located in the<br />
field next to Kingston Country Courtyard,<br />
which showcases magnificent views across<br />
the Purbecks, it sounds the perfect family day<br />
out. For more information on attending or<br />
participating with stalls and attractions, please<br />
contact Mr & Mrs Alan Fry on 01929 481663 or<br />
by email: ann@fryfarm.net<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 41
Specialists in all aspects of<br />
lingerie including bridal,<br />
maternity and mastectomy<br />
lingerie plus Swimwear and<br />
nightwear all year round<br />
We do what we’re called, fit perfectly<br />
We have well trained staff at hand to help all<br />
ladies of all ages from juniors to seniors with<br />
every sort of underwear.<br />
The Elderly - Other stores seem to have<br />
forgotten that certain age lady.<br />
We still sell good old fashioned vests and pants<br />
plus thermals, stockings, petticoats, bedjackets,<br />
warm nightwear, bedsocks, dressing gowns. You<br />
name it we’ve got it!<br />
The elderly lady is well looked after here in<br />
Perfect Fit.<br />
Medical problems are very important challenges<br />
for us:<br />
Mastectomy - We have special bras with pockets<br />
and ordinary non wired bras that we can put<br />
pockets in. We also stock very soft post opp bras<br />
to take into hospital to wear until healed.<br />
Lingerie for<br />
All Occasions<br />
Perfect Fit supplies all aspects<br />
of underwear for the young<br />
to the mature lady.<br />
Specialists in measuring<br />
and fi tting.<br />
Sizes AAA - K & L 28” - 50” back<br />
Stockists of all major brands.<br />
48/50 Temple Street, Keynsham<br />
01179 860950<br />
www.perfectfit.uk.com<br />
Let Perfect Fit help you, visit:<br />
Perfect Fit,<br />
48/50, Temple Street,<br />
Keynsham<br />
Open 9-5, Monday - Saturday<br />
XX_Perfect_Fit_AD.indd 29 11/03/2015 19:32
how you can help<br />
Need to get in<br />
touch?<br />
CONTACT US:<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong><br />
Landacre House<br />
Castle Road<br />
Chelston Business Park<br />
Wellington<br />
<strong>Somerset</strong><br />
TA21 9JQ<br />
Tel: 01823 669604<br />
E: info@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
www.dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
Ways to support us<br />
As you can see from our magazine, there are many different ways that you can help us! For those<br />
of you with a busy lifestyle, we have initiatives already in place that are simple to implement.<br />
For those with more time available, there are plenty of alternatives<br />
Book a talk<br />
Ideal for groups, clubs and schools to learn<br />
more about what we do<br />
Business partnership<br />
opportunities<br />
Charity of the year, payroll giving, employee<br />
volunteering<br />
Collection boxes<br />
Place one in your local shop or simply donate<br />
whenever you see one<br />
Events<br />
Register for one of our events or organise your<br />
own<br />
Join us<br />
Become a volunteer and donate the ‘gift of<br />
time’<br />
Join our Lottery<br />
Individually or as part of our business<br />
partnerships initiative<br />
Leave a legacy<br />
An everlasting gift<br />
Recycle<br />
Donate your unwanted textiles, mobile phones<br />
and used stamps<br />
Sponsorship<br />
For equipment, flying time, or one of our events<br />
Ways to make a personal donation<br />
There are a number of ways to support us by<br />
making a personal donation. It really depends on<br />
which option suits you best.<br />
If you are a UK taxpayer, the methods below<br />
allow us to claim Gift Aid on your donation.<br />
Gift Aid allows us to claim back 25p in every £1<br />
donated from HMRC and is one of the easiest<br />
ways to make your donation tax effective. The<br />
Charity reclaims the money and there is no extra<br />
cost to you.<br />
Credit/Debit card You can do this over<br />
the phone by calling: 01823 669604<br />
Cash or personal cheque Please make cheques<br />
payable to ‘<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>’<br />
and send to: DSAA, Landacre House, Castle Road,<br />
Chelston Business Park, Wellington, <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
TA21 9JQ. Please do not send cash in the post –<br />
