Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance - Saving Lives - Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance

The yellow Bölkow 105 helicopter is based at RAF Benson and answers lifesaving 999 calls. Covering the Thames Valley area including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and some parts of Northamptonshire, the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance carries lifesaving equipment and highly-trained crew to areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.

At the Business in Berkshire Apprentice event on Monday 23rd April, Stevie Horton of the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust told attendees about the important work carried out by the air ambulance rescue team.

In one case, a lady on her way to work was involved in a serious road traffic accident, resulting in a broken neck. Thanks to the prompt response of the air ambulance, she went on to make an amazing and full recovery.

In another case, an innocent (and, you’d think, harmless) country walk turned into a disaster for one young father and his 2 children. In a fluke accident, he was trampled by a frightened cow, resulting in horrific chest injuries. Again, the rapid response of the air ambulance saved the patient’s life. In this instance he was literally about 2 minutes away from death at the time of rescue; he too has made an excellent recovery.

The Air Ambulance is crewed by a pilot and two paramedics. Although the paramedics are provided by the NHS; all other costs must be funded by the Trust. The helicopter is operated in daylight hours and is on call seven days a week to airlift patients to hospital in the crucial ‘Golden Hour’ following an accident. To-date, the helicopter has answered almost 8000 emergency calls within the Thames Valley area, saving lives.

Fuelling the helicopter costs £75 per hour – enough for up to 3 emergency calls. It’s also a manageable amount to sponsor, so if you or your business is interested in helping to save lives by sponsoring the air ambulance service, please get in touch.

http://www.businessinberkshire.co.uk/airambulancetvac/index.html

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