Cambridge Edition November 2020 - Web

ADVERT I SEMENT F EATURE

LIFE-SAVING MEMORIES As East Anglian Air Ambulance continues to mark its 20th anniversary, we share some memories from local supporters who have benefitted from its vital work

MEGAN FROM CAMBRIDGE I used to be a fundraising intern at EAAA and loved it! Recently the crew came out to my auntie who had a burst brain aneurysm, and if they hadn’t gotten to her as quickly as they did, she would not be alive today. She’s currently in rehab and will be for a long time, but she’s making progress. I really can’t thank the crew enough for what they do! They’re all amazing! stabilising my condition and getting me to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, so that I can be here today. I might have lost part of an arm, but thanks to EAAA, I am alive. This is why I support EAAA and will continue to do so for as long as I can. SUE FROM CAMBRIDGESHIRE My memory is of the EAAA crew JUDY FROM FOWLMERE On 3 February 2014 I had a cardiac arrest while at home. I was helping my eight-year- old daughter with her homework and had only just returned from work. My husband, on calling 999, performed CPR for 12 minutes while awaiting an ambulance. The EAAA team by road attended first and, without their intervention, I literally would not be here today. Not forgetting how proud I am of my husband, he is also my hero! LUCY FROMWILLINGHAM On 8 November 2019 the crew were called out to my husband, who had dislocated his hip and broken his femur. He was in considerable pain and the doctor had to administer ketamine before he could move him. It was incredibly traumatic, but also a crazy couple of hours as my husband was treated on the kitchen floor. The crew were amazing with him and with me. Sadly, my husband passed away three weeks later from the cancer that had metastasised in his bones. I will never forget or thank enough the amazing team that helped us through that day. MARIA FROMWESTON COLVILLE I fell off a horse on 1 December in 2011. I knew immediately that it was bad as I couldn’t feel anything below my neck. I will never forget the care I was given with such professionalism by the crew that day. To extract me from a ditch without moving my spine, in a lot of mud, must have been

IMAGES Sue from Cambridgeshire (centre left) visits the EAAA base and crew

very difficult, but done so quietly and calmly. I spent a long time recovering, but I got my life back. I am eternally grateful to you all for what you do. I often see you flying over my village and always wave! NIKI FROM HAVERHILL The 16 April started off the same as all the other lockdown days. Then my eight-year- old son, Dylan, had his first seizure and stopped breathing. I administered CPR until the ambulance arrived. They could not bring him out of his seizure, however, he was now breathing for himself. This was short-lived as he stopped breathing again while the ambulance was still outside our house. It was then they told us they had called the air ambulance for help. We know EAAA is not called unless it is life and death, so to think of our boy being in that situation was horrible. Dr Jo from EAAA was fantastic and kept us informed about what was going on. My son was not in a position to be flown to Addenbrooke’s, so we went in the ambulance. Jo worked on him the whole way, telling me what she was doing and why. Once at hospital, Jo stayed in the ED with Dylan until the doctors were confident to take over his care. After four long days, we were discharged with a diagnosis of panayiotopoulos syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. Sadly, we have to live with the risk of knowing we might need EAAA again. However, I know that we will be in the best care if we do.

Support EAAA by playing the 20th anniversary raffle, with 15 prizes up for grabs at just £1 per ticket! eaaaraffle.org Leave EAAA your memory and find out more about the history of the service at eaaa.org.uk/20years GET INVOLVED AND HELP EAAA SAVE LIVES

C A M B S E D I T I O N . C O . U K

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0