you are welcome to call into our office, where we<br />
would be pleased to see you.<br />
Standing order For regular donations<br />
Online via JustGiving<br />
www.justgiving.com/dsaa/Donate<br />
Payroll giving Ask your employer if they offer a ‘Give<br />
as you Earn Scheme’, most large employers do<br />
Text giving Simply text DSAA01 £2/£5/£10 to<br />
70070 (eg, DSAA01 £5)<br />
More information can be found on our website:<br />
www.dsairambulance.org.uk or you can speak to<br />
one of our team on: 01823 669604<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 43
how you can help<br />
Come and join in!<br />
As summer approaches, we are looking for people to get involved in fundraising<br />
016 seems to be flying by and it won’t be<br />
2<br />
long before we are into the summer season.<br />
We’ve already got a number of events and<br />
talks booked into our diary, which are keeping our<br />
fundraising and volunteer teams extremely busy.<br />
When it comes to fundraising, it would appear that<br />
there is never a ‘down time’. That’s probably because<br />
our supporters are constantly thinking up new and<br />
innovative ways of raising funds to enable our crew to<br />
carry out their amazing work. You can read about some<br />
of these within this edition of the magazine.<br />
Remember, if you are holding an event or raising<br />
funds for the Charity, please be sure to let us know.<br />
This enables us to support you in your quest, whether<br />
by providing fundraising merchandise, promoting<br />
your event on our website calendar, sending along<br />
a representative or simply by providing advice and<br />
guidance.<br />
We have a fantastic team of volunteers who<br />
represent the Charity at events, service our collection<br />
boxes held at over 2,000 outlets across the two counties,<br />
attend cheque presentations on our behalf and carry<br />
out talks to a variety of clubs and groups. Between June<br />
and December last year, 207 supporter-led events were<br />
held in aid of the Charity – which is 34 more than the<br />
previous year – and 69 talks were presented by our<br />
team over the same period. We simply could not do this<br />
without the help of our volunteers, so a very big thank<br />
you from us all.<br />
On the subject of volunteers; we are currently<br />
looking for people to help us in the Bournemouth,<br />
Poole and Dorchester areas by attending events or<br />
giving talks. We are looking for people with excellent<br />
communication skills, who are numerate and have the<br />
ability to talk to groups with confidence. Full training<br />
will be provided. If you feel you could donate your time,<br />
(it doesn’t have to be on a regular basis), please call us<br />
on: 01823 669604 or email: info@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
Our supporters are often looking at the different ways<br />
to get involved. Our website is a great place to start to<br />
find out more. There are a number of initiatives already<br />
in place that are easy to implement and our fundraising<br />
pack gives you some really great ideas, together with<br />
hints and tips.<br />
In addition to these, there are also a number of<br />
initiatives that give a donation to <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong><br />
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> when you purchase, sell or recycle<br />
products.<br />
Easy fundraising<br />
One way you can help is by signing up to Easy<br />
Fundraising and logging in whenever you buy online.<br />
44 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
how you can help<br />
Business partnership<br />
opportunities<br />
There are nearly 3,000 retailers who make a donation<br />
when you shop this way, including Amazon, John Lewis,<br />
Aviva, thetrainline and Sainsbury’s! It’s really simple and<br />
doesn’t cost you a penny extra.<br />
Here’s how to do it:<br />
Sign up for FREE: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/<br />
dsairambulance/<br />
Shop – Every time you shop online, go to<br />
easyfundraising first, pick the retailer you want and<br />
start shopping.<br />
Raise – After you’ve checked out, the retailer will<br />
make a donation to your good cause for no extra cost<br />
