August 21 2007 Chiddingfoldnews

Sponsored walk to Dunsfold via Spain!

John Tickner, Surrey Air Ambulance Operations Manager, Matthew McIntyre and his fellow walker.

Matthew McIntyre and his walking buddies, Nick Gee and Michael Freestone were inspired by the serious high speed crash involving TV presenter Richard Hammond, to take up an amazing challenge to help raise money for the Surrey Air Ambulance.

Their mission is to walk to Bilbao in Spain from, Surrey. This will be a 711 mile walk over three countries and they are aiming to reach their destination within 50 days.

Matthew explained, �The air ambulance service that helped out Richard Hammond was there in less then 5 minutes of the phone call being made, without them who knows what could have happened to everyone�s favourite presenter. The speedy response of the air ambulance has inspired my fellow walkers and I to help out the Surrey Air Ambulance, which was recently launched at Dunsfold from where it can reach any part of the county within 10 minutes.�

Julie Jenkinson Surrey County Fundraiser said �I think they are remarkable, it�s great to have such support from the younger generation two of whom will have just turned 18 at the start of the walk and depending on speeds Michael may turn 18 on the walk. Please show your support and help them reach their target of £1,500 for the Surrey Air Ambulance.�

The walk started on 23rd June 2007, if you would like to sponsor Matthew, Nick and Michael to help them achieve their mission then please visit www.justgiving/surreyairambulance and click on Matthew�s name or contact Julie on 07843 336720 or further details please visit the website at www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE - 31/07/07

Surrey Schools are winners of Air Ambulance!

Five lucky schools in Surrey won a visit by the newly launched Surrey Air Ambulance recently. Schools across Surrey were invited to take part in a free draw with St Peter�s Primary Farnham, Woking High School Woking, Powell Cordery Primary School Dorking, St Nicholas Redhill and St Ann�s Heath Junior Virginia Water being the lucky winners.

St Peter�s Primary received their visit on Tuesday 24th July and Sue Firth Headteacher said �The staff and children were absolutely thrilled to see the air ambulance approaching and a huge cheer went up when the team landed in our top field. All two hundred children met the pilot and crew and had the chance to ask questions about the helicopter and about the sort of incidents that the crew are called out to. We were all delighted that St Peter's School was selected for this visit and it was a truly memorable experience. Thank you all so much�

Julie Jenkinson Surrey County Fundraiser said �We were delighted to offer this unique opportunity to the schools as a way of introducing Surrey�s first Air Ambulance. The crew have had a thoroughly enjoyable time visiting the schools and have been amazed by the questions they received and the level of understanding the children showed.

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 06/07/07

Air Ambulance needs a van!

Surrey Air Ambulance is looking for transport, but on the ground this time!

The charity, which operates a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, attends events all over the County to raise awareness and funds for the Air Ambulance. They are looking for a business partner to help them to set up a stock delivery and collection service to volunteers throughout Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

Head of Fundraising Jill Playle said �We are lucky to have a number of volunteers in the South East who attend around two hundred events a year for us, but because we now cover Surrey, East and West Sussex as well as Kent with two helicopters, it is increasingly difficult for us to be able to deliver stock to the volunteers and pick it up after the event over such a large area. Using a van to transport the stock from place to place would be the best solution and a great opportunity for a company to market their own business across the four Counties and be associated with the life saving charity�.

The new Air Ambulance was launched in June following two years of fundraising and in its first month of operation answered nearly sixty emergency calls. The charity does not receive any government or national lottery funding and relies solely on donations to raise the £3 million a year that it needs to survive.

If you would like to see how your company could benefit from a business relationship with Surrey Air Ambulance either by loaning, leasing or donating a small van which their own branding on, please contact Jill Playle on 01622 833833 or email her at Jillp@kaat.org.uk

Surrey Air Ambulance Fund 01622 833833; www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

Back to Top

Rally rallies support for Air Ambulances!

