FLYING doctors from the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) celebrated clocking up their 16,000th mission during their first ever fundraising week.
The local service has helped save thousands of lives in Coventry and Warwickshire since its inception in 2003, with each mission funded entirely by generous supporters. The charity receives no government funding, relying on their local communities to raise the £1,700 they need for each mission.
This week (September 21-27), the charity has been holding its first ever Air Ambulance Week. Volunteers have been painting the county yellow by handing out their yellow pin badges in exchange for donations. All money raised from the sale of the badges will go towards saving more lives.
One person who knows the importance of the air ambulance is Jamie Burnett, who was crushed by a dumper truck in August last year. After suffering horrific injuries including shattering his pelvis, breaking both legs, suffering large losses of blood and skin, Jamie had to spend a week in an induced coma.
After an amazing recovery, Jamie finally met the air ambulance doctor who saved his life last month at a surprise birthday party held for him in WNAA’s airbase at Coventry Airport.
Jamie said: “I’m so grateful to Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance for everything they’ve done. Until you end up using it, you just don’t realise how much of a necessity it is.”
Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh6qhOirYUk to watch the moment Jamie met the doctor.
Visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/give to find the badge sale closest to you.