whatsoever!<br />
Let’s sky dive<br />
Perhaps you’re more of an adrenalin junkie and fancy<br />
taking part in a sponsored parachute jump? Check out<br />
our website for details of Skydive.buzz and Go Skydive,<br />
who both offer the opportunity of jumping to raise funds<br />
for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>.<br />
Textile recycling<br />
Your unwanted clothes, shoes, bags, blankets, towels<br />
and general household textiles continue to raise<br />
money for the Charity. There are more than 150<br />
yellow banks located across the two counties. Please<br />
keep donating. To find your nearest bank, visit:<br />
www.bagitup.org.uk/banklocator<br />
ebay for charity<br />
Sell your goods on eBay and donate between<br />
10% and 100% of the profits to DSAA. eBay will<br />
guide you through the whole process. Visit:<br />
www.ebay.co.uk/ebayforcharity and then search<br />
for ‘<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>’.<br />
Mobile phone recycling<br />
Your old phone could raise<br />
funds for the Charity. Don’t<br />
just put it in the kitchen<br />
drawer and never think of it<br />
again; visit our website: www.<br />
dsairambulance.org.uk for<br />
more information or call:<br />
01823 669604.<br />
The sky’s the limit<br />
when it comes to<br />
fundraising ideas<br />
Business partnerships are a great way<br />
of demonstrating your corporate social<br />
responsibility and motivating employees<br />
through fundraising activities. There are a<br />
number of benefits for both the business and<br />
the employee and a variety of ways in which<br />
you can get involved, including:<br />
Adopting us as your Charity of the Year<br />
Holding a fundraising event<br />
Offering match funding opportunities<br />
Payroll giving<br />
Project funding, either by donating an<br />
employee’s time and skills, or funding<br />
Implementing one of our recycling initiatives<br />
at your workplace<br />
Sponsoring our Coast to Coast Cycle<br />
Challenge<br />
Hosting an information stand in your staff<br />
room<br />
Employee promotion and multiple<br />
subscription to our Flight for Life Lottery<br />
Providing Gifts in Kind, such as surplus<br />
equipment or supply of goods or vouchers<br />
Gift Aid reminder<br />
Gift Aid is one of the easiest ways to make<br />
your donation tax-effective. If you are a UK<br />
taxpayer and are fundraising for DSAA, we<br />
can claim an additional 25% on your donation;<br />
that’s 25p in every £1 donated. Simply<br />
download a copy of the form, which can be<br />
found on our website, or ask our office to send<br />
you a copy in the post. For those who are<br />
taking part in sponsored events, please ensure<br />
that all those who tick the Gift Aid box enter<br />
their full name, home address and postcode;<br />
we are unable to process claims if they are not<br />
complete or show a business address.<br />
Finally, our sincere thanks go to everyone<br />
who supports us, you really are making<br />
a difference! Please remember, if there is<br />
anything our team can do to help or support<br />
you in return, simply call: 01823 669604 or<br />
email: info@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 45
Westons Visitor Centre<br />
Westons Cider has been making cider in the Herefordshire<br />
village of Much Marcle, since 1880. Join a mill tour and<br />
go behind the scenes to discover how your favourite cider<br />
is produced. Sample cider and perry in the shop or enjoy<br />
homemade food in the Scrumpy House Restaurant.<br />
• Cider Mill Tours - 11.00am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm<br />
• Cider Shop and FREE Tasting (over 18’s only)<br />
• Scrumpy House Restaurant and Bottle Museum Tea Room<br />
• Located on the A449 between Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye<br />
• Open 7 days a week<br />
Westons Cider, The Bounds, Much Marcle,<br />
Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2NQ<br />
T: 01531 660108<br />
E: enquiries@westons-cider.co.uk<br />
A GREAT<br />
DAY OUT<br />
Call 01531 660108 or visit www.westons-cider.co.uk<br />
for further information and to arrange your visit.<br />
Advertise in<br />
<strong>Beeline</strong>!<br />