Harley-Davidson® owners attending the 4th annual South of England Rally at the National Shooting Centre at Bisley in Surrey over the first weekend in August raised an incredible £2,319 in support of Air Ambulance operations in the South East.

The rally saw five local chapters of the Harley Owners Group come together and help to save lives by raising vital funds for the Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulances.  

David Lewis,Rally Manager, said: �We are particularly pleased to be able to help the Air Ambulances of our region. An Air Ambulance can literally mean the difference between life and death for anybody injured on our roads, but they have a special significance for us because as motorcyclists we are much more at risk of serious injury if we are involved in a road traffic accident. Many people do not realise that the Air Ambulances rely entirely on charitable donations from the public to fund their flying operations. We adopted these Air Ambulances as our official rally charity in 2006 because their operational area maps cover the territory of the 5 chapters that organise the rally, and we hope to be able to continue supporting them for many years to come.�

Surrey County Fundraiser for the Air Ambulances, Julie Jenkinson, added �Everybody had a great time at the rally. This is the second year that the Air Ambulances have benefited from being the official rally charity and we could not have been more delighted.

Our thanks go to the rally organisers for inviting us, to Harley-Davidson® Europe and Harley Rider Insurance Services for their great support, to the Harley-Davidson® dealerships and other traders who donated prizes to our raffle, and to all the rally-goers who bought raffle tickets.�

For further information about the event visit www.sofer.uk.com

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 29/8/07

Help Save Lives!!

Surrey Air Ambulance was launched on the 9th June 2007 this is the first time Surrey has had its own dedicated Air Ambulance service and in order for the county to continue benefiting from this vital life saving service we need volunteers.

Julie Jenkinson County Fundraiser said �We are looking for people who can spare just a few hours a month in their local area to help organise or help at events, place and empty collection boxes, attend cheque presentations or carry out talks, if you would like to find out more then come along to our volunteers �drop in� on Tuesday 11th September at the base on Dunsfold Park�

Induction and training is given to all volunteers and expenses are paid.

An Air Ambulance saves lives by saving time, flying with a doctor and paramedic to the scene of the medical emergency, bypassing congested roads and reaching inaccessible places. Receiving no funds from the government or the national lottery we need to raise £750,000 a year � and you could help.

If you can spare a few hours and want to make a difference in your County contact Julie Jenkinson Surrey County Fundraiser on 07843 336720 or email her on juliej@kaat.org.uk

Shooting Stars!

Celebrity, Bernard Cribbins is hosting a Charity shoot for the Surrey Air Ambulance.
The event will be held at Bisley Shooting Ground, Europe�s leading shooting school on Friday September 28.
Bernard Cribbins who is a keen shot will be leading one of the teams on the day.

The new Surrey Air Ambulance started flying in June from a new base at Dunsfold Park. The helicopter carries a specialist doctor and paramedic directly to the scene of medical emergencies, at speeds of up to 150mph so that they can treat the patient and fly them on to the most appropriate hospital.

Jill Playle Head of Fundraising for the Air Ambulance said � Bernard Cribbins is a well known and loved celebrity and we are very grateful for his support. As a resident of Surrey he appreciates the vital difference that the Air Ambulance can make in the County in cases of serious trauma. Hosting this Charity Shoot will help us to raise the necessary funds to keep the helicopter flying and save lives.�

Teams of four are invited to take part in the Charity Shoot, which will include refreshments, clays, cartridges and end with a two course lunch with prizes for the best team and shot of the day.

To book in a team or for more information, ring 01622 833833 or visit the web site www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

Surrey Air Ambulance Fund 01622 833833; www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

Back to Top

Man hit by two trains!

Surrey Air Ambulance was called to a serious incident on Wednesday afternoon,
when a man in his thirties was hit by two trains at Leatherhead railway station.

The man believed to be a railway worker was dragged 100 metres down the line and suffered severe head, chest and limb injuries

and lost critical amounts of blood.
The Air Ambulance arrived in ten minutes from their base at Dunsfold where the crew gave the man intensive care at the scene.

