Golf Day Raises £20,000
Over £20,000 was raised at the County Air Ambulance Trust Golf Day held at the Welcombe Golf Club in memory of Thomas Knight whose life was tragically taken in a road traffic accident in March last year. Organised by Thomas's mother, Lesley Bougourd and Steve Benton of Steve Benton Transport, 20 teams took part in the event which was sponsored by Volvo Trucks and attended by a number of celebrities including Paul Broadhurst, Gareth Barry and John Francome.
Thomas was air-lifted with his mother to Birmingham Children’s Hospital by the Air Ambulance where all possible efforts to save his life were made. Lesley is now focussing her attention on raising funds for the HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal to ensure that all hospitals in the Central region have suitable helipad access in the future.
Lesley praised Steve Benton and Ian Mitchell for their sponsorship and support and for all the time they have given to ensure this year was such a success. “We are already planning next year’s golf day and hope it will be even more successful.” added Lesley.
Work Commences on Helipad at
Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital
The construction of a new helipad, to be used mainly for patients with spinal injuries, is currently underway at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust. The County Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT), the Midlands independent air ambulance charity formed in 1993, is funding the new improved landing and transfer facilities, including lighting for night time arrivals.
Tony Bateson, Director of the County Air Ambulance Trust explains, "Air ambulances are by far the most effective way of transporting critically injured or ill patients to the hospital most suited to their needs. Currently if an air ambulance takes a patient to the specialist spinal unit at Oswestry, the helicopter has to land in an adjacent sports field where the patient is then taken approximately 80 metres over poorly surfaced paths to the admissions area. A complete overhaul of these facilities including a smooth surface under cover route is to be commenced immediately."
Wendy Farrington Chadd, Chief Executive, the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust responded, "We are extremely grateful to the County Air Ambulance Trust for agreeing to overhaul our landing and transfer facilities. It will be of great benefit to patients arriving by air ambulance and will enhance their comfort when they arrive with critical injuries. The covered transfer area, which will be adjacent and provide access to our hydrotherapy pool, will be useful for patients and staff generally, protecting them from venturing outside in all weathers day and night. This is fantastic news for our patients."
The new helipad, which is being built on the site of the former tennis courts, will be completed by the end of June. By installing purpose designed helipad lighting, this will facilitate patients being brought during both night and daytime, thereby speeding up treatment and recovery.
Originally planned to support the West Midlands Ambulance Service when it pioneered helicopter emergency medical services in the early 1990s, wide ranging fundraising for the air ambulance service CAAT and other air ambulance charities has ensured, through money donated by individuals and local businesses, that the entire region once serviced by one helicopter now has the benefit of six air ambulances covering an area with a population of over eight million.
