Everyone thinks their dad is invincible; saving you from spiders who have scared to crawl within your house, helping with momentous adult things like applying for mortgages and always being on hand as resident taxi for routes that are outside my 'safe driving list'.

On Sunday 25th August 2019, I was so wrong. What was supposed to be a bank holiday weekend of sun and an adventure to our business venture in Nottingham suddenly changed forever, as my dad began having a heart attack at 5;15pm. 

One phone call to the ambulance began, with an 8 minute wait. No ambulance arrived. 3 further calls to the ambulance service over 2 hours were required; with my poor dad squirming on his bed with only the advice of wet towels, his medication spray and a dose of aspirin. All the ambulances were busy. From keeping updated with the news, I knew that the NHS especially the ambulance service were overstretched and struggling to cope with mounting budget cuts, however at that moment it dawned on me that I wasn't sure if help was going to come in time to help my dad. 

At 7;25pm, the ambulance arrived and confirmed that my dad indeed was having a heart attack with one artery 100% blocked. The crew were so helpful and apologetic for our wait despite it not being their fault at all for the wait, making me so grateful for all that the NHS offers. After being blue lighted to the Freeman Hospital Newcastle Upon Tyne, a stent was put in within half an hour of my dad entering the hospital; saving his life and ridding him from the majority of his pain. 

I am going to participate in the Sunderland Boxing Day Dip 2019 to raise money for the North East Ambulance Service; hopefully to help save people in similar painful situations like my dad from waiting extraordinary lengths of time for treatment. Luckily my dad has been strong enough to not have lasting damage from waiting over 2 and half hours for an ambulance, but I know this may not be the case for some people who may succumb to their injuries before the ambulance can arrive. I would appreciate any money anyone would love to donate, whether it be even £1 or loose change. Thank you! :)

With the funds raised NEAS can help to:Support our volunteers, Community first responders, drivers and porters. With your support we could use donations to recruit more volunteers and further train and support those already working with the service; Install medical equipment such as community defibrillators. We would use this equipment in the community to help prevent deaths from heart attacks; Develop a Cadet Scheme. The Trust is also looking to develop a cadet scheme for young people who are interested in the service