Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Magazine summer 201556

KILIMANJAROChallenge raises

a staggering £165,000

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8

Uplifting stories from our inspirational patients

Want to be an Air Ambulance pilot?Read our interview with Pilot Stuart Mayor: Page 21

Helimed

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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance

4 Kings Park Road,Southampton,SO15 2AS

t: 02380 333 377e: enquiries@hiow-airambulance.org.uk

www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 1106234Company Number: 5244460

Editor: Caroline Tyree

Design, Production Management & Cover Photography:

3 Men & a Suit – www.3men.co.uk

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to the Summer edition of Helimed 56

Welcome

These are exciting times for us as we get closer to achieving our goal of beginning night flying in 2016. Every step that takes us closer could not be taken without your support and I would like to take this opportunity to say a personal thank you. I hope that you and your families have a fantastic summer.

Alex Lochrane Chief Executive

ContentsWelcome from Alex Lochrane 1

Uplifting stories 2/5Dennis Orchard / Ann Whitlock / Danielle Bartley

Volunteering 6/7Boomtown Fair Review / Volunteer Profile – Chloe Kitching / Volunteer Roadshow

Features – Our Kilimanjaro trek 8/11James King – The Toughest Challenge Of My Life / Richard Riley – Profile

Features – Vietnam 12/13Paramedic Profile – Tim Ross

Fundraising 14/19Running Events / Recycling / Leave a Legacy

Readers’ Photos 20

Meet the crew 21Meet our Pilot Stuart Mayor

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/WELCOME

Welcome to the new look Helimed 56! If you are a lottery subscriber, this will be the first time that you will have received a copy of the magazine with your Summer draw tickets. I hope you enjoy reading about your Air Ambulance and the crew, volunteers, staff and supporters who do so much to keep it flying 365 days a year - come rain or shine. From now on, we’ll be publishing Helimed 56 twice a year and the next issue will be sent out in the Autumn, with your Winter draw tickets. In this issue of the magazine Dennis Orchard tells us about how we came to his rescue following a serious cycling accident in June last year. Also, Ann Whitlock’s story is an excellent example of the close cooperation that is sometimes required between the emergency and rescue services, and of how a ‘routine’ injury can very quickly become a serious injury without this co-operation.

Our Kilimanjaro trek in February has now raised a staggering £165,000 for the charity.

We owe all the team an enormous thank you for their incredible fundraising efforts and for everything that they put themselves through for HIOWAA. On pages 8 - 12 you can read more about their adventures and perhaps be inspired to think about signing up for our Mongolia Horse Riding Challenge in September or our Cycle Vietnam challenge in 2016. You may not be aware, but recycling is the charity’s second biggest single source of income and we’re always hugely grateful to our supporters for choosing to recycle their clothes, shoes and textiles in our yellow banks. We currently have 245 textile banks throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and our recycling partner, Bag It Up Ltd, recently announced that the total income raised through recycling to date is almost an amazing £2.5 million. On pages 14 - 15 we explain more about our recycling schemes and how every time you use one of our yellow banks, you are helping us to save lives.

UpliftingStoriesOur patients are the reason we provide our life saving service and their stories remind us of the importance of the job we do. We appreciate that sometimes it can be very difficult to re-visit a traumatic experience and for this reason we are very grateful to be able to share their stories. Thank you to all of them and we hope that their stories touch you as much as they touched us.

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Danielle has been a foster carer for four years, and during this time she has looked after fifteen children. A single mother, she is very close to her son Ethan, and as she tells us below, it was for him that she needed to keep fighting after her accident.

November 14th 2014 started like any other morning. I got Ethan, my seven year old boy, ready for a fancy dress day at school. The theme of the fancy dress day was ‘Real Life Heroes’, and as Ethan has undergone many operations himself, he decided that he wanted to dress up as a surgeon - all surgeons are heroes in his eyes. I never thought I would be needing my own hero before the day was out. I had just set off for a meeting, having got all the children to school. I was driving down the M3 at 60mph. It was raining heavily and there were strong winds. I remember thinking to myself that I was going to stop at the next services, but before I

could stop, I saw a deep puddle ahead. At that moment, I remembered something that my Father always said to me - ‘don’t break when hitting a puddle’. It was too late to change lanes without putting other cars at risk too. I’ll not forget the moment my car went into that puddle. My heart sank, I just knew that I was in trouble. The car started to spin and all I could do was put my right arm on the roof as a way of trying to hold myself in. My car aquaplaned and soon after it flipped over, again and again. I later found out that my car spun six times up onto an embankment and back down again.

A Foster Carer from Andover, Danielle tells us how, if it wasn’t for the Air Ambulance, she wouldn’t be here today.

Photo: Simon Heron – 3 Men & a Suit

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/UPLIFTING STORIES

I begged the car to stop and then I felt a really sharp pain to my head, and everything went blank. The next thing I remember was waking up, trying to look around but realising I couldn’t move. I could see smashed windows, blood everywhere and what felt like cold air coming from the side of me. I felt no pain at all. A lady came to my car; she’d stopped and run to my car to help. A training vet called Gemma, she began to ask me questions to keep me awake. I told her I had children, I asked her if I was going to die, again it went blank. I’ve since spoken to Gemma and she told me that I was speaking to her but that I would start speaking and then begin to fit. She called 999 and help arrived. Four Fire Engines arrived, one of which had new cutting equipment in order to get people out faster, and they started the process of getting me out of the car. The Air Ambulance arrived and worked along side the fire brigade to get me out safely. My arm was bleeding badly. It later emerged that my arm had smashed through the window and that my car had rolled on top of it. The crew on the Air ambulance did an amazing job and without them I wouldn’t be here today. I have little memory of being airlifted to hospital in the Air Ambulance, I remember the arm of my jacket being cut but I don’t remember too much after that. I was in Southampton General for four days as I was too poorly to be transferred to Salisbury hospital, where I needed to be. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to operate on me at Southampton, as they only have plastic surgeons available four days out of seven, and sadly didn’t have one available that day. I spent two weeks in a coma and was moved to Salisbury on the fourth day. I underwent 38 hours of surgery on my right arm. I had very bad septicaemia and the surgeon spent a long time in theatre flushing out my arm

