SPRING 2017 - AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK - THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE - Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
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/Ambucopter @LNAACT AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK
G 2017
SPRIN
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE
A NEW HELICOPTER CHILDHOOD DREAM ARE YOU UP TO
– A NEW ERA BECOMES REALITY THE CHALLENGE?
WHAT’S ON... DEAR SUPPORTER
Throughout the year, the Wednesday 21st Sunday 16th
Since the last edition of Sky Shout, we have 365 days of the year. We do not receive any direct
people of Lincs & Notts choose & Thursday 22nd NORWOOD GOLF CLUB
had a very busy six months here at the Lincs & Government or National Lottery funding so this can
to support the Ambucopter LINCOLNSHIRE SHOW FAMILY FUNDAY
at various events across the Notts Air Ambulance. only be achieved thanks to the people of Lincs &
two counties, or host events Saturday 29th Notts who continue to support our Charity. Whether
dedicated to raising money STAY SAFE SKEGNESS Most notably, the end of year statistics revealed that you volunteer your time, undertake a fundraising
for the Charity. Here are just 2016 was the busiest year on record for the Charity event, or help to spread the word about what we do,
a few of the events taking Saturday 29th with 1,009 missions throughout the year. That is over we are grateful to each and every one of you. You
place in the coming months. HECKINGTON SHOW 1,000 of the most serious life-threatening incidents can see just some of the fantastic fundraising events
responded to by the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance from the past 6 months on pages 12-13.
across Lincs & Notts, giving people their best possible
MAY AUGUST
chance of survival in their greatest hour of need. Together we can help ensure that Lincolnshire
Monday 1st Wednesday 2nd & Nottinghamshire continue to have a first-class
RETFORD CHARTER DAY LARK IN THE PARK In 2016, 40% of incidents we responded to were Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for many
Saturday 24th West Bridgford road traffic collisions, 25% were medical incidents, years to come.
Saturday 13th CROWLAND SHOW 17% were industrial/agricultural, 9% were sporting
HARTSHOLME PARK FAIR Crowland Sunday 6th accidents and 9% were falls. Best wishes,
Lincoln REEVESBY SHOW
Saturday 24th
Looking forward, 2017 is shaping up to be a very
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th EAST BRIDGFORD
exciting year for the Charity as, following a short
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE VILLAGE SHOW SEPTEMBER
COUNTY SHOW delay, we are about to take delivery of our AW169
Sunday 3rd helicopter– more on this on pages 4-5.
Sunday 21st JULY WRAGBY SHOW Karen Jobling
Chief Executive Officer
WOODHALL SPA Throughout the year we need to raise £2.5m to
COUNTRY SHOW Sunday 2nd Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th keep the Ambucopter in the skies and saving lives
LONG SUTTON HORSE SCAMPTON AIR SHOW
Saturday 27th & PONY SHOW
MEGA MAY MUSIC DAY Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th
North Hykeham, Lincoln Saturday 8th HARBY COUNTRY SHOW
Sunday 28th
NOTTINGHAM 10K
RADCLIFFE-ON-TRENT
CARNIVAL Saturday 30th
SOUTHWELL
CONTACT US
LINCS HEAD OFFICE
CONTENTS
Sunday 9th PLOUGHING MATCH LNAACT House, Bentley Drive, Saving Lives Every Day 4-5
Sunday 28th SPILSBY SHOW Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, LN4 2QW Spread The Word 6
HOVERINGHAM VINTAGE TEL: 01522 548469
VEHICLE & VILLAGE SHOW Saturday 15th EMAIL: fundraising@ambucopter.org.uk Farewell John 6
STICKNEY SHOW
NOTTS OFFICE Childhood Dream Becomes Reality 7
JUNE Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th Unit 2 Chase Park, Daleside Road Could You Be A Volunteer? 8-9
WOODHALL SPA Nottingham, NG2 4GT
Sunday 4th 40s WEEKEND TEL: 0115 941 2255 Farmers Raise £500,000 10
BRANSBY HORSES’ FAX: 0115 988 1214
SPRING FAYRE Fundraising Focus 10
LOTTERY OFFICE HOTLINE Are You Up To The Challenge? 11
Saturday 10th TEL: 01522 531308
RANSKILL Top Tips for Sporting Events 11
If you would like to hold an event to raise money for the WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK
SCARECROW FESTIVAL
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, email fundraising@ambucopter.org.uk Our Fantastic Fundraisers 12-13
@LNAACT
Saturday 17th or call 01522 548469 (Lincs) or 0115 941 2255 (Notts).
