Strictly a success for Air Ambulance

26^th March 2019

Success for 10^th Anniversary Strictly Air Ambulance

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT) 10^th anniversary Strictly Air Ambulance, held in front of a packed house at Colchester’s Charter Hall on Saturday 23^rd March, has raised more than £17,500 for the Charity.

EHAAT Critical Care Paramedic James Mullett danced his way to victory at the event, in front of a panel of judges that included celebrity dancers Neil and Katya Jones.

Partnered by professional dancer Emma Burrell of Starlight Dancing in Colchester, James wowed the audience with his two dances. After performing foxtrot to ‘I can’t take my eyes off of you’ his showdance saw him dressed as Freddie Mercury for ‘I want to break free’.

As well as scoring the five couples, Neil and Katya took to the floor for two demonstration dances before leading the audience in a ‘Gangnam style’ dance.

James said: “It was an incredible evening of fantastic dancing and entertainment. A huge thank you to everyone who put it together and those that gave up their time to make it such a magnificent event and to the generous audience that came, donated and cheered us all through it. I'm sure they all went home with songs in their heads and some unexpected images!”

Jen Wall, Volunteer & Events Lead at EHAAT said: “We are thrilled for James and Emma. Their dances were first class and the audience really got behind them. They clearly put a lot of time and effort into practicing their routines.

“We would like to say thank you to everyone who supported us to make Strictly Air Ambulance such a successful event. Without everyone at Charter Hall, our event sponsors Jamesons Chartered Accountants and GCS Alarms Ltd, fundraisers, dancing couples, all those who filled out Charter Hall and our volunteers – none of this would have been possible.

“Neil and Katya Jones stunned the audience with their dances, and the contestants really appreciated their positive comments.”

People can enjoy clips and photos from the night on the EHAAT Facebook page at facebook.com/essexandhertsairambulance

Planning starts early for our 2020 show, so if you are interested in sponsoring or supporting the show in any way please contact the team on events@ehaat.org

This year’s competitors were:

Lisa Jane Rose from Colchester, owner of LJ Rose Accounting partnered by Chris Burrell of Starlight Dancing, Colchester.

Sarah Wareham from Chelmsford, Daughter of EHAAT founder Brian Shipley, partnered by Adrian Wisner of Footsteps Ballroom Wickford.

James Mullett, Critical Care Paramedic at EHAAT, partnered by Emma Burrell of Starlight Dancing, Colchester.

Toni Butterfield, insurance broker, partnered by Sam Jeffrey of Dazzle Dance Centre, Romford.

Paul Dewing from Clacton, owner of GCS Fire & Security, partnered by professional dancer Lucy Heat of Julia Spencer School of Dancing, Clacton

-ENDS-

Photographs:

1. Neil and Katya Jones with EHAAT Critical Care Paramedics Joe Dowsing, Lou Rosson, Gaynor Wareham and Chris Keeliher

2. Neil and Katya with fellow judges Jane Gurney (EHAAT CEO), Philip Meacham and Ben Milan-Vega

3. Neil and Katya performing

4. The contestants with Neil and Katya, Jane Gurney and Su Harrison of Heart FM who compered the evening.

5. James Mullett and Emma Burrell

6. Neil and Katya Jones

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 a 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 £750,000 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 1,491 patients in 2018 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.