24 hours in A&E

An award-winning TV documentary is to feature the life-saving work of the doctors and paramedics who fly on the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulances.

The first episode in the new series of Channel 4’s 24 hours in A&E started last week (May 16^th) and told the patient stories of Kevin from Kent and Sarah from Brighton.

Kevin was helping a friend when he fell about 8ft from scaffolding in Meopham and suffered serious head, chest and spinal injuries.

Dr Dan Roberts and critical care paramedic Chris Fudge anaesthetised him and carried out chest surgery at the scene – skills usually performed in hospital.

The father-of-four was flown to the major trauma centre at King’s College Hospital where 91 cameras filmed round the clock, offering unprecedented access to one of Britain’s busiest A&E departments.

Kevin was in a critical condition following his accident in January but 24 hours in A&E charts his amazing recovery from severe brain damage, 10 broken ribs and a broken collarbone.

He said: “To still be here now makes me feel a bit like a Superman character because 99 out of 100 people wouldn’t be sitting here now. It’s just unbelievable really.

“They had to do major surgery to relieve the pressure on my brain so I’m incredibly lucky.”

Sarah, from Brighton, sustained a severe head injury after falling from her pushbike as she swerved to avoid a pedestrian.

Clinical Lead Dr Malcolm Russell, Dr Magnus Nelson and critical care paramedic David Wright anaesthetised her at the road-side and flew her to King’s in just 20 minutes. The journey would have taken twice as long by road.

She also suffered brain damage and was transferred to the hospital’s intensive care unit but has since made a good recovery.

She said: “I don’t remember the crash and I lost the best part of four days. Most people who get these injuries are dead. These injuries normally kill people.”

24 hours in A&E is on every Wednesday at 9pm and recently won a Royal Television Society Award.

This week’s episode features the story of a horse rider who was crushed between a fence and her horse after it was spooked in Sittingbourne.

More winners in Mid-Summer Draw

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance has raised the prize fund in its 2012 Mid-Summer Draw with one lucky winner guaranteed to scoop the jackpot of £5,000.

The draw will take place on June 21st with the runner-up receiving a second prize of £1,000. And there will now be a third prize of £250 followed by five further prizes of £50, making a total prize pool of £6,500.

The life-saving charity’s 2011 Christmas Draw raised more than £170,000. Each call-out by the helicopter costs about £2,500, so the sum raised was enough to potentially save 68 lives.

Head of Lottery Katie Underdown said: “Our raffles are a major part of our annual fundraising plan which help to raise the £5million needed each year to keep both helicopters operational.

“Relying almost entirely on public donations, it is through the incredible generosity of our supporters that we are able to continue to provide this essential service to everyone living, working and travelling in the counties every day.”

This year’s Mid-Summer Draw was launched by 250cc British Grasstrack Champion Craig Drury, from Sevenoaks, who was saved by the Air Ambulance following a racing incident at Collier Street last September.

He said: “We would be truly grateful if you could do a little extra to help the Air Ambulance by purchasing or selling raffle tickets.

“Your support means that they can continue to help many more people like myself in unexpected and traumatic circumstances. It is through kind donations and funds raised from draw tickets that enabled the Air Ambulance to save my life.”

Raffle tickets cost just £1 each in books of 10 and can be ordered by calling 01622 833802. The closing date for the draw is June 14th. 

Run a half marathon and help save lives

Runners are being urged to get out of the starting blocks and claim 10 free Kent Air Ambulance charity places for this year’s Tonbridge Half Marathon.

The life-saving charity has again been chosen to benefit from this year’s run which takes place on Sunday, September 23^rd.

Runners who take the 10 free places must apply by Friday, June 29^th, and will be expected to raise a minimum sponsorship of just £100.

Dame Kelly Holmes started last year’s inaugural event which raised funds for a number of charities including the Air Ambulance.

The helicopter carries a specialist doctor and critical care paramedic who can carry out advanced medical procedures at the scene of an accident or emergency, giving patients the best chance and quality of survival.

The emergency service relies almost entirely on public donations and needs £5million a year to keep both helicopters flying. Each call-out costs about £2,500.

If you would like to take up one of the free places or more information call Kent Air Ambulance Fundraising Manager Cheryl Johnson on 07738 486633 or email cherylj@kssairambulance.org.uk.

Be a winner in Air Ambulance lottery

An Epsom mother is planning a holiday to the Canary Islands this summer after wining the top prize of £1,000 in Surrey Air Ambulance’s charity lottery.

Katharine Johnston, of Moormead Drive, joined the midweek draw after her son was airlifted to hospital by the Air Ambulance in Cornwall.

She forgot about her £8-a-month subscription until her she received a call to say she had won the jackpot in last Wednesday’s draw.

