Helicopter celebrates a happy birthday

     Aircrews past and present bravely donned their red flight suits in soaring temperatures to meet and greet families, talk with invited dignitaries, and even catch up with past patients during the event at Hylands House, near Chelmsford, on Wednesday.
    Joining them were Jim and Marianne Smith, John Nicholls, Paul Frost and John Bowen who set up an information stall - with Marianne challenging dozens of young passers-by to guess the body parts in a dummy, and test out some equipment. The team were also called upon to provide some much needed first aid, ranging from bee and wasp stings to the usual ailments brought on by a day in the heat.
     Following a presentation to the aircrews and speeches by VIP supporters, the helicopter itself made its grand entrance and once on the ground, excitable youngsters clambered aboard to flick switches and ask staff questions.
     The ambulance service's interim chief locality operating officer Neil Storey visited the event, and said: “The air ambulance plays a significant part to patient care in the county, and the contribution our paramedics make is second to none.      
     “This event was a great opportunity to celebrate that, and gave a fantastic chance for the public to learn and appreciate just what is involved in running the whole operation."
     Jim added: “The stall was really busy; we were handing out first aid books which went very quickly and I don’t think I’ve ever dealt with so many patients suffering from stings all at once!”
 

ENDS
Please note that Jim and Marianne work in the Chelmsford area, Paul Frost and John Bowen work out of Southend, and John Nicholls is at Colchester.
The picture shows some of the aircrews with Essex Lord Lietenant Lord Petre.
Back L-R: Barry Fogg (Southend area); Steve Wheaton (former EEAST manager); Lord Petre; Neil Storey; Chris Allen (Southend); Karl Edwards (headquarters);
Front: L-R Laurie Phillipson (Southend area); Clive Parnham (Saffron Walden); Neil Peachey (Harlow); Steve Dennehy (Colchester); Robbie Robinson (Colchester); Richard Mackie (Southend area); Rob Atkins (Thurrock area)

Notes for editors
The East of England Ambulance Service provides paramedics to fly onboard the Essex Air Ambulance. The communications office can answer enquiries on all operational aspects of the air ambulance i.e the incidents it attendeds.
For further information on the event and other aspects of the air ambulance, please contact the charity on 01787 221828.