I remember everything going slowly. It’s amazing what goes through your mind in what’s actually a very short space of time. I thought about my little boy, the fact that he doesn’t have a Daddy, and now he might lose his Mummy too.

and giving me blood transfusions. My son did not see me for two weeks. We’re never apart and so this must have been very difficult for him. My parents were at their home in Bulgaria at the time of my accident so had to fly over to be with him. My parents came to the hospital and they said nothing could prepare them for what they saw. I was very swollen and bruised. I had cuts to my face and a large metal brace screwed into my skull as I had broken 6 bones in my neck and 4 in my spine. I had lots of swelling to my head. They asked if I’d walk again or have damage to my brain but the surgeons said it was too early to tell and that their priority was to keep me alive. They took tissue and skin from my stomach, veins from my legs and put a metal pole in to replace some of the missing bone from my elbow to my wrist. On the fourteenth day my parents were asked to come to the hospital. When they arrived they met with my plastic surgeon who informed them that my septicaemia had spread so badly that if they didn’t amputate my arm, I’d only have 36 hours left to live. My parents asked if there was anything else that could be done, as I’m a single working parent and I’m also right handed. They were told that this was the last resort, in order to save my life. My parents signed the permission form and walked behind my bed to theatre. My right arm was amputated just above the elbow. They weren’t able to remove all the septicaemia so I had to stay on strong antibiotics for the next few months. Waking up with a large heavy metal brace screwed into my skull, I was told of my injuries. I cried and said sorry to my Dad for the worry I had caused them. I still couldn’t move my legs, but the coming few weeks would be the test. The next day I saw my beautiful son for the first time in two weeks. More importantly he saw his Mum. It was a very emotional moment. He jumped up on the bed and kissed me. My parents had been honest with him from the start and I feel that was the right thing to do. He coped amazingly and told me “Mummy everything will be ok”. He’s my rock and without him I would never have had the strength to carry on. The next few weeks were so tough. Learning to walk again and trying to remain positive about my future. I don’t think I’ll ever fully get over this but I will move on from it for my son’s sake. Christmas, although different, was very special. My family never imagined I’d be here, so we were all very grateful. I did the best I could for Ethan and promised that next year would be better, but he told me that it was good the way it was. 2015 will be a road of recovery, but I’ve already done better than expected, so I know I will get through this. My parents have been amazing. They have had to move in with me until I’m strong enough to get on my own feet again. This has affected us all in different ways, and we keep each other strong in order to get through it. I’m due to see a team about a prosthetic arm in the future, but I need to have more surgery in around four months on what’s left of my right arm.

Like most of us, I had plans for my future. My plans haven’t changed, but it may just take me longer to get there. I want more than anything to return to work fostering, and I will have to learn to adjust to living with one arm. The most important thing is I still have a future and my son still has his Mum.

I cannot thank the Air Ambulance team enough for the wonderful work they did that day. I would never have made it by road ambulance, and the service they provide is vital for us all. Without them, I wouldn’t be here, and my son wouldn’t have his Mum, his only parent. My family and friends donated to the Air Ambulance instead of sending Christmas cards last year. I know that many people’s donations helped to save my life and for that I am truly grateful.

With special thanks to:The Air Ambulance team, Basingstoke Fire Brigade, Eastleigh Police, my brave and inspirational son Ethan, my parents Jacquie & Mike and my wonderful friends. With thanks also to the many people in Andover who have supported me.

My son did not see me for two weeks. We’re never apart and so this must have been very difficult for him.

Photo: Simon Heron – 3 Men & a Suit

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/UPLIFTING STORIES

November 19th 2014 was an eventful day for Ann Whitlock and her friend Chris Broughton…..

Always a keen walker, Ann went to school in North Wales, and as a child she climbed Cader Idris every year. When she retired as a Physio nine years ago, she began to walk regularly again. She and her friend Chris, also a retired physio, regularly walk eight to twelve miles or more, and her longest walk to date was a 24 mile charity walk from Salisbury to Winchester. She and her husband Paul have lived in Farnham for 28 years and have three sons. Her boys are also keen on hiking and climbing, and they go to Scotland every year to walk with a group of friends. On this particular day Ann and Chris were walking a shorter distance than usual, as Chris needed to get back early. However, things didn’t quite go to plan. Below, Ann tells us her story.

The ground was wet and muddy, but we had walked for about two hours and were on the Hangers Way, near Hawkley, in a rather inaccessible area, when I slipped on a covered tree root. I’ve always been an independent, positive person, and when we heard the crack my first reaction was “I hope that was a piece of wood, but I fear not”. We looked at my foot and knew immediately that it was a fracture dislocation of my ankle. Initially it was acutely painful, but the pain eased quickly. We decided that Chris should go for help. Meanwhile, I got my rucksack under my knee for support, found my insulated mat to sit on and added another layer of clothes. I had a wonderful view to contemplate and consider the things that I would now miss, including a trip to Vienna the following week. I would probably need surgery and a spell of rehab. Chris returned after about half an hour and gave me her rucksack to keep my back warm and knelt down next to me to provide body heat. I did not have pain, but I was cold. Paramedics Dave and Justin, from the Petersfield ambulance crew, arrived and quickly established that they couldn’t carry me, which was when the Air Ambulance was contacted. Unfortunately, the Air Ambulance could not land near enough, so Dr David Sutton and his crew walked to me and assessed my injuries. A decision was made to call in the Coastal helicopter. I was given pain relief while my boot was removed and a firm splint applied and I was transferred to a stretcher and subsequently to the scoop, wrapped in bubble wrap and a warm blanket.