She said: “I wasn’t aware until I signed up to the lottery that the Air Ambulance is almost entirely self-funded. I’m very impressed by what they do, having had first-hand experience.

“When my son had his accident it took the helicopter about 10 minutes to get to hospital but it took his girlfriend more than an hour to drive there.”

Surrey Air Ambulance’s regular lottery costs just £1 a week with 12 weekly winners of amounts ranging from £25 to £1,000.

The charity also has a Superdraw, which costs an additional £1 a week, and the maximum jackpot is £25,000 – a life-changing amount. To join, call 01622 833808.

Be a winner in Superdraw

An Englefield Green grandmother has won the jackpot of almost £20,000 in Surrey Air Ambulance’s charity lottery after picking her lucky numbers based on family birthdays.

The winner, who does not want to be named, scooped the top prize in the Superdraw with numbers 8, 18, 21 and 30 in last Wednesday’s draw.

She now plans to buy a new car and take a two-week holiday to her dream destination in Cyprus.

She said: “Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. We won about £250 on the National Lottery nine years ago but nothing as big as this.

“My £8-a-month subscription has come in really handy and I had to ask the lady at the Air Ambulance how much I’d won, three times. I couldn’t believe I’d won £19,790.”

Surrey Air Ambulance’s regular lottery costs just £1 a week with 12 weekly winners of amounts ranging from £25 to £1,000.

For an extra £1 a week, players can join the Superdraw which has a maximum jackpot of £25,000 – a life-changing amount.

The charity has also launched scratchcards which cost £1 each and are available to purchase from the charity’s website www.kssairambulance.org.uk. Prizes range from £1 to £1,000 but players must be aged over 16.

Stroll along to see Dr Dudley

Families are being urged to put their best feet forward for a first-ever sponsored stroll in aid of Surrey Air at Virginia Water Lake this Saturday (May 19^th).

The walk is open to everyone and will feature a special appearance from mascot Dr Dudley who will be hiding along the 4.5-mile route.

Walkers will also have the chance to “spot the wildlife” and enjoy stunning scenery including beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons in full bloom.

A total of 31 walkers have so far signed up but more are being urged to register on the day when the fundraising walk starts at 9am.

Children can bring their scooters and tricycles and will have the chance to meet Dr Dudley and have their photographs taken with him.

Refreshments will be available during the walk sponsored by TWM Solicitors and there will be a raffle.

Registration costs £5 per family or individual and can be completed online at http://www.kssairambulance.org.uk/Community/WhatsOnSurrey/event/54

For more information call Fundraising Assistant Karen Milton on 01483 266322 or email karenm@kaat.org.uk.

Get on your bike for charity ride, says BBC’s Sally Traffic

Radio 2 travel reporter Sally Traffic has again signed up to Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance's Double 100 Bike Challenge.

Sally Boazman is well known to listeners for her travel updates and regular chats on the Steve Wright, Simon Mayo and Jeremy Vine shows and is affectionately known as Sally Traffic.

Now she has agreed to be the driving voice behind the life-saving charity's Double 100 which has become an annual fundraising event and will this year be held on June 10^th.

Almost half of the call-outs attended by the two helicopters based at Marden in Kent and Dunsfold in Surrey are road traffic collisions.

Sally said: "I know from first hand experience how invaluable the Air Ambulance is. Many, many lives are saved every day because of the dedication and expertise of the teams that work tirelessly to be where they're needed most. 

"I'm honoured to be attending the forthcoming fundraising event at Dunsfold and would urge you all to get on your bikes and make some money for this wonderful charity."

Sally has become a national cult figure and is even known as the patron saint of road-users. She has also been voted one of the most attractive female voices on UK radio.

More than 80 riders joined last year's inaugural Double 100 but organizers are this year aiming to double the number of entries.

Chief Pilot, Captain Steve Wood, and critical care paramedics Stu Plumbley and Justin Carding and former patients will be among this year's riders.

The 100-mile or 100km ride starts and finishes at Dunsfold Park - the home of BBC's Top Gear – and takes in all four counties covered by the Air Ambulance – Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex

Sally will be at the helicopter base to welcome cyclists back and celebrate their amazing achievement with family and friends.

All entrants must pay a registration fee of £25 and a minimum sponsorship will be required which will go towards the £5million cost of keeping both helicopters flying.

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance carries a specialist doctor and critical care paramedic who can carry out advanced medical procedures at the scene of an accident or medical emergency, giving patients the best chance and quality of survival.

For more information about the Double 100 and to register visit the website: www.kssairambulance.org.uk/fundraising/double100 or call Corinne Hitching on 07784 229717 or email corinneh@kssairmabulance.org.uk.