Beeline: Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Magazine, Spring 2016

how people help
Our volunteers
We rely so much on our wonderful team
of volunteers – their dedication to the
Charity is amazing! Below we tell you
more about one of them
during extreme weather. A lady in the village was once
taken ill and there was a road accident at the top of the
lane that had blocked any access down to her home.
The air ambulance landed and came to her aid. I was
extremely comforted to know that in such a situation,
my family will have the security of having such a
wonderful, efficient emergency service available to
them should they need it.
“A local solicitor in Broadstone helped me leave
a legacy to the Charity in my will. It was really
straightforward. I have four children; three daughters
and one son. Obviously my home will be equally shared
between them all and when I told them I had left a small
gift to DSAA, they didn’t question it one little bit.
“I am lucky to have been so looked after by the medical
profession over the years. It gives me great satisfaction
to know that in my legacy, someone else’s life might be
saved or they will be looked after as well as I have been.
Knowing that my children have the security of such a
wonderful service as Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
in the future and the fact that I have played a part makes
me feel very proud.”
Joy Whittingham
Joy Whittingham worked in
private medical insurance for
more than 25 years. In 2010,
she sadly lost her husband
to a brain tumour and, after
becoming semi-retired,
decided that she wanted
a new direction in life and
wanted to donate some of
her time to a local charity that
helped others. In 2013, she
applied to become a Dorset
and Somerset Air Ambulance
volunteer.
The first time we met Joy,
she was a breath of fresh
air and boy could she talk!
Immediately, we identified how
well she would be received
within the community. She was
confident, presented herself
impeccably and her delightful
smile would be welcomed by
many.
Nearly three years on, Joy
services a large number
of the Charity’s collection
boxes, attends events and
cheque presentations on our
behalf and delivers talks to
audiences of all sizes. Her
talks are extremely popular
and with enthusiasm, passion
and commitment, Joy wows
audiences with her great
charisma.
It seems to be in her nature
to constantly look for ways
to improve her engagement
with members of the public.
For example, earlier this year
Joy welcomed Peggy Sutton
as a new volunteer to the
area. Peggy experienced the
work of the Charity when she
was involved in a road traffic
incident that left her with lifechanging
injuries. Together
they joined forces and Joy
now includes time within her
presentation for Peggy to tell
her story, in her own words.
This innovative approach,
together with Joy’s willingness
and determination to deliver
every element of the Charity’s
work in detail, has had an
extremely positive impact
across the board. Despite
her busy schedule, Joy
endeavours to support us at
every opportunity possible
and we feel extremely lucky to
have her as part of our team.
Need advice? Please get in touch
If you have any questions about leaving a gift
in your will or would like to tell us why you’ve
already left a gift to the Charity, we would be
delighted to hear from you. We can help
answer any general questions, provide advice
and give you the important information you
need to know.
Simply contact us today by telephone, post or
email via the details shown on the right.
Contact:
Julie Plowden
julie.plowden@dsairambulance.org.uk
Charlotte Routley
charlotte.routley@dsairambulance.org.uk
Telephone: 01823 669604
Post: Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance,
Landacre House, Chelston Business Park,
Castle Road, Wellington, TA21 9JQ
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance @dsairambulance 33