Once I was on the stretcher I remember an overwhelming feeling of being warm and secure.The Coastal helicopter arrived overhead and the winchman eventually appeared and explained what would happen next. I was given ear defenders and securely wrapped and strapped in and then transported down the hill, out of the tree cover. Eventually the winch was attached, and with a swing, I was off the ground and into the helicopter and flown off to Queen Alexandra hospital in Portsmouth. My dislocation was expertly reduced in Portsmouth and I was then transferred to Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley, where I finally had surgery on 24th November. I was eventually discharged home and told I would need to be non weight bearing for ten weeks, with the prospect of future physio. My husband Paul was very supportive during this time, but my real life saver was a kneel walker – imagine a scooter with handle bars and brakes and a padded seat for the affected leg. My family and friends were excellent too, visiting me, providing meals and making sure that I was taken out. I am now 50% weight bearing, still wearing an air cast boot, and gradually increasing the amount of weight that I can take on my ankle every week. We are extremely fortunate in this country to have such superb rescue services and the NHS to follow up. I was aware of the huge expense of my ‘rescue’, just for an ankle fracture, and I will be forever grateful. As soon as I am fully mobile, Chris and I have every intention of doing the Hangers Way walk again, with sponsorship and donations to the Air Ambulance.

Ann’s top three tips for getting to grips with being non weight bearing.

Use walkie-talkies for communicating around the house!

Beg, borrow or steal a kneel walker.

Keep as active and independent as possible.

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/UPLIFTING STORIES

Ann’s “routine” injury could have become very serious very quickly without this cooperation. If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation that Ann was in, we need to know how to find you. Hampshire has some very remote countryside and, if you are exploring it, here are some important safety tips to follow:

Plan your route and have a map so you always know where you are [see www3.hants.gov.uk for the Hangers Way]

Always have warm clothes and some means, like a backpack, of insulating yourself from the cold ground if you are injured.

Always have a mobile phone with you.

Download a free map reference app such as GridPoint BB if you have a smartphone – this will pinpoint your location for the emergency services.

If you can, send a companion out from under trees to wave at us with arms crossed above their head

Carry something hi-vis – we can’t always see you from the air.

Dennis Orchard Dennis Orchard lives in Maidenhead and has been a professional photographer all his life. On 18th June last year, his life was turned upside down following a serious cycling accident. Below he tells his story.

I learned to cycle when I was 8 years old and I have always been an enthusiastic recreational cyclist. Later in life, I would commute to Central London from Maidenhead by train and I would always cycle to my studio in Regent St. We moved to our present house on the day after The Great Storm of 1987 and we’re in a lovely rural location, just on the edge of town – perfect for cycling. On the day of the accident I set off for a short ride in my local area. While cycling down a hill, my front brake cable failed and I fell from my bike. I have absolutely no memory of what happened next, but I was discovered by a local resident who realised that my injuries were serious and immediately contacted the emergency services. At this point the Air Ambulance was called and diverted North from Hampshire to attend to me. Thankfully, it was able to land in a nearby lane, and the Doctor on board, Dr David Sutton, was soon on hand to tend to my injuries. I’m told that I had landed in such a way that my airway was in danger of obstructing. I’m told that once I had been stabilised, the crew were able to transfer me to the Air Ambulance. I was seriously injured and I know that if a doctor had not been there to save me so soon after my accident, my outlook would have been very poor. Once in the helicopter I was transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, the nearest Major Trauma Centre. I was taken straight to Intensive Care, where I was placed in an induced coma for two and half weeks. My injuries were substantial. I had suffered a fracture to the back of my skull; dislocated all the ribs on my right hand side; broken four vertebrae in my back and I had a perforation in my kidney. I also came down with a bacterial infection whilst I was in Intensive Care and things were very touch and go. I am very much a ‘people’ person. I have been happily married to Julia for 34 years and we have a son and daughter both in their 20s. What they must have been through, I can not begin to imagine. Somehow though, thanks to the positive vibes from my wife, my daughter, son and all the medical staff, I pulled through and my family were all incredibly relieved when I came out of my induced coma. Two and a half weeks later I was moved to the Trauma Ward, where I spent a further two and a half weeks in rehabilitation. It was only then, as I recuperated, that I realised how serious my injuries had been. I eventually returned home at the end of July. I have absolutely no doubt that the skill and diligence of Dr Sutton and the rest of the Air Ambulance crew were paramount to the successful outcome of my injuries and I am eternally grateful to all those who helped me to recover. Almost a year on, I feel that I have been given a second chance in life and I intend to do my best to live my life to the full. I do intend to cycle again, and as I write this, it’s only the cold weather that stops me from getting back out there on my bike.

Dr David Sutton recalls the events that day;Helimed 56’s primary role is to take an expert critical care team to the patient’s side and then convey them to the most appropriate hospital. However, we quite regularly find ourselves faced with unusual tasks which require close cooperation between emergency and rescue services and Ann’s story is an example of just that. Ann had the misfortune to suffer a fracture dislocation of her ankle – an unpleasant injury, but an injury that would be routine for the ambulance service had it happened on a pavement in town. However, Ann was out walking in a beautiful but remote part of Hampshire on the Hangers Way. The Hangers Way is a 21 mile long-distance footpath which runs from Alton through the Hampshire countryside to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. As the name Hanger comes from the Old English word “hangra”, meaning a “steeply wooded slope”, you can see why Ann’s rescue was going to be far from routine. The area where Ann found herself marooned was north of Petersfield near Hawkley, described in the Hangers Way guide as “… the steepest ascent of the whole path… up to the Shoulder of Mutton Hill”. The road crew had to scramble down from the road access at the top of the hill and quickly realised that extricating Ann by road was not going to be an option – the path up from Ann to the track was very steep, muddy and extremely slippery with wet leaves and crossed several locked gates. Nor was going down an option, as there was no road access within carrying distance and the path was equally slippery. Ann was stuck. The road crew called for Helimed 56 and we were soon “in the orbit” overhead; but where to land? Helicopters can’t land on steep slopes as they tip over, so we landed on top of the hill and carried our kit down to Ann. While Rocky and I assessed her, we discussed the options for removing Ann from the woods. It was

