ADVERT I SEMENT F EATURE
East Anglian Air Ambulance, our chosen charity, operates 365 days a year THERE FOR YOU WHEN NEEDED MOST
t was a normal day in July for the Day family when one-year-old Charlie had to be airlifted to a burns unit by the critical care team at East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). The family, from north London, were enjoying a summer break in Great Yarmouth when Charlie badly hurt himself. Dad Chris, mum Bailyn and Charlie were just getting ready to leave the holiday lodge when, as lunch was being prepared, Charlie burst into the kitchen. Within seconds, he had reached up on to the kitchen counter and pulled a pan of boiling hot water all over his chest, torso and face. Charlie’s parents rushed him into the shower to try and cool the burns down as quickly as possible and dialled 999. Recognising that Charlie would most likely need specialist treatment, a team from EAAA was rapidly dispatched alongside an ambulance. In less than ten minutes of being activated from Norwich, doctor Chris Chadwick and critical care paramedic Gary Steward arrived at the scene after pilots Steve Norris and Rob Gleave landed the EAAA helicopter on part of the holiday park. CHARLIE WAS QUICKLY AIRLIFTED TO CHELMSFORD FOR SPECIALIST CARE The burns Charlie suffered were very severe and he required advanced pain relief and emergency burn care before being flown to the specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, where a team was ready and waiting to treat him. By air, the flight took 45 minutes. By road, even under blue lights, this would have taken at least an hour and a half. In this situation, the transfer provided by EAAA made a significant difference to Charlie’s care. “I really can’t thank the ambulance and air ambulance teams enough for what they did for Charlie,” said Chris, who travelled with his son in the helicopter. “They walked into a crazy scene with Charlie screaming in pain and us trying our best to cool his wounds down, but they were incredibly calm and quick in everything they did. They didn’t waste any time in treating
IMAGES It’s thanks to the swift response from the East Anglian Air Ambulance team that Charlie was able to get the specialist care he needed for his severe burns, and now he’s back to his usual cheeky self!
• Keep an eye on the EAAA events calendar to take on a challenge in 2021. • Sign up to play in the weekly lottery, which funds over 45% of the service. • Consider leaving the charity a gift in your will, which you can create using the charity’s free will writing service. TO SUPPORT EAAA IN 2021 , YOU CAN:
• Ask your work to support EAAA as your chosen charity. • Remember to Get Up and Go Yellow for EAAA in June.
Charlie and getting us to Broomfield. Most of all, they really helped me to keep it together. It all happened so fast and was absolutely terrifying. I think we might have lost Charlie if it wasn’t for them, but the team, especially the doctor, knew what to do and were very reassuring. They are true heroes.” Once at Broomfield, Charlie went straight into surgery for specialist treatment, which included having Biobrane mesh fitted, to promote healing. Charlie was in intensive care for two days and then spent ten days on the burns unit, with his mum staying with him as much as possible. Once home, the EAAA aftercare team sent Charlie a bravery pack and kept in touch with the family for support. Incredibly, just a few months after this ordeal, Charlie was back to his usual cheeky self; very active and happy. Some
areas of Charlie’s skin have pigment damage, which should resolve in time, and he has a pressure suit to help with scarring. Due to the quick and expert treatment he received, