East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is a 365-day-a-year helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk. They exist to save lives by delivering highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics by air to seriously ill or injured people in the region. Surprisingly, they DO NOT receive regular direct government funding and the £17 million they need to raise this year comes directly from charitable donations. They are only kept airborne thanks to incredible supporters.

Lizzie's Story

Monday the 9th May 2022, had been just a normal day like any other. Little did we know, our lives were about to change forever.

Aaron and Ben had walked in from work as normal, but shortly afterwards, Aaron was struggling to breathe. Ben called me at 5.16pm (on my way back from Tesco) and then called 999. By the time I got home at 5.22pm, Aaron was sat on our bed, gasping for breath. I had no idea what was wrong with him as he laid down. He closed his eyes, turned grey, stopped breathing and frothed at the mouth, so I tried to commence CPR. As he was on the bed, this was not effective.

My sister and brother-in-law arrived and the four of us pulled Aaron onto the floor where my brother-in-law gave CPR. The first responder arrived at 5:29pm with a defibrillator, but it was telling us there was 'no shockable rhythm' and to continue CPR. We were told by the first responder to make a code 9 999 call. A local off duty Critical Care Paramedic from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance service arrived shortly afterwards and began giving Aaron oxygen. Within minutes two road ambulances arrived and had set up a machine to take over CPR and then the Essex and Herts Air ambulance (as they were already airborne when the call came through) landed in a field nearby.

It was apparent quite early on that things were looking quite bleak, but the air ambulance crew tried everything they possibly could to try and save Aaron. They took time to explain what was going on and what they were doing and were such an amazing team of compassionate people. At 6:26pm the machine delivering CPR was turned off and all other medical intervention was stopped.

Although I was present in the room the whole time all of this was going on, it was like I was floating around looking down on the situation. You think to yourself, this kind of thing happens on the television, or to other people, but suddenly you are faced with the harsh reality. Such a surreal time. There were nine emergency health workers in our bedroom working on Aaron, but it was the Air ambulance crew (+ the off duty member of the same team) that really stood out as being empathetic and kind hearted and not just 'doing a job'.

The Air ambulance service don't just provide critical care, they also have patient and family liaison teams to support patients and their families with any aftercare they may need. Three weeks after Aaron passed away, the off duty crew member came to my house to see how we were getting on and asked if we wanted him to explain anything, or fill in any gaps from the evening. He said he also wanted to let his crew know how we were doing. Amazing people, please support us raise money for this crucial charity.

Tanya's Story

The Air Ambulance is a charity that is close to my heart. They first came into my life in 2019 when they Airlifted my second cousin after he suffered a heart attack on Bridlington sea front. Dan was only 25 at the time and although he had a long road to recover, without the air ambulance crew he wouldn't be here today.

Lizzie is one of my best friends and when I found out she has signed up for Trek 24 I couldn't let her do it alone. Lizzie and her family have been through so much over the past 2 years and I cannot imagine how tough life has been since they lost Aaron.

I know Lizzie and her family will be forever grateful to the air ambulance crew that attended to Aaron on the evening of the 9th May 2022 and although tragically they were unable to save Aaron they have been a great support to the whole family.

Walking 24 miles isn't going to be easy but it will be an honour to walk with my friend in memory of Aaron. Please help me raise some much needed funds for this amazing charity.