clear that our best solution was to request backup from our colleagues in the Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter – SAR have a winch which enables them to winch up casualties from inaccessible and steep locations without landing. Rocky immediately got on the radio to request the Coastguard and I checked Ann over, splinted her ankle and leg with paramedics Dave and Justin, and gave her some powerful pain killers. Despite Chris’s best attempts, it’s impossible to keep a casualty warm who is in the damp shade, on the wet ground, and Ann was in danger of becoming hypothermic – a fractured ankle can easily become an emergency in this situation. We carry bubble wrap blankets for insulation, which stop a casualty losing more heat, but also self-heating blankets, which warm up on contact with air and provide active heating. We “scooped” Ann onto our rescue stretcher, wrapped her up so she was toasty warm and carried her rather precariously down the path to a field out in the open, ready for the Coastguard. When SAR arrived they first sent down their winchman with a basket stretcher, which gives more protection to a casualty. As we were in a clearing surrounded by tall trees, Ann had to be winched up using a “high line” technique – quite a dramatic experience as it is a long way up under a hovering helicopter, spinning round and being buffeted by the downdraft and deafened by the noise. Rocky controlled the swaying basket stretcher with the line from below, until Ann reached the helicopter and was flown away to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. Although we couldn’t rescue Ann in Helimed 56, we carry specialist equipment and work closely with many specialist rescue teams from all branches of the emergency services; this is all made possible by our supporters.

Boomtown FairLast summer HIOWAA took on the task of providing

volunteers to work at Boomtown Fair, an independent music, arts and theatrical festival at the Matterley Estate,

Near Winchester.

“Working together on gate 4 was

challenging and fun. The support

from the Air Ambulance staff was wonderful.”

“ It was a pleasure working alongside

security, and the event itself was spectacular

and friendly.”

“I enjoyed the working conditions and hours. Still allowed plenty of time for

enjoying the festival. “

“Being with friends was an added bonus,

especially with the opportunity to explore the festival

after shifts.”

“There was a really nice atmosphere working

with the charity.”This was the first time the charity had been involved in an event of this size which meant bringing in extra volunteers to help out. Working alongside Oxfam, the

volunteers spent the duration of the festival manning the gates and scanning the wristbands of festival goers as

they entered and exited the event. In return, HIOWAA received a donation for every volunteer who took part.

Attending Boomtown Fair raised well over of £5,000 for the charity, a great achievement for our first year. As a result, HIOWAA has been invited back again, this time

to provide 75 volunteers to help man the gates, giving the charity an opportunity to raise a significant amount to help keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives.

Volunteers will receive access to camping in the staff area with discounted food, and their entry into the festival. The work should be fun and stress-free in an exciting environment. It will, however, require responsibility,

stamina and enthusiasm.

If you would like to help at this year’s Boomtown Fair from Monday 10th – Sunday 16th August then

please get in touch. Tel: 02380 333377 or Email: boomtown@hiow-airambulance.org.uk

“The team were amazing, and what we

were doing was rather good

fun.”

6

Header Im

age Steve Maskell

VOLUNTEERING‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’. Winston Churchill

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/VOLUNTEERING

Volunteer Roadshow 2015

Volunteers are the backbone of our charity; they are amazing people who give up their own time to support the life saving work of the Air Ambulance. We currently have a strong team of 120 diligent volunteers who attend events and talks, deliver collection pots and take on various other roles within the charity to help spread the word about the Air Ambulance. We have ambitious plans to increase our volunteer base to 200-250 volunteers and this year, Kirsty Davies, the charity’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, started the year with a volunteer recruitment drive. Focussing largely on areas across Hampshire that are lacking in volunteers, Kirsty enlisted several new members to the team during the fortnight on the road. All our new volunteers will be taken through an induction process which introduces them to all areas of the charity. They will then be given full training in their chosen area of volunteering. Kirsty told us, ‘We welcome all offers of help, whether a large commitment of time, or a few hours every so often. We want our volunteers to feel that the time they spend with the charity is valued, and that they too can gain something from it.’

For more information about how you can volunteer, please contact Kirsty on 02380 333377 or visit our website www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk

VOLUNTEERPROFILE/CHLOE KITCHINGChloe Kitching has volunteered for HIOWAA for over five years and she spoke to HIOWAA about what volunteering means to her.

‘Life can change in a day, give a day to change a life’ – the HIOWAA volunteer slogan, and the reason I became a volunteer. In June 2008, our lives changed forever. We received the news that nobody wants to hear. Dad had been involved in an explosion at work whilst renovating a yacht and we had to get to the hospital, and fast. The hospital said that Dad had a 50/50 chance of survival, having sustained 40% burns and having breathed in fire repellent expanding foam. Despite the odds, over twenty operations and numerous hours of rehabilitation, four months after being admitted, Dad finally came home. However, had it not been for the specialist care that the Air Ambulance gave him at the scene, he would never have survived the journey from Hythe Marina to Salisbury District Hospital, something our family will be forever grateful for. Even more so as, at the time, the helicopter had only been flying for six months. My friends and family would describe me as determined and a bit of a perfectionist. I am my own worst enemy, as I always think I could have done better and I love being busy. On the rare occasion that I have a day with absolutely no plans, I sit on the sofa for about ten minutes and think about all the things I could or should be doing – and normally get up and find something to do! So volunteering for a charity works perfectly for me. I work a typical 9-5 day, organising home and motor insurance for high net worth individuals (certainly a world away from my own) and, whilst my partner is busy juggling work as a builder, I need something to keep me occupied at weekends. So, when Dad saw an article in the local paper about volunteering for HIOWAA, we thought it would be a great way to give something back whilst working together on something, a kind of ‘father-daughter’ thing. Five years on, and not only do I still volunteer, but Dad has made the transformation from volunteer to HIOWAA employee. It’s an organisation that has not only saved Dad’s life, but has helped him to rebuild it too.

