Celebrating 20 years of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

April 23^rd 2018

Finale to a year of celebrations for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

As a finale to a year of celebrations marking 20 years of saving lives across Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is holding an Evening of Celebration at Chelmsford Cathedral on Tuesday 22^nd May.

It will pay tribute to the volunteers and supporters who have donated time and money to enable the Charity to provide the best possible life-saving service and pre-hospital care to patients.

The evening, which will be introduced by CEO Jane Gurney will look back at how the Charity has grown, from one Airbase to two, from one Charity Shop to six, and to the purchase of our own helicopter, the AgustaWestland 169.

Jane Gurney said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring staff, volunteers and supporters together at the end of what has been a remarkable year of celebrations marking our 20^th anniversary. The organisation has made such amazing progress since it began with a single helicopter back in 1998, and I am really looking forward to celebrating on this day with many of the people who have made that possible.”

Guest speakers will include our Critical Care Paramedic Tony Stone, providing an insight into life as a Crew member as well as his experience in his new role as Patient Liaison Manager. The New Hall School choir will keep guests entertained.

With an opportunity to meet and chat to the EHAAT Crew, Staff and Volunteers, those attending will get a chance to see how they all contribute to keeping their local Air Ambulance operational.

To obtain a free ticket for the event, visit https://ehaat.org/events/evening-of-celebration/ Groups of 10 or more are asked to call 0345 2417 690.

-ENDS-

Photograph: Jane Gurney, CEO of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

For more information please contact the Communications Team on 0345 2417 690.

Notes to Editor:

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is a Charity that provides Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) for the critically ill and injured of Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.

The service is provided free of charge but, unlike NHS emergency services, the Charity receives no direct funding from the Government or National Lottery. It costs £500,000 every month to keep the service operational and saving lives, and this would not be possible without the generosity and goodwill of people and businesses of Essex, Hertfordshire and beyond.

Each of the Charity’s HEMS teams consist of two Pilots, a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and a Critical Care Paramedic.

These teams, made up of highly-skilled individuals, tended to 1077 patients in 2016 and are the backbone of your local life-saving Charity.

The fleet, consisting of two Air Ambulances, and four Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs - cars) operates seven days a week from 7am to 9pm. After sunset, the Critical Care Team continues to provide the service using Rapid Response Vehicles.

In addition, a Rapid Response Vehicle is operational on a Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm until 2am with a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and Critical Care Paramedic.