If you would like to<br />
advertise in the next issue<br />
of <strong>Beeline</strong> contact our<br />
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Spread the word<br />
how you can help<br />
National <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> Week<br />
There are a number of ways you can<br />
get involved and help raise money<br />
for DSAA during this busy week<br />
ational <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> Week (NAAW) <strong>2016</strong><br />
N<br />
takes place between Monday 19 and Sunday<br />
25 September. The initiative, created by the<br />
Association of <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong>s, celebrates the work of<br />
local air ambulance charities and has become a regular<br />
feature on event calendars across the UK.<br />
This is an opportunity for you to show your support for<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> and forward plan<br />
an event or activity during NAAW. There are so many<br />
ways that you can get involved. Why not hold a mufti/<br />
dress down day at school or within your workplace? Even<br />
better, give it a yellow theme, as this is the colour of our<br />
helicopter. You could bake cakes, have a coffee morning,<br />
organise an event or set yourselves a challenge and ask<br />
people to sponsor you.<br />
Our website, Facebook and Twitter pages will keep<br />
you up to date of our plans for the week, but in the<br />
meantime we hope you will speak to your school, group<br />
or workplace and get behind NAAW <strong>2016</strong>. Remember to<br />
let us know what you are planning so that we can give<br />
you all the support you need. Simply call: 01823 669604<br />
or email: info@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
Follow us on Facebook<br />
Help us increase our following by<br />
visiting our Facebook page.<br />
You can do this by logging into Facebook<br />
and searching for ‘<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong>’, or alternatively you can go to<br />
our website www.dsairambulance.org.uk and<br />
click on the Facebook logo at the top right of<br />
the page.<br />
Tweet!<br />
Follow us on Twitter:<br />
@dsairambulance<br />
Scan it!<br />
Our QR code (left) will direct<br />
you to the home page of<br />
the <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong><br />
<strong>Ambulance</strong> website.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 47
HELICOPTER CHARTER • PRIVATE TRANSFERS • WEDDINGS<br />
COASTAL TOURS • BESPOKE EVENTS • JET CHARTER ALSO AVAILABLE<br />
For more information please call or email us on:<br />
Tel: 01202 590 800 Email: info@bourne2fly.co.uk<br />
Web: www.bourne2fly.co.uk<br />
444 Viscount Road, Aviation Park West, Bournemouth <strong>Air</strong>port, Christchurch, <strong>Dorset</strong> BH23 6NW<br />
Untitled-1 13 18/03/2014 09:19
Kids’ page<br />
how you can help<br />
Young<br />
fundraiser<br />
extraordinaire!<br />
Eleven-year-old Caitlin Else, from Stalbridge School,<br />
decided to fundraise for the Charity after she was<br />
inspired by a customer fundraising at her parents’<br />
restaurant. At the event, Caitlin drew a picture of the<br />
EC135 helicopter, which was raffled off and raised £20.<br />
The lucky new owner of the picture decided to donate it<br />
back to the Charity where it proudly hangs at the airbase<br />
in Henstridge.<br />
That day sparked Caitlin’s interest in the air<br />
ambulance so much that she decided to support the<br />
Charity with a fundraising event at her school. With<br />
help from her mum and pupils at the school, Caitlin<br />
organised a pop-up café, which had a selection of<br />
scrumptious homemade cakes and a raffle with prizes<br />
donated by local businesses.<br />
Caitlin’s mum Nicki Else said: “The event was a real<br />
success! Everyone had such a brilliant time and the<br />
turnout was fantastic. Caitlin wanted to raise £200<br />
for <strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> so she was<br />
absolutely delighted to raise £480.” Definitely a young<br />
fundraiser in the making!<br />
Goodies travel 6,054<br />
miles to Bolivia<br />
Ronal is nearly 6 years old and lives in Bolivia with his<br />