This was one of the most serious incidents that the Air Ambulance has attended since it launched at the new base in June.

Zane Perkins, the specialist doctor from the Air Ambulance said �This was probably the most demanding challenge that we have faced so far on the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) unit because he had multiple critical injuries.

The man was transported to a dedicated trauma unit in London where his condition is critical.

Surrey Air Ambulance is funded entirely by public donations and receives no funding from the government or national lottery.

Surrey Air Ambulance Fund 01622 833833; www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

The Air Ambulance service in Kent, Surrey and Sussex costs around £3 million annually to stay airborne. Receiving no funds from the government or the National Lottery the charity is entirely dependent upon the generosity of the public to support the two helicopters, based at Marden and Dunsfold.

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 3/10/07

Big shots rein in the money!

A charity shoot hosted by celebrity Bernard Cribbins took place at Bisley Shooting Ground last Friday.
The shoot was in support of the new Surrey Air Ambulance which launched at Dunsfold on June 8th this year. Friendly rivalry between the teams bought out a competitive spirit in the �guns� who were competing for the titles of �Best Team� and �Best Shot�.

Bernard Cribbins said �The day went very well and although there was fierce competition amongst the more experienced shooters, it was all very friendly and good natured. As a resident of Surrey, I am well aware of the need for an Air Ambulance in the County and I was very pleased to be able to support the charity�.

The day was sponsored by White & Co Estate Agents and generated over £11,500 for the Surrey Air Ambulance who intend to repeat the event next year and encourage even more teams to take part.

Since its launch Surrey Air Ambulance has flown over 100 missions. Next month the current helicopter will be upgraded to an MD 902 Explorer, a sister helicopter to the one flown in Kent by the Air Ambulance.

Chief Executive David Philpott said �It is the first charity shoot we have ever taken part in and we are very grateful to Bernard for his support. Surrey Air Ambulance is funded entirely by voluntary donations and events like this help us to raise both awareness of the charity and valuable funds�.

If you would like to find out more about Surrey Air Ambulance visit www.surreyairambulance.co.uk or to register for next years charity shoot, please ring 01622 833833.

Photo Bernard Cribbins with his team.

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE �08/10/07

White & Sons supporting the Surrey Air Ambulance Fund

Following several successful joint fund raising efforts during the first half of 2007, White & Sons are delighted to announce Surrey Air Ambulance as their nominated charity for the forthcoming year.
Andrew Farrant, Senior Partner of White & Sons Estate Agents says, �We became involved with The Surrey Air Ambulance at the end of 2006 and have already supported them in their incredibly successful June 2007 Air Aid Ball. The Surrey Air Ambulance is a remarkably worthwhile charity, yet they do not recieve Government or National Lottery funding. The support of the public is therefore vital to their success.�
Julie Jenkinson, County Fundraiser, says �We feel very privileged that White & Sons have chosen us as their nominated charity, particularly as this is the first time they have focused their efforts on one main cause. We have already received fantastic support from White & Sons, who were instrumental in the success of the Air Aid Ball, which raised an amazing £53,500. It is a pleasure to work with such committed people and our thanks go to Andrew, his partners and staff for championing us�.

Photo: L to R: Martin Bird (Branch Manager),
Julie Jenkinson, County Fundraiser Surrey Air Ambulance,
Sarah Heaver (Sales Progressor),
Suzannah Phillips (Negotiator), Anna Conley (Negotiator)

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 16/10/07

HIGH FLYING CHARITY SUPPORTED BY LOCAL BUSINESS

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 18/10/07

Early Christmas present for Surrey

The life saving Air Ambulance service for Surrey took delivery of its new helicopter on Saturday. The state of the art MD 902 Explorer is a sister helicopter to the one based at Marden which serves Kent and is fitted with the latest medical and electronic mapping equipment.