You become a part of ‘the family’ when you become a HIOWAA volunteer. It really doesn’t matter what you have going on in your life, whatever time you can give, no matter how small, they are always grateful. During my time with the charity I have passed three insurance exams and am currently studying for a fourth, I play netball once a week for a local league team and I’ve bought and undertaken a huge house renovation. Through all this, the charity staff have taken a keen interest and have appreciated that I can only volunteer a few times a year. Not only are they flexible, but there is so much variety to what you can do to help. I like volunteering at weekend events as I have so many different experiences, but I also run the eBay account and help sort and sell used postage stamps – something I can do whilst sitting in front of the TV in the evenings. Whatever skills you have, the charity will get the best out of you.

Life is short; do stuff that matters.

Phot

o: Jo

n Bo

lton

Richard Riley was involved in a

serious accident in 2013 and HIOWAA

helped save his life. In February,

he joined our team to climb Mount

Kilimanjaro and raise vital funds for

the Air Ambulance.

Kilimanjaro

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/FEATURES

In April 2013 Richard was in the back of an ambulance caring for a casualty who was being conveyed to hospital. When the ambulance was involved in a collision with another vehicle, Richard was seriously injured, along with the relative of the patient who was also in the ambulance. Richard’s colleague who was driving was killed, as was the patient Richard was attending to. Richard sustained multiple injuries, which included a broken neck, broken back, broken arm, punctured lung, broken ribs, broken shoulder and damaged spleen. He believes that it was the speedy response of the Air Ambulance and the trauma doctors on board that saved his life that day. Before the incident he was very fit, and his recovery has taken many months and will go on into the future, but this year he set himself a major personal challenge.

In February, Richard joined our team to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and raised £5,000 for HIOWAA, as his way of saying thank you.. Richard said, “My family and I are truly grateful for the amazing care and medical treatment I received from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, and as a result, I set myself the challenging goal of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Because of my injures, especially my constant back and neck pain, I knew it would prove to be a very hard and difficult trek. I hoped to raise as much money as possible for the Air Ambulance to enable it to continue flying to people when they are most in need of help.”

In these diary extracts we catch up with Richard’s challenge...

Working on an emergency ambulance in Hampshire, Richard Riley (33) was used to attending emergencies and caring for patients who needed emergency medical care. He was not expecting that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance would one day be called to help save his life.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to

everyone who has sponsored me. In particular, my wife and family, my friends and colleagues, Mike

Jukes and the Bransgore Community Responders and Bransgore Primary School. My fundraising has topped

£5,000, however, it’s not too late to donate, should you wish;

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardRiley80

Day FOUR... Following a really early breakfast, we set off on our ascent up the Baranco Wall, a technical climb of 700ft. I really enjoyed this part of the trek, despite its difficulty, as I used to do a lot of climbing before my accident. Throughout the day I had to ration my painkillers (I needed some for the summit attempt later that day, and did not want to overdose) and so my back and neck were in agony. I could feel the metal pates rubbing in my back muscles and all I wanted to do was get to camp so I could lie down. We finally

arrived at Barafu Hut camp for an early dinner and three hours rest. Today many people struggled with the altitude, succumbing to altitude sickness - luckily I was not affected by this.

Day FIVE... At midnight, after a three hour sleep, we started our trek to the summit. The reason this trek starts at midnight is because the scree on the slopes is frozen and therefore ‘easier’ to walk on. We started this trek as a big group of thirty or so people, but we quickly separated into smaller groups, and in my group there were around eight of us. We were all so tired, and with each step I took, I could feel myself falling asleep. It would have been so much easier to just give up and admit defeat, but I was not going to give in - I have

overcome so much to be in a position to attempt this climb, that I was adamant it would not defeat me! Our group of eight had dwindled down to three as the mountain and altitude became too much for people. We finally reached the summit, Stella Point, at around 9am. I am truly grateful to the two people who I reached the summit with, as we worked together, each helping the others out when all seemed lost. I even shared my summit mocha with them! In those few moments at the top I felt a range of feelings; relief, a massive sense of achievement and exhaustion. The views of the glaciers and crater from the summit were spectacular. This was beyond a doubt the trip of a lifetime.

Day OnE... Today we started our trek from the Machame Gate. We walked for five hours through the humid, sticky rainforest, to the Machame Hut, our first camp, which sits at 2,980m above sea level. The time seemed to pass quickly today, as the group was in high spirits with lots of chat, singing and laughter. We were greeted at the camp by the porters, who were singing traditional Kilimanjaro songs, and after a simple meal we retired to our tents for a well deserved sleep.

Day TWO... After an early morning rise, we started our steep trek to the Shira Plateau. This was a more strenuous trek than yesterday’s walk, as it involved a lot of scrambling up alpine rocky pathways, which was made ever more difficult by the constant heat from the blazing sun. We reached Shira Hut at 3,840m, our second camp, from which we had spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, including Mt Meru and the Maasai Highlands. Today proved to be a tough day for me....I suffered from suspected heat exhaustion and really bad neck and back pain. Luckily the guides noticed my pain and carried my backpack for a while. This made me feel really low but I was perked up by my supportive team members and a video from home.

