Saving Lives


Most of us have looked up to the skies and seen the red air ambulance fly past and wondered what incident had taken place. Jo Bailey from the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity gave a very informative talk on this invaluable service and an insight into how the service operates.

The charity is responsible for funding and operating three air ambulances serving the people of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. The Midlands Air Ambulance is the largest air ambulance patrol in the UK. Since 1991, the charity has completed more than 38,000 missions which averages at 3,000 per year or 10 each day. Occasionally  the flight crews are stood down  for reasons such as a land ambulance is nearer to an accident and arrives first on the scene to assess the situation. The air ambulance is then released to be utilised elsewhere. The charity has three aircraft which are leased from a company that also service the aircraft and the leasing company always ensure that three aircraft are always available.  Each helicopter can fly 140 mph and become airborne in 2 minutes. Two casualties can be transported by each aircraft although it is more usually one. Each aircraft carries a crew comprising of pilot, two paramedics or flight doctors plus full life-support medical equipment. The three strategically placed bases are at Strensham, Tatenhill and Cosford.

The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity receives no Government or National Lottery funding. Six million pounds is required each year to keep the three air ambulances operational. Money for this is donated entirely by the public and local businesses, with four in ten of those people helped, funded by gifts in wills. In a typical year, over 1,000 road traffic accidents are dealt with. Sporting injuries in rugby and other contact sports also are responded to. If a patient reaches hospital within 60 minutes  of injury (referred to as the golden hour) their chances of survival  are dramatically increased.

The charity is lucky to count on fantastic public support and good will and fundraising can be by various means. It can be as simple as cake-baking to sky diving. There are lots of opportunities to set personal challenges within the fundraising framework. Volunteers are always needed to deliver talks or find new locations for the expanding tin collection scheme. The charity has opened its first charity shop in Telford. This has proved to be highly successful and there is a possibility of another one opening soon.

The aircraft are only allowed to fly during the hours of daylight, a rule imposed by the leasing company. The pilot also has the last say in whether conditions are OK to fly in. Consequently, the charity is considering purchasing a 4x4 response vehicle which is able to operate when the helicopter cannot. Jo was a very informative and inspiring speaker, and with Tatenhill being 'just up the road' for most of us we now know a little bit more about the charity.

During the meeting we heard about two visits made by members. A small group had been to London, to visit Kew gardens, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace, a trip organised by County. Our visit in the summer to Melbourne Hall was also reported.

The October meeting will see Helen York talking on 'Craft with Heart Felt'. This is on Wednesday the 9th in the Parish Hall. Visitors are very welcome. For more information please contact Penny Bailey on the link below