
Paramedic Stu Plumbley, Doctor Amy Hughes, Doctor Anthony Hudson and Captain Kevin Goddard with Tom Smith, Stephen Smith, Maidstone MP Helen Grant, Matt Gash, Aaron Jempson, Shaun Gower and Sam Campbell.
When budding entrepreneur Tom Smith decided to set up a business which raised money for the Kent Air Ambulance, little did he know that his father would soon be rescued by the life-saving charity.
Tom, 23, launched his Blue Book of discount vouchers at Cranbrook Family Funday at the height of the recession after persuading 57 local businesses to sign up with proceeds from every book sale going to the Marden-based helicopter.
Two weeks later, on June 27, 2009, Tom was selling his books at the Staplehurst Family Funday when he received a call telling him his father had suffered serious burns in a bonfire accident.
Stephen Smith had been lighting a fire with petrol when he suffered 20% burns to his back and legs in Cranbrook.
The Kent Air Ambulance was called and the doctor and paramedic on board dressed his wounds before flying him to the specialist Broomfield Burns Unit in Essex.
Last week, Stephen and Tom presented the crew with a cheque for £4,052 which was raised from the Blue Book scheme endorsed by Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant.
The Blue Book has been voted among the top 100 best new businesses in the Barclays Trading Places Award which attracted 16,000 entries.
Tom and his film producer father have also been involved in the making of a film about Cranbrook Football Club as they tried to attract their biggest crowd in the village’s sporting history.
The Mighty Montage also features the Kent Air Ambulance and includes interviews with its Chief Executive Adrian Bell and the crew.
It is due to premier at the Keno Cinema at Hawkhurst in April and proceeds will go to the charity which needs £1.7m-a-year to keep the helicopter flying.
County Fundraiser Lynn Hyder said: “We are delighted that Tom chose to support the Kent Air Ambulance with his Blue Book initiative.
“It really is a great way for the public to support us whilst getting something in return.
“After nearly a year of watching the various stages of the planning and filming of The Mighty Montage, we are very excited about its forthcoming premier.”
The Blue Book costs £20 with 50 per cent of each sale going to the Kent Air Ambulance. To find out more visit www.bluebookvouchers.co.uk.
If you would like to make a donation to the Air Ambulance please call 01622 833833. Alternatively cheques can be made payable to Kent Air Ambulance Trust and posted to Wheelbarrow Park Estate, Pattenden Lane, Marden, Kent, TN12 9QJ