parents, brothers and sisters. He walks to pre-school<br />
every day, which takes him about 30 minutes. Ronal is<br />
sponsored through World Vision by a man called Neil<br />
Herbert who we met at an event recently. Neil told us<br />
that, as part of Ronal’s birthday present, he sent him a<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> ambulance notebook and pen<br />
together with a Union Jack. In return, Neil has received a<br />
translated letter and photo of Ronal bearing the goodies.<br />
Thanks for flying our flag Ronal and we hope they help<br />
you with your studies!<br />
Making a difference<br />
1st Fosseway Beaver Scouts in Martock have been<br />
collecting stamps for months to help raise money for<br />
DSAA. This was for their Community Impact badge.<br />
Making a difference is such an important part of being<br />
a Beaver Scout. This badge gave them the chance to help<br />
other people in their local community and make the<br />
world a better place. Volunteers Jacky and John Crew are<br />
pictured with the scouts, after telling them more about<br />
the work of our air ambulance.<br />
<strong>Dorset</strong> and <strong>Somerset</strong> <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Ambulance</strong> @dsairambulance 49
letters<br />
Postbag<br />
Wedding present<br />
Please find enclosed cheques that were<br />
donated to us on the occasion of our<br />
diamond wedding anniversary. We hope<br />
this small amount will help a little with the<br />
wonderful work that you do.<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
Mr & Mrs GL Sollis<br />
Amazing!<br />
You took me to Salisbury Hospital in 1998. I<br />
would not be here today if it was not for the<br />
air ambulance. Thank you a million times.<br />
Amazing job you do!<br />
James Fowler<br />
@pow_rebecca Proud to support invaluable<br />
work of @dsairambulance.<br />
Rebecca Pow MP<br />
Christmas spirit<br />
Please find enclosed a cheque for £200<br />
for a Christmas donation on behalf of<br />
Smith and Williamson. I nominated your<br />
Charity for one of our Christmas donations,<br />
having been rescued by your incredible<br />
team several years ago after suffering a<br />
head trauma as a result of a horse-riding<br />
accident. Without the help of your team, I<br />
may well not be here today. Many thanks for<br />
all of the great work you do.<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
Amber Burridge<br />
Festive cheer<br />
Each Christmas here in the villages of<br />
Coleford, Holcombe, Leigh on Mendip and<br />
Chantry, the Phillips family and friends<br />
have been visiting with their Christmas<br />
float, giving out chocolates to the children.<br />
We do not knock on doors, but if parents<br />
wish to donate then all donations received<br />
are given to various charities. This year<br />
we decided to include your Charity as one<br />
of the recipients of any donations. I am<br />
pleased to be able to include with this<br />
letter a cheque for £350.<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
E W Phillip (for the Phillips family and<br />
friends)<br />
Respect<br />
Fantastic, without doubt you saved my<br />
husband’s life after a serious paragliding<br />
accident in 2012. Much respect x<br />
Lindsey Jolliffe<br />
Please find enclosed a cheque for £130. My<br />
wife and I have just celebrated our 25th<br />
wedding anniversary, we had a collection<br />
for the Charity instead of presents. I<br />
hope that you can put it to good use and<br />
continue saving lives.<br />
Best wishes,<br />
Jeff and Anna Davis<br />
If it wasn’t for the air ambulance’s speedy<br />
response and treatment, my dad wouldn’t<br />
be here today!<br />
Natalie Haimes<br />
The Phillips family’s<br />
float helped to raise<br />
£350 for DSAA<br />
My family can’t thank you enough for<br />
saving my brother!<br />
Aaron Barclay<br />
We’d love to hear from you!<br />
Please send your letters to:<br />
DSAA, Landacre House, Castle Road,<br />
Chelston Business Park, Wellington TA21 9JQ,<br />
or email: info@dsairambulance.org.uk<br />
50 01823 669604 | www.dsairambulance.org.uk
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Untitled-4 13 20/03/2014 11:05
Untitled-3 13 02/09/2013 16:27