Many thanks to Steve Thompson for his entertaining presentation about Cornwall Air Ambulance, the first in Britain with a mission count of 24,217 in 27 years.
Whilst beautiful Cornwall’s remote landscape of snowy moors, outcrops, cliffs and beaches can be dangerous, the small red Eurocopter can be a welcome sight. This is especially true for farmers and fishermen, rugby players and the elderly who constitute a notable part of the 58 per cent medical (heart attack and strokes) and 38% trauma (injuries) call outs.
Based in Newquay Airport, as an emergency service the helicopter has precedence for lift off, carrying the pilot, two paramedics and a vast amount of kit only three minutes after the 999 call is rerouted via Exeter. It can even be landed in back gardens and car parks - where once a zealous traffic warden tried to give paramedic Steve a ticket!
The Air Ambulance is a charity, costing it £2 million a year to run the helicopter, with no Government or Lottery funding, relying on us to fundraise and volunteer to help, telephone 01637889926 for more information.
The competition for a specially designed egg cosy was won by Jan Lloyd.
Calligraphy with Vanda Trottman is at the Methodist Schoolroom, 7.30pm, Thursday April 10.
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