Day THREE... Today was our first real glimpse of Mt Kilimanjaro, we saw it peeking out from behind a ridge as the sun rose. Our trek today took us to an altitude of 4,400m, allowing us all a chance to acclimatise, before descending back down to 3,950m to camp at Baranco Camp. Whilst much of the trek today was across rather barren landscape, the views of Mt Kilimanjaro were breathtaking. While I had my low the day before, many of my teammates were today feeling the effects of the mountain and I was able to repay their kindness by supporting them today.

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We spoke to James about the climb and how it felt to wave goodbye to fellow fundraiser Ian Browning before they reached the summit.

Kilimanjaro was unfinished business for me. I had organised the challenge for St Luke’s Hospice a few years previously, but I left the charity before the campaign was complete. I also knew that the challenge would be a big success with our loyal supporters.

KIlImanjaRO THE TOUgHEsT cHallEngE OF my lIFE

At first we wanted to recruit twelve participants, to help raise the profile of our charity and the challenges we offer. When the numbers went to twenty, I thought we could actually get to twenty five. Then the numbers went to thirty, and I couldn’t believe it. We actually had thirty seven signed up before the trek started and as always, the response from our supporters was amazing.

I first pitched the challenge to senior management at HIOWAA a year and a half ago. To finally complete the campaign and see thirty seven individuals reach their £3,500 targets, and in some cases

to exceed them, was amazing. I was so proud of what my participants had achieved, and what I had achieved personally. As we arrived in Africa I was feeling all sorts of emotions; nerves, excitement, a sense of pride and a feeling of being part of a large family. Not only had we become friends, but we had become family. I had battled with serious health issues and surgery in the summer, and wasn’t sure if I would make it, so I felt that I had already defeated Kilimanjaro just by being there.

HIOWAA Community and Corporate Fundraiser James King organised our hugely successful Kilimanjaro Challenge this year. The challenge has now raised over £165,000 for HIOWAA and set the bar high in term terms of future HIOWAA challenges.

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The six days were by far the hardest days of my life. This was ten times harder than going through major surgery. Altitude sickness was the worst thing I’d ever experienced. I didn’t make it to the summit as I had blood coming from my ears and nose, terrible headaches and sickness. I was also struggling with my health, and managing pain throughout the trek. I was 600m from the summit before I turned back. I was in tears as I’d put so much into the campaign, but I couldn’t risk my health. The porters were amazing and the guides were so supportive and always kept positive when the group was low.

The hardest day for me was saying goodbye to my colleague and best friend Ian Browning. On day four he was really struggling and I was with him, hand in hand, every step that day. When he reached the top of The Barranco Wall it wasn’t good news. The guide pulled me to one side and the whole group watched and waited to see the news. It wasn’t great. I was told he had fluid on his lungs and he wouldn’t be continuing. I was in tears and the group saw. We all said goodbye to Ian and he whispered in my ear “You can do this, and do it for me”. Losing Ian was a huge loss for the team and I felt quite lonely after this point.

Now I’ve had time to reflect, I would do it all over again any day! The team were incredible and I’ve made friends for life. Not only have they completed an amazing challenge, but they have helped HIOWAA continue to save lives. For those of you reading this and are considering a life changing challenge, you should certainly sign up for our next big challenge - Cycle Vietnam and Cambodia in February 2016.

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“To finally complete the campaign and see thirty seven individuals reach their £3,500 targets, and in some cases to exceed them, was amazing. I was so proud of what my participants had achieved, and what I had achieved personally.”

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Tim Ross has been a Paramedic with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance for five years. In the past he has raised over £30,000 for charitable causes, and in February 2016 he will be cycling 450 km across Vietnam and Cambodia, in the hope of raising over £10,000 for HIOWAA.

We asked him why he chose to take on this challenge.

Charity number: 1106234

ian@hiow-airambulance.org.uk

What do people say is the best thing about you?I think the most often commented on attribute is my positive outlook and sense of humour.

What do people say is the worst thing about you?According to my son, I bottle things up and I go quiet when things are going wrong.

What makes you get out of bed in the morning?I live on a farm so there are animals to be fed at ridiculous times in the morning. I also have a two year old Welsh terrier who wants to help in every way.

Did you ever think about an alternative career? Can you imagine yourself having a desk job?I was an apprentice plumber after leaving school, which always comes in useful, and saves a fortune. I was an estate agent for a while and spent a lot of time sitting at a desk, which I didn’t enjoy much. But going out to value houses was great - a license to snoop!

Is there an incident that you are especially proud to have been involved in?Every mission that I go on as a Paramedic has its own memories and special people. Outside of work I think the event that most sticks in my mind is a fundraising auction I organised at the Royal Yacht Squadron in aid of Cowes Inshore Lifeboat. The auction raised close to £20,000 in one night.

Can you tell us something unusual about yourself - something that people reading this might not know?I’ve just started a new hobby - woodturning - and I’m loving it. I never saw myself as creative in this way before.

What is your favourite book?I love anything by John Grisham.

And your favourite film? It would have to be Dead Poets Society .

What is the best thing about your job?The people - patients and colleagues alike – are by far the best thing about my job. I have made some very special friends in my eighteen years in the NHS.

The HIOWAA Cycle Vietnam Challenge will take place in February 2016, when the charity will be supporting a group of intrepid adventurers on a 450 km cycle ride through South East Asia, across Vietnam and Cambodia. Tim will be one of a team of twenty five, lead by HIOWAA Community and Corporate Fundraiser, Ian Browning. If you would like further information, please email ian@hiow-airambulance.org.uk or ring him on 02380 333377.

Why am I going to put myself through 450 kilometers of cycling in dense humidity and 35 degrees of heat? Because I can! I am incredibly lucky to be fighting fit when others suffer with disease through no fault of their own. I’m also fortunate to be able to pull

on resources, friends and family to raise what I hope will be a substantial amount of sponsorship to fund the Air Ambulance.