The service was launched in June this year with a Bolkow helicopter, following a successful appeal to bring a dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to the County.

Operations manager John Tickner said �It has always been our intention to upgrade the helicopter to an Explorer. There are very few of this type of aircraft available and we are delighted to have finally taken delivery. The unique no tail rotor design, higher payload and more cabin space and of course its speed make it a much better aircraft for Air Ambulance work.�

Surrey Air Ambulance which augments the existing emergency medical services in the county has answered over 200 medical emergencies since June with its specialist doctor and critical care paramedic.

You can take a virtual tour of the new helicopter by visiting the website at www.surreyairanbulance.co.uk

www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 21/1/08

AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY SEEKS
MARATHON RUNNERS

Are you a winner in the London Marathon ballot? Ever thought about running for a charity? How about pounding those miles on behalf of Surrey Air Ambulance and raising pounds to help save lives!

County Fundraiser for the Surrey Air Ambulance Julie Jenkinson asks �If you have a place in this year�s London Marathon or indeed any marathon please do consider the Surrey Air Ambulance as your charity to raise funds for. We started flying in June 2007 and have since flown around 300 missions. This we can only do with the generosity of the public as Surrey Air Ambulance does not receive any government of national lottery funding.�

For your fundraising pack please contact, Surrey County Fundraiser, Julie Jenkinson on 07843 336720 or for more information please visit the website www.surreyairambulance.co.uk
www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 28/1/08

CHAMPAGNE CHARITY

International Wine & Spirit Competition has generously donated the proceeds from a recent auction of fine wines to the Surrey Air Ambulance. The company who are based on the same site as the newly formed Helicopter Emergency Medical Service raised £3,450 for the charity.

Frances, Competition Director said: �The IWSC is delighted to support this special charity who perform a most worthwhile service, anyone of us could benefit from it at anytime�

The organizers of the auction, Frances Horder and Bev Steer who visited the Air Ambulance and met the crew, presented a cheque to the life saving charity. 

County Fundraiser for the Surrey Air Ambulance, Julie Jenkinson said �It is always a delight to welcome people to the base who have taken the time to raise money for us, £3,450 is a fantastic amount and especially nice when they bring the champagne too!�

Photo from left to right: Dr Jeremy Smith, Frances Horder, IWSC Competition Director, Julie Jenkinson, Surrey County Fundraiser, Bev Steer, IWSC Competition Manager, Gordon Clark, Paramedic, Peter Driver, Pilot

Back to Top

PRESS RELEASE � 11/3/08

Local Business Group show support for Air Ambulance
at Guildford Flames Game

BNI Guildford recently organised an Ice hockey evening with the sole intention of raising funds for the Surrey Air Ambulance. Barry Starling, Charity Co-ordinator for the group said �The event was a huge success with over 46 people attending, in total we managed to raise just over £1000 on the night. BNI Guildford, as a group, is very proud to have adopted the Surrey Air Ambulance as their chosen charity, and we are looking forward to further events�

The game between the Guildford Flames and the Peterborough Phantoms was an exciting battle towards the league crown and finished in an exciting 4-2 win for the Guildford Flames.

Julie Jenkinson County Fundraiser for the Surrey Air Ambulance said �It was a great night with the Flames skating to victory! David Philpott, Chief Executive of the Air Ambulance presented the �Man of the Match� award to Joe Watkins, Net Minder for the Flames. BNI Guildford raised a fantastic £1,000, the cost of a flight, which could mean that they have saved one life. We are very grateful to them for choosing us for their �Charity for the Year� and to Kirk Humphreys of the Flames for providing the boxes on the night.�
 
 BNI Guildford meets at Merrist Wood Golf Club for breakfast on Wednesdays. For more information visit www.bniguildford.com

Surrey Air Ambulance Fund 01622 833833; www.surreyairambulance.co.uk

BNI   Business Network International is a "Business Referral Organisation" that allows only one person from each trade or profession to join a chapter

Back to Top