We are pleased to announce our new team vehicle has arrived.
This was made possible after we successfully applied for a £50,000 grant from the British Association for Immediate Care. This comes from an annual donation of £250,000 made by the HELP APPEAL to support the work of groups affiliated with the Association who provide voluntary immediate care services across the UK
The BMW X5 will be active across Cheshire and Shropshire, carrying volunteer medical teams to the scene of critically ill or injured patients in the community or at the roadside.
We already operate a second-hand vehicle, which required a large amount of work recently. Thankfully, a local business, Jigsaw Medical came to the rescue and covered the cost for the charity. However, following this scare, it was realised that a new vehicle was urgently needed.
Despite COVID, our numbers continue to grow. We currently have nine responders who have so far attended 75 incidents in 2020, with the majority of these incidents being Road Traffic Collisions. Our responders are supported by a further eight volunteers, who keep the charity running.
Our Chair, Dr Graeme Spencer said:
“We are extremely grateful for the generous donation from the HELP Appeal. The new car future proofs our ability to respond to the sickest patients in a safe and timely manner.”
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal added:
“These volunteers are the unsung heroes of emergency care. This important addition to their fleet of cars is in recognition of their lifesaving work – all carried out in their spare time – supporting local ambulance crews faced with hugely complex incidents, where people’s lives are at serious risk. This RRV will help these volunteers to reach incidents quickly and safely to help treat patients and give them the best possible chance of survival and recovery.”
The vehicle was purchased via BMW Government & Authorities Division and converted by Coleman Milne Specialist Vehicle Division where Paul Gilbert added:
“It was a pleasure to carry out this conversion on behalf of CSIBASICS. We fully understood what a difference this vehicle would make and we worked closely with the team to make sure the vehicle would meet the specific requirements of the team.”
We are one of a network of schemes across the UK that operates under the umbrella of the British Association for Immediate Care – a national organisation.
The HELP Appeal was created 11 years ago by the County Air Ambulance Trust. It is the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads. To date, it has funded 39 helipads, which have received over 16,000 landings. The HELP Appeal relies solely on charitable donations and does not receive any government funding or money from the National Lottery.
We are now fundraising to update the equipment for this vehicle. The latest equipment is expected to cost in the region of £44,500. If you are in a position to assist as part of your social enterprise efforts or would like to run a fundraising event, then please get in touch.
**Please note that the private number plate was a donation to the team and has not been paid for with charitable funds or via HELP funding**