After visiting Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, he said:
"I had a fantastic time with Essex & Herts Air Ambulance to learn more about the charity and how they save lives across Essex, Hertfordshire and in fact wherever they’re called to help those in need.
It was instantly clear to me that this is a huge operation and their numbers really confirm that. Thy have to raise £16 million a year for their operations and pay the salaries of 150 staff from that and run the helicopters. Their 450 volunteers are also amazing.
I can tell you that their staff are the best, as is the training they offer to professionals and the community, and they consistently save lives by getting patients quickly to hospital.
I loved seeing the tributes and comments from people they’ve saved all over the walls as a constant reminder for them as to why they do what they do. And it was clear to me that they love what they do too.
"Naturally, they had me putting my CPR skills to use and, of course, I learned something new too. Women are 20% less likely to receive CPR, meaning more die unnecessarily every year. That’s why I’m backing Bra Off Defib On to help save the lives of women. Each minute that passes by for a patient not receiving CPR, they are 10% more likely to die. If you want to learn more about this, you can check out the campaign’s website here: https://braoffdefibon.co.uk/
I also learned that, unless you are a professional and experienced with managing an airway, which I am not, it’s better to maintain regular chest compressions rather than pausing to perform two breaths. I didn’t know this, but it’s amazing how medical practices have changed even in the last 10 years. Just do chest compressions to the tune of “staying alive” or “eye of the tiger” and switch over with a friend when you get tired (if possible).
I’ve been helping the charity with issues surrounding helipads at Basildon Hospital and across their operational area. I’m pleased that the hospital’s helipad will be getting the upgrade they need, as this will directly help patients get to the Cardiothoracic Centre there, which has saved so many lives too.
A huge challenge for the charity is to fund their activities and they need every penny to keep them going. Even a drop in any kind of service they provide will really impact the survivability of patients.
You can help support them though in many ways, and I’m so grateful to those in Basildon and Billericay that already do.
Ways you can support financially if you are able and want to:
1. In a will. You can also provide a gift in your Will which plays a vital role in helping Essex & Herts Air Ambulance provide its emergency care across Essex, Hertfordshire, and surrounding areas. Currently 1 in 4 of their missions are funded this way and each gift, regardless of size, will help make that future generations will continue to have access to this life-saving service. For more information, visit: https://www.ehaat.org/support-us/gifts-in-wills/
2. Monthly donation. You can provide regular monthly donations to give them a reliable source of income, helping fund daily operations, specialist medical equipment, crew training and ongoing innovation in patient care. Even modest monthly contributions can make a significant difference, enabling the charity to respond to critically ill and injured patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Click here for more info: https://www.ehaat.org/support-us/donate/monthly-giving/
3. The Air Ambulance lottery. They also run a lottery which offers supporters a simple way to contribute while having the chance to win cash prizes. From just £1 per week, participants are entered into a weekly draw, with proceeds helping to fund the charity's helicopters, rapid response vehicles and specialist clinical teams. The lottery generates vital unrestricted income, allowing EHAAT to direct funds wherever they are needed most.
Check out the link here: https://www.ehaat.org/support-us/lottery/
4. They also have a charity shop in Basildon Town Centre, so please think about supporting them by purchasing some items from there too.
Everyone knows how amazing their work is and you never know when you might need them, so please, please think about supporting them, no matter how big or small, so they can continue savings lives."