The money will go towards keeping the helicopter available for life saving missions, as well as emergency transfers from one hospital to another. Last summer my son became ill whilst travelling in Vietnam. He was hospitalised for two weeks before being flown back to St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight, where he remained for his 19th birthday. Several days later, it became clear that he needed to be moved quickly to University Hospital, Southampton. HIOWAA were able to transfer him to Southampton General, where he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

He is now on the road to recovery so I can take time to repay, in some small way, what HIOWAA did for us. Never in a million years did I think that the helicopter I work on would be used for one of my own family.

Photo: Mark Curzon

HElIcOpTER HEROFather, Fundraiser &

Charity number: 1106234

ian@hiow-airambulance.org.uk

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RecyclingSaving Lives through

What happens to the textiles?75% of collections consist of reusable textiles. All good quality clothing, shoes and textiles are sold for re-use in second-hand shops, on markets and through websites in the UK and worldwide.

24% is recycled into industrial wipers, mattress fillings,

insulation and new fibres.

The remaining 1% is reformed into dust and pellets as a

combustible source of fuel.

All packaging products are recycled or reused

where possible

Header Im

age Steve Maskell

FUNDRAISINGThere are many ways in which you can help us continue to save lives. From making a donation, to joining our Flight For Life lottery, using our recycling banks, taking part in one of our challenges or becoming a volunteer, there is always something you can do to play your part.

Recycling is our second largest single source of income, and throughout the year we work with our recycling partner, Bag It Up Ltd, urging people to collect unwanted clothing, shoes and other textiles.

We currently have 245 recycling banks throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the total amount of income that we have raised through recycling to date is almost a staggering £2.5 million.

People often ask how the textiles are recycled and turned into money for the Air Ambulance, and so we asked Bag It Up Ltd to explain where the textiles go...

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How it helps people abroad

Our textiles provide an affordable source of clothing for communities where new clothing is either inaccessible or too expensive.

Recycling creates business and employment opportunities for importers, distributors and traders.

Items sold on the African market need to be lightweight, summer grades. Net curtains are a popular alternative to mosquito curtains.

Garments for all seasons are shipped to Eastern Europe, where temperatures are more extreme.

£20,000every month

Textile recycling provides around

for HIOWAA. The scheme provides a regular and sustainable revenue which we can rely on every month, and this offsets the carbon footprint of the helicopter.

3%Not only this, but recycling helps save the

environment by reducing waste at landfill sites.

Approximately of household waste is made up of textiles,

and it is estimated that more than 1million tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill each year.Bag It Up Ltd only works with

grading and sorting partners in the UK and overseas who are working towards a zero waste policy.

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If you’re a keen runner, or have just decided to dig out your old

trainers and get fit for 2015, why not sign up for one of our

running events?

Running Events

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner, there are running events that cater for all abilities throughout the year. If you are interested in running to raise money for HIOWAA,

please contact Ian Browning at ian@hiow-airambulance.org.uk or ring 02380 333377.

To read more about our fundraising challenges, please visit our website www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk

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Run For It! September 2015A family fun run raising money for HIOWAA. Participants will run, jog or walk one lap of Thruxton circuit. This event is open to all the family.

Great South Run 25th October 2015The fast and flat 10-mile route takes in the iconic sites of the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including Portsmouth Cathedral, The Spinnaker Tower and the HMS Victory. The final flat stretch along the sea front has given thousands of people the opportunity to get a personal best time for more than twenty years.

Grand Union Challenge 27th – 28th June 2015A unique endurance event along a historic route. It’s 100km, 50km or 25km along the Grand Union Canal towpath – a ‘hidden green corridor’ – that winds its way from the heart of London out towards the Chilterns. The scenery will surprise you – the Challenge will inspire you – and it’s London’s Great Escape.

Most of the 2000 challengers will walk it, quite a few will jog parts, and some will run the full 100km ultra-marathon style. A true test of stamina & determination, this challenge is tough but achievable and highly rewarding.

London to Brighton 23rd May 2015One of the UK’s great endurance events with 100km, 56km and 44km route options. Most of the 3,000 participants will walk it, some will jog parts, and nearly 500 will run it as a full on 100km ultra-marathon.

Portsmouth Colour Me Happy Run 28th June 2015The first ever paint run to be undertaken in Portsmouth. The fun-run will see participants smothered in paint for every kilometre they complete, with the end result being a rainbow of runners at the finish line! Why not be a part of history? Why not have a day that the whole family can take part in? A fantastic way to get sponsored and raise money for HIOWAA.

WALK, JOG OR RUN IT

ISLE OF WIGHT

LoCAtIon: West Cowes, Isle of Wight

ReGIStRAtIon Fee: £55 for Full Island (105km), £45 for Half Island (55km),

£35 for Quarter Island (33km)

FUndRAISInG tARGet: £475 for Full Island, £295 for Half

Island, £175 for Quarter Island

Set to become a classic on the UK’s endurance calendar, the Isle of Wight Challenge follows the stunning coastal path loop for over 100km right around England’s largest island. Most will walk it at their own pace; some will jog parts, and a few will even run the full distance ultra marathon style – all will be fully supported along the way. However you choose to do it, it will be a test of stamina and determination, rewarded with a great sense of achievement - a bank holiday weekend to remember!

Camping option before the event also available!

YoUR RoUte oPtIonS• The Full Island challenge starting and finishing in West Cowes• The Half Island challenge from West Cowes to Chale• The Quarter Island challenge from West Cowes to the Needles• All starting on Saturday morning - choose your time!

For full info, please visit - www.isleofwightchallenge.com

It doesn’t matter how large or small your gift is. Every gift is valuable and will help your Air Ambulance save lives.