/Ambucopter Thanks to you, my son still has his daddy 14
COTGRAVE FESTIVAL Our fundraising team is looking forward to hearing from you.
Spotlight On... 15
All details correct at the time of going to press
2 SKYSHOUT WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK SKYSHOUT 3
SAVING LIVES
The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance In line with the helicopter industry, future proof which means that it
is now woven inseparably into the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance will comfortably see us through
the pre-hospital trauma network, has recognised the need for an whatever is thrown at it for years
and is more important than increased amount of equipment, to come. Also, it looks fantastic!
EVERY DAY ever in helping to achieve the
remarkable outcomes in patients
who otherwise simply would not
a requirement for 360° patient
access, longer transits to the
most appropriate hospital and an
It’s a very exciting time for all of
us to be involved with the Lincs &
be alive today. The combination increasing desire to provide all of Notts Air Ambulance.”
of improved medical techniques this in the dark.
Since our first flight and a more capable aircraft Chief Pilot, Captain Paul Smith
in 1994, the Lincs & helps to ensure that critically Replacing our Explorer with a
Notts Air Ambulance injured patients have a better state-of-the-art AgustaWestland
has responded to over 0ur new AW169 chance of survival. 169 fulfils all these requirements.
18,000 life-threatening helicopter Cabin space is dramatically
incidents. Working Recent breath-taking advances increased and the aircraft is
alongside other emergency in this pre-hospital trauma care significantly more powerful. It also
services we offer the very means that even our trusty has the most advanced navigation
best chances of survival to Excellent patient care is at the heart of everything we do. MD902 Explorer is now at the top capabilities on offer in the industry.
the most seriously injured The combination of speed, endurance and technology of what it can achieve. It flies very well and is extremely
and ill patients. that the new aircraft can offer, together with the potential
to deliver patient interventions in a warm, dry and well-lit
Since 1994, we have leased two interior will be of huge benefit to our patients. That said,
different models of helicopter.
DID YOU KNOW
it will be a very emotional day when our crew flies the
The first was our blue and white Explorer helicopter for the last time as the aircraft is close
Bolkow. We undertook around to the hearts of our crew, staff, volunteers and the public.
3,700 missions in this aircraft The busiest day of the week for the
before we upgraded to our first Ambucopter between October and
We are proud to say that our Charity Saves Lives Every
MD902 Explorer in 2000. We February was Monday
Day, and with our new aircraft we can continue doing so for
have flown this type of helicopter years to come. This is only possible thanks to the people,
for the past 17 years, undertaking organisations and businesses who continue to support us. The busiest month for the
a further 14,300 missions to date. So, a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you! Ambucopter between October
and February was October.
Last year we made the - Karen Jobling, CEO
decision to upgrade our current
helicopter to a state-of-the-art Between October and February
AgustaWestland 169. This aircraft the Ambucopter went to more
will enhance the advanced RTCs than other jobs, at 36%
critical care that we can offer to
patients, giving them the best
HOW IS THE LINCS & NOTTS
possible chance of survival. It is AIR AMBULANCE CALLED OUT? Lincs & Notts
bigger, faster and has greater
endurance, meaning we can fly
Air Ambulance in
further without the need to refuel. All 999 calls go through to the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) the headlines
Emergency Operations Centre. If the incident meets various criteria –
Our crew have undergone such as immediately life-threating or where time is critical, like a cardiac
training on the aircraft so that arrest for example – the Ambucopter will be dispatched. The crew will
when it arrives they are already receive a call on their ‘bat phone’ at the base HQ at RAF Waddington.
familiar with its layout and
procedures. Although we have While the pilot goes straight to the helicopter to start its engines, the
had a delay in its arrival, this paramedics grab the kit they will need and take down the information
is commonplace when a new about the incident. They can be airborne in less than 5 minutes.
aircraft comes into service and The Ambucopter goes to the most serious of 999 calls.
was anticipated. In the meantime,
we continue to fly an average of 0ur current MD902
three missions a day with our
trusty Explorer.
4 SKYSHOUT WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK SKYSHOUT 5
HELP TO CHILDHOOD DREAM
SPREAD D S REALITY
THE WOR BEC OME
With the arrival of our new AgustaWestland 169
on the horizon, we also welcome co-pilots Llewis
Ingamells and Anna Loake to the team. They will
join Chief Pilot Paul Smith and pilot Tim Taylor in
piloting the state-of-the-art aircraft.
HOW DO YOU ACCESS INFORMATION? If you are holding an event
to raise money for us, or Here Llewis talks about how he went from a helicopter-mad child
DO YOU PREFER WEBSITES OR SOCIAL MEDIA? undertaking a sponsored to co-pilot of the iconic yellow Lincs & Notts Ambucopter.
Anna Loake, Co-pilot
event, please share your
Did you know the Lincs & inspiration for a fundraising news and photos on
Notts Air Ambulance not only event, or want to find out Facebook or Twitter – we “As a child I was always that this was what I wanted people of your home county
has a website, it is also on more about our history, you love to see how the money fascinated with flight, to do when I left school. is about as big of a privilege
Facebook and Twitter making can find all this and more at has been raised. Make sure particularly helicopters as there can be to me.
it even easier to follow our ambucopter.org.uk you tag us too so that we and the idea of hovering After leaving school I
progress and learn more about can help to share your post or levitating. During my trained as a commercial
what we do on a daily basis. We love to share news about among our followers. childhood I built many helicopter pilot and flight
the Charity, our missions and It will be a very
radio controlled aircraft but instructor before working
Our website contains some of the fundraising efforts Please also help to spread it wasn’t until a few years as a commercial pilot
proud moment
information on all areas of of our community on Twitter awareness of what we do by later that I came face-to- across England, Scotland to don the flight
the Charity, from our staff and Facebook. It is a great re-tweeting and sharing our
and crew, to fundraising and way to spread the word about
face with the real thing. and Europe. suit of the Lincs
posts on your own profiles.
volunteering. You can take what our amazing supporters & Notts Air
When I was about 13, I I went on to work as a ‘floater
a look inside our current are doing for us. Why not like
#AMBUCOPTER attended Waddington Air pilot’ for various Helicopter Ambulance.
helicopter or learn about how our Facebook page at Show and spoke to the then Emergency Medical Services
we are dispatched to 999 calls. /Ambucopter or follow us on #SAVINGLIVESEVERYDAY Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance before taking up a role to
Maybe you are looking for Twitter @LNAACT? Pilot George Phillips. It was Captain the Humberside I feel incredibly lucky to be
that chance meeting that Police Helicopter. I soon given the opportunity. To do
led to my first helicopter heard of a vacancy as co- what you love is incredible
flight that afternoon in a pilot for the Lincs & Notts Air but to do it while helping
Bell 206 Jet Ranger – an Ambulance. I had an interview others is absolutely amazing.”
FAREWELL JOHN aircraft I would one day
go on to pilot myself.
with Captain Paul Smith and
CEO Karen Jobling. Llewis Ingamells, Co-pilot
This year we said farewell requested of him including
to long-time volunteer John collecting lottery donations It wasn’t until I spoke to This was perhaps, for me, the
Turner, who sadly lost his and collection boxes, attending George that I realised a flying most important interview of
battle with cancer in January. presentations and helping out career could be an option for my life. Ask any helicopter
Supported by his wife at events, as well as organising me. Chatting with him I was pilot what their dream would
Barbara, John volunteered events himself. told that the Charity’s pilots be and 90% would say
for the Lincs & Notts Air were civilian pilots and that a job with the Helicopter
Ambulance for 22 years. Over the years he helped to raise the operation was not part of Emergency Medical Service,
John pictured presenting a in the region of £300,000 which the military as I had thought. but to fly for your local air
certificate to the organisers During the many years he is an amazing achievement. John I decided there and then ambulance and serve the
of the Richmond Park dedicated to the Charity, John will be sadly missed by all at the
Country Weekend. happily undertook any task Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
6 SKYSHOUT WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK SKYSHOUT 7
COULD YOU BE A VOLUNTEER? THE AMBUCOPTER
ALLOWED US TO SAY
NO OBSTACLES
IN ARTHUR’S WAY!
People volunteer for many GOODBYE TO In my early days of
HOW TO reasons. Some want to learn a
new skill, others want to make
MYTH-BUSTING!
OUR DAUGHTER volunteering for the
BECOME A new friends, some are looking I don’t have time...
There is no minimum
Lincs & Notts Air
Ambulance, I helped
VOLUNTEER to give something back and
some want experience to add to time commitment
In 2001 we received the call
that no parent ever wants
died in the ambulance on the
way to the hospital. We resolved
with outside events
a CV. Whatever your reason for connected with farming.
to get, our daughter Alex to help the Lincs & Notts Air
If you are interested in volunteering, there is a role for you. had been in a serious road Ambulance in return for giving us When I retired in 2006 I
finding out more, please have traffic accident and had been that time with Alex. became an ‘official’ volunteer,
a look at the ‘How you Can Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding experience. airlifted by the Lincs & Notts
You can volunteer as little or as much time as you can, collecting donated goods for
Help’ section on our website Air Ambulance to the Queen’s Since then we have attended the Mansfield Woodhouse
at ambucopter.org.uk all help is very much appreciated. No experience is Medical Centre in Nottingham. many community events on behalf
necessary and training will always be given. shop and delivering items
or contact your local of the Charity, received cheques for customers.
Volunteer-Co-ordinator: We rushed straight there. In due and talked to groups about the
course we were taken to see Alex Ambucopter, taken part in the In 2010, I plucked up enough
lying unconscious and connected Great Nottingham Bike Ride for
Olly Larkin AGE IS NO BARRIER FOR LEWIS! to a life support machine. We ten years raising nearly £30,000
courage to offer to help with
the shop’s banking. However,
Nottinghamshire stayed with her until late the and Jill now sorts donations I was terrible at maths at
Volunteer Co-ordinator The main reason I chose to September 2016. As a volunteer, next day when Jill assisted the every Tuesday morning at the school. With the help of staff,
volunteer for Lincs & Notts I attend community events and medical team to switch off the Nottingham office. We also I succeeded in doing it and
o.larkin@ambucopter.org.uk Air Ambulance is that I gatherings, look after the Charity life support machine. She said “I collect with a collection tin. continue to help where I can.
0115 941 2255 have great respect for the stall, give a friendly interaction brought her into the world and I I also transported equipment
emergency services overall with local people, and raise will help her out of it”. To us, the Lincs & Notts Air and merchandise to outside
and I wanted to give something awareness of the Ambucopter. Ambulance is part of our life, it events, helping to set up
Sue Walker back to the community. We realised later that the fact she gave us the time and opportunity and pack away.
Lincolnshire I do genuinely feel that I am was airlifted had allowed us to to say goodbye to our daughter.
Volunteer Co-ordinator I remember finding out that the giving something back to the spend time with her rather than Before long another
Charity is reliant on donations, and community. Although most people receive a call to say that she had Jill and Don McLaren opportunity came up, looking
s.walker@ambucopter.org.uk without these, the Ambucopter will never require the assistance after collection boxes that
01522 548469 wouldn’t be able to function and of the Ambucopter, I am quick to needed emptying.
ultimately save lives. I felt that remind them that it is far better for
I could be a small part of that it to exist in case the unthinkable
SHAHIDA LIFTS SPIRITS WITH AIR AMBULANCE
I started with 16 boxes in
bigger picture and volunteered happens. The simple fact is, is has Southwell - I now look after
I have long admired the stopped to give money, express
to help make it possible. I started and it will continue save lives. 157 between the M1 corridor
work of the Lincs & Notts Air their gratitude and share their
fundraising for the Lincs & Notts and the River Trent.
Ambulance and supported it stories. Each of them really
Air Ambulance towards the end of Lewis Cartwright, 16.
via the Charity boxes in my appreciated the work the Charity
MYTH-BUSTING! In September 2012, I stopped
local shops. does and the difference it made to
their life at a very stressful time. driving due to eye problems,
I’m too young/old... but continued with the help of
I recently made the decision to
Volunteers can be any a friend who offered to drive
become a volunteer and attended Meeting the very people that the
age, 16 upwards me around. I then found out
my first event at a show for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance had
farmers at the East of England helped and listening to their heartfelt that one of my current drivers
Showground, helping with the gratitude made the day for me. was available to help.
coin collection. It was a very He became a
enjoyable day. Shahida Dar, Notts volunteer with the
Charity too, so
!
MYTH-BUSTING I got a lift with other volunteers and now we do a day
it was great to get to know them as a week together
I can’t afford to well as having a lot of fun. Doing
MYTH-BUSTING! and both enjoy it
get there... the bucket collection made the very much!
ill
Travel expenses w work of the Charity come to life for
I am not qualified...
be reimburs ed You don’t need any Arthur
me as although I read information qualifications – all
on the website, people who had Williams
er training will be given
Lewis Cartwright and Volunteer Co-ordinator Sue Walk been helped by the Ambucopter
8 SKYSHOUT WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK SKYSHOUT 9
FARMERS RAISE £500,000 ARE YOU Top tips for success
at a sporting event
FOR VITAL EQUIPMENT UP TO THE
CHALLENGE?
• Let us know that you will be
undertaking a challenge for us –
Nearly 20 years ago a group of farmers decided they wanted to show their support to the Lincs we can send you a Charity vest or
& Notts Air Ambulance and the Notts Air Ambulance Countryside Appeal (NAACA) was born. t-shirt, posters and sponsor forms
Every year hundreds of people undertake sporting
• Create a Just Giving page so that
Over the years members challenges in aid of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance,
people can sponsor you online
have helped to raise around ranging from 5k or 10k runs and fun obstacle
£500,000 for the Charity, funding courses to triathlons, marathons and skydives. • Make sure you have a well-
everything from an on-board fitting, comfy pair of trainers
defibrillator, training dummy Whether you are a hardened marathon runner or have • Create a training plan that fits into
and uniform for staff, volunteers never ran further than the end of your road before, there is your lifestyle - you don’t need to join
and crew members, to a 4x4 a challenge just for you. Fun runs and obstacle races are a gym, you can train anywhere!
Rapid Response Vehicle and perfect for those with no experience of running or maybe
equipment for the crew’s new • Build up the pace and distance
those who want to run with family or friends. For a tougher
airbase at RAF Waddington. each week – but make sure you
challenge that requires strict training and dedication for
warm up and down before and
months before-hand, there are half marathons, marathons
These items have been essential after each training session
and triathlons across the country to take part in.
to the work of the Charity. • Take a bottle of water with you when
Members are now fundraising you train to keep you hydrated
for additional medical kit for
And most importantly – enjoy
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
•
the new helicopter to ensure
the crew have the most yourself and have fun!
up to date kit available.
£500, Mark Richardson regular contact and share
000
NAACA has kept to its and Craig Williamson are training tips. Long-term runner
farming roots and is now run two of the five people Craig has also given cricketer
by Chairman Geoff Bower
who is a local farmer. He is
running the London Mark advice on trainers and The common factor in all of these
Marathon for us this year. running clothing. The pair challenges is that all money raised
supported by a committee of plan to meet up in London
nine people who are all related for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
The duo, who previously did before the Marathon to prepare
to the farming community. helps to save lives across Lincs &
not know each other, have for the challenge ahead.
Members of the NAACA commi Notts 365 days of the year!
ttee built up a great friendship
after meeting for the first time Show your support by
at an Ambucopter event after making a donation at
registering to run the marathon ambucopter.org.uk/donate
for us. The duo remain in
FUNDRAISE FOR THE LINCS & NOTTS AIR AMBULANCE Why not make 2017
you take on a chal
the year
lenge in aid
of the Ambucopter
Have you been inspired to raise money for the Lincs & Notts Air ?
Ambulance? Every penny counts – whether you are holding a cake
sale, quiz night or fundraising ball! Maybe you have a weird and
wacky idea or a tried and tested idea, let us know.
Email fundraising@ambucopter.org.uk
SATURDAY, 28 MAY
We can supply our fundraisers with posters, leaflets, sponsor forms NOTTINGHAM 10K
in this year’s Notts 10k,
and letters of authority as well as offering guidance and support. It is If you fancy taking part fee,
there is no registration
only with the generous support of local people, organisations, and register through us and 0
dge to raise at least £5
businesses that we can continue to provide a life-saving Helicopter Craig Williamson dressed as our Ambucopter we just ask that you ple reg ister
ort the Charity. To
Emergency Medical Service 365 days of the year in Lincs & Notts. to complete the Gainsborough & Morton 10k in in sponsorship to supp
pter.org.uk
email k.carter@ambuco
preparation for the London Marathon – he even got
a shout out from BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox!
10 SKYSHOUT WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK SKYSHOUT 11
SOME OF OUR FABU LOUS FUNDRAISERS
Tunny’s Tavern at
Pensions Administration Taggs Caravan Park
raised £671.50 by holding raised £3,500
a Charity Golf Day
Air Traffic Cont
Cranwell raiserdol at RAF
from a beard £209
Lincoln Fat Face
shave
raised £548.17 during
a week of activities
Neil Atkin and friends raised
£1,400 taking part in a Mansfield
to Skegness bike ride
Bryan Murfin
and Chris Cha,dWill Thompson
£1,479 takingbourne raised
Monte Carlo orpart in the
Bust rally Dale Fordham raised
The Lincoln Constructi
£8,415.66 at an on &
Norwood Golf Club
Property Awards colle
Ultimate Bikers Charity cted over
A Christmas Concert at RAF £3,000 at their first Aw
raised £4,325.87
fundraising event/bike ards Event
Hutchinson
Engineering Services
Cranwell raised £515.33 night at the White Heather
raised £8,000
during a year of
fundraising events
Bakkavor raised The Notts & Borders Jaguar
£15,000 at their Enthusiasts Club raised £1,500 from
Party in the Park events including BBQs and days out
event last year
and are again Ros Bell raised £575
supporting us SHOUT ABOUT IT! by asking for donations
rather than presents for
this year 10-year-old Sophi her 80th birthday
e Willcock t?
raised £10 0 by ta Do you have photos of your fundraising even
king part in a Email us at media@ambucopter.org.uk tag
us on
32km ride on her
pony, Cole /Ambucopter
Twitter @LNAACT or Facebook
12 SKYSHOUT WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK SKYSHOUT 13
“WITHOUT THE LINCS & NOTTS AIR AMBULANCE SPOTLIGHT ON...
MY SON WOULD NOT HAVE HIS DADDY.”
