On Sunday 29 September Caroline Creer, Michelle Southcott, Damon Roel, Richard Walker, Heléna Holt, Nigel Hare, Jenny Jameson, Laura Board, Andy Roberton, Rosey Oakes, Chris Abrahams, Julie Stapleton, Mel Stevens, Louise Newbery, Neil Gauntlett, Steve Tupper and Maureen Clarke will be taking part in the Wilkinson Dragon Boat Race in Exeter as part of National Air Ambulance Week.

Whether you live in Devon, are on holiday or business, or simply passing through, it’s reassuring to know that, should you have the misfortune to be taken ill or have an accident, one of the county’s two Air Ambulances will be at hand. 

Funding for Devon’s Air Ambulances comes from the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, a charity, which has to raise in the region of £4.5 million every year

A helicopter comes into its own because of its ability to reach the most remote locations quickly.  It flies in a straight line and is unaffected by traffic jams on the ground.  Devon has an extensive road network of over 9,200 miles, many of which are simply tracks.  With an Air Ambulance, the whole population (more than a Million) plus summer visitors, is able to receive much needed medical treatment as quickly as possible.

Between the two helicopters, 50% of Devon can be reached by Air Ambulance within 5 minutes, and all of it within around 20 minutes.  Another advantage of using a helicopter is it can go direct to the hospital that can best deal with the specific injuries of the patient

Just one of the many people who have been airlifted is Dave Farr.  Dave had an industrial accident and was literally cut in half by a sheet of metal.  Once at the hospital, in order to save his life, the surgeons had to perform a full ‘hind quarter amputation’ on one side. 

Dave said ‘I know if it weren’t for the Devon Air Ambulance that I wouldn’t be here today.  During the long period I was in hospital, the only thing that kept me going was that my daughter was getting married and I was determined to walk her down the aisle.  I did this, but if the Air Ambulance hadn’t reached me so quickly and got me to hospital so quickly, I know that I wouldn’t have been there to do it.’

If you can spare a pound or two to support Devon Air Ambulance Trust, we would be extremely grateful – and if you live in Exeter or near by, why not come and cheer us on at Exeter Quay from 10.30am