For more information, please ring us on 02380 333377.

We strongly recommend that you consult a solicitor or financial advisor when making or amending a Will. Your legal advisor will help you arrange matters to the best advantage of all concerned. It can also be immensely helpful to us if you inform us that you have left a Legacy because it helps us to plan for the future and gives us the opportunity to express our gratitude and make appropriate recognition of your generosity.

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Leave a Legacy The Gift of Life

Photo: Simon Heron – 3 Men & a Suit

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Lottery enquiries 023 8005 7722

Last year £96,000 was left to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance by supporters of our life-saving service in memory of loved ones who had passed away. In addition, more than £250,000 was left to us in the form of charitable bequests (also known as Gifts or Legacies). By leaving us a gift in your will, you can help us save lives, as well as helping future generations. Funds may not be readily available to make gifts during your lifetime, but a Legacy is sometimes the greatest gift you can give that could help secure the long-term future of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. It will also allow us to plan for our future by having an indication of upcoming support. A gift to your Air Ambulance is taken out of your estate before inheritance tax is assessed. By making a bequest you could reduce or avoid tax and know that you are helping to save lives after your death with the money bequeathed. Depending on the current tax laws, leaving a gift to the Air Ambulance in your Will may reduce the estate tax burden on your heirs.

Lottery enquiries 023 8005 7722

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Flight For Life Lottery

The lottery costs £1.00 per week, with a draw taking place every Friday. Results can be found on our website at www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk, or in the local press.

For a chance to win and help keep your Air Ambulance flying, join our weekly lottery

WIN £500

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READERS PHOTOSWe are always looking for good quality photographs of our helicopter on day to day missions. Your photographs show the Air Ambulance in areas that land vehicles might not be able to get to, such as remote rural areas. Thank you to those who sent in the photos below.

Chris Horan

Jo De Ste Croix

John Ambler

Angela Proost

Angela Unsworth

Carl Money

Angela Unsworth

Sam Tompkins

John Ambler

Header Im

age Steve Maskell

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What makes you get out of bed in the morning?I have no problems getting out of bed in the morning. On a work day I’m up at six in the morning, with an unpredictable day ahead. My favourite days are when it’s really cold, but dry. When the weather is like this, the ground is frozen, so when we land in a field we don’t get mud all over our boots, kit and the aircraft!

Can you tell us a bit more about how you became a pilot for HIOWAAI spent 24 years in the British Army, the first 10 of which I served as a Vehicle Mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, fixing most of the vehicles that the Army used at the time. A lot of these are not used any more, in fact they are probably in a museum somewhere, which makes me feel a little old. In 1987 I was fortunate enough to be posted overseas to Brunei. Whilst I was in a hangar fixing trucks, covered in diesel and oil, I saw members of the Army Air Corps flying in Scout Helicopters. One day I went up in a helicopter myself, and was instantly hooked. In 1995 I got my flying wings. After flying all over the world I applied to become a Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI) and went on to teach Army pilots to fly. When I heard that Hampshire was getting an Air Ambulance I decided that 24 years in the Army was enough, and I applied for a position at Thruxton. The day I was accepted was a very proud one for me and the start of a new career. I have been a pilot for HIOWAA for almost eight years now. It is a hugely rewarding

job and watching what the Paramedics and Doctors are capable of doing with patients at the roadside or in a field is very humbling and utterly amazing.

What do you need to be an Air Ambulance pilot?There are many rules and regulations regarding how many hours flying experience you need to become an Air Ambulance pilot. Without going into too much detail, the rough guide is 1000 hours to become a pilot in command of an aircraft, with 500 hours in command of a helicopter. As you would expect, flying helicopters is very expensive, which is why the majority of pilots who become Helicopter Emergency Service pilots are ex-military, and they come with a wealth of experience. I think it is essential we all bond and get on as a team at the base. We have a small team and know each other really well, to the point you can tell when someone is having an off day. There is a lot of humour and banter, but with some of the things you see, there has to be some sort of release. Being able to talk to each other openly is vital.

How long is your working day?We work a 12 hour shift from 7am – 7pm and every day is different; on some days we may get no jobs, and on other occasions we may be out all day. On average, we fly about three missions a day. When we’re at the airbase, there is always reading and admin to catch up on, and depending on the day, we also have specific

jobs to carry out. These vary from washing and cleaning the aircraft to cleaning the base – the dreaded Sunday job. Then it’s a case of waiting for the phone to ring. Once a job is complete, it’s back to Thruxton to refuel the aircraft and eat (as and when we can) before the phone rings again.

Have you ever thought of doing a desk job?NO! saying that, there is a vast amount of paperwork and admin that I have to carry out on a daily basis to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

What do I do to relax?On my days off my better half always has a list of jobs prepared for me. I do enjoy DIY, and have pretty much rebuilt the house we live in. I qualified as a plumber when I left the Army – my back up plan, should all else fail.

Any messages you want to pass on to our readers? A big ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers and the charity for all their hard work in all weathers to ensure our vital service continues. Thank you to all who donate in whatever way you can, and a special thanks to Julian Kingshott, our base engineer, who is at the airbase most afternoons to fix the aircraft while it is off line in the hangar, and we all go home. He is 64 and still going strong (hope you don’t mind me saying that). Cheers Jules.

Stay safeStuart.

CrewMeet the

Stuart Mayor is one of our pilots

Stuart has been a HIOWAA Pilot for almost eight years now and is held with great affection by air crew and charity staff alike.

Known as the ‘The Tall Ginger One’, Stu is a big kid at heart, with a mischievous sense of humour.

For a full list of our Corporate Supporters, please visit our website at www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk

Are proud to subsidise the production and photography of this publication

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OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

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Axis Fire and Security Services Ltd Karen Sennitt, Chartered Accountant

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