July 29, 2016, was a day like any
other for Michael Govier. It was
4.30pm and he had just finished
work as a water sports instructor
induced coma which allowed
the crew to administer drugs
to stop the swelling on his
brain, take over his breathing
Dr Simon Topham recalls:
“The conditions were atrocious
on that day. We moved
Dave Gib5bYeoarsn
TIME WITH CHARIT
Y:
Collection Box Co-ordinator
and was about to cycle home and administer pain relief. Michael onto a nearby
to Bracebridge, Lincoln, where driveway to treat his injuries POSITION:
his partner Melissa Hearn Due to the severity of Michael’s as members of the public and
and their 13-month old son injuries he needed to be taken to police officers held tarpaulins Dave Gibbon in
fr
Evelyn were waiting for him. Queen’s Medical Centre urgently over our heads to try and keep House and esta ont of Chatsworth
te,
where a full medical team would us, and Michael, dry. Lady Georgian the home of
It was a short journey that he be waiting. The weather meant a Spencer
had made many times before. that the helicopter could not make It was obvious Michael had a
Although it was a summer’s day, the journey so Paramedic Roger serious head injury, we could
the weather had taken a turn for Linnell and Dr Topham travelled see the swelling getting worse When asked what they know about the Lincs & various roles including management,
the worse and during the short ride with Michael in the land ambulance. every second. Due to his Notts Air Ambulance, most people talk about the administration, volunteer co-ordinators,
home it had started to rain heavily. injuries he was trying to fight distinctive yellow helicopter and the fantastic work fundraisers, media and retail across Lincolnshire
Miraculously, Michael was in us off, making it extremely of the pilots, paramedics and doctors, but what do and Nottinghamshire. Each edition we will get to
Michael explains: “I thought the Intensive Care Unit for just difficult to treat him. you know about the people behind the scenes? The know some of these people a little better. This
about stopping and putting my two days followed by 5 days Charity has 29 members of staff who make sure the edition we speak to Nottinghamshire Collection
waterproof trousers on, but I on a specialist trauma and I made the call to put him into Charity goes from strength to strength, working in Box Co-ordinator, Dave Gibbon.
glanced at my watch and was neurology ward. He was able a medically induced coma by
making good time. I was going to to leave hospital less than a administering drugs which
be home soon so I decided that week after the collision. allowed us to prevent further
Q. What does your role entail? song writing when inspiration Q. Which actor would
rather than spend time stopping swelling on his brain, take over
beckons – songs which go you choose to play you
and putting on my waterproof his breathing and administer A. Working with a great team
Without the from funny to emotional. in a movie of your life?
trousers I would just carry on.” pain relief. We were then able of volunteers to position and
Lincs & Notts to keep him stable and get harvest collection boxes in
Q. What is the most recent
A. Michael Caine, but not
That was the last thing he Air Ambulance him to hospital. This, in part, Nottinghamshire. I also try to a lot of people know that.
book you have read?
remembered before waking helped to save Michael’s life. give support to my colleagues
up two days later in Queen’s
I really believe in order to help maintain a solid A. Religion Explained in an Hour, Q. Tell us something
Medical Centre. Nottingham. I would not be The day that he walked up to team spirit. by local writer Glen Francis Hill. about yourself that
Unknown to Michael he had here now to see me and shook my hand was might surprise us?
been hit by a car. His head had amazing, I never thought that Q. What is the best Q. What one item could
my son grow up. he would have survived his thing about being part you not live without?
A. Due to modesty being one
taken the force of the impact of my many qualities, I rarely
when he collided with the car’s Michael Govier injuries. He is a remarkable of the Charity?
A. Not an item as such, mention it, but, I’m a direct
windshield before ricocheting off. young man.”
A. Feeling the emotions shown but I couldn’t live without descendant of Lady Georgiana
by my team of volunteers and my unusual, weird sense Spencer, the 5th Duchess of
The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance others who have personal of humour. Devonshire. Her grace, known
crew were dispatched. As experience of our Ambucopter. to her friends as ‘G’, lived at
the incident was not far from Q. What three words Chatsworth House but was
our airbase, Paramedic Roger Q. If you could do any job for would sum you up? born at Althorp, the family seat
Linnell and Dr Simon Topham the day, what would it be? of the Spencer family.
jumped into the team’s Rapid A. Survivor, bravado, Geordie.
Response Vehicle and went on A. Whisky Taster. I would
ahead while Pilot Paul Smith drink to that! Q. Who inspires you most?
and Paramedic Jane Pattison
A. As a former Boy Scout,
followed in the helicopter. Q. What do you enjoy doing
Rover Scout, Rover Mate
when not at work?
and Scout Master, I would
It was obvious Michael had a
A. Dry weather gardening, have to say Lord Robert
serious head injury so Dr Topham
playing the guitar and ukulele. Baden Powell, founder of
put Michael into a medically
I also delve into the world of the Scouting Movement.
Michael Govier and son, Evelyn with Dr Simon Topham
14 SKYSHOUT WWW.AMBUCOPTER.ORG.UK SKYSHOUT 15
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