Nottingham has been served by the Nottingham and Lincolnshire Air Ambulance since 1997 after the coverage area was extended from Lincolnshire. We at Andy1st are supporting this worthwhile charity as its services are totally reliant on donations. Being on the roads as much as we are as driving instructors we see, first hand, the potential dangers and the tremendous help and assistance provided by our ground emergency services and the Air Ambulance. In 2009/2010 the Air Ambulance attended 900 life-saving missions and they completed their 10,000th mission on 6th March 2008. This work can only continue with the kindness of our volunteers and fundraisers.
In the initial stages, the Air Ambulance was utilised by Lincolnshire hospitals to transfer sick and wounded patients to the various specific care units in the area. After a group of consultants had proposed the idea, the Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Service quickly identified the benefits that these shorter journeys and smoother rides were having on patients. So, it was recommended that the medical air service should be used to attend accidents in one of the largest rural counties in England. The rapid response coupled with a safer, comfier ride to hospital meant overall care for accident victims was enhanced. It added so much more to the already outstanding care the ground emergency services provided.
There then came questions on how to keep this service going and how it was to be funded. Many committees were set up with the intention of creating a charity in order to fund the flights and equipment. Across England and Wales there are now 18 dedicated Air Ambulance operations and no fewer than 29 helicopters. Every single one is totally dependent upon charitable support.
The Air Ambulance delivers a critical and vital additional patient care service for the most critically ill and injured accident victims. It is based at RAF Waddington and because it is not hampered by traffic jams, slow moving country roads, lorries or trucks or road works, the helicopter can reach any destination in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire in 19 minutes.
Please help us at Andy1st to support this valuable service as the service needs £1.7 million a year to keep it flying. If you have some spare time and can help in some way – please do. There are a number of charity shops in the area that need your unwanted items and also dedicated volunteers to man them. They are always in need of help with the dedicated collection days and the delivering and retrieval of the collection boxes. There are many events taking place over the coming months all across the County so please go and see for yourself the amazing helicopter and its dedicated staff. Alternatively, you can donate in one of the following ways:
Text FLY to 80039. Texts are charged at £1.50 plus your standard network rate with at least 86p going to Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
Or click the following link to donate via the just giving website:
http://www.justgiving.com/air-ambulance
Please do what you can to support this vital life- saving work. Visit http://www.ambucopter.org.uk/ for more details.
Thank you.
Andy1st driving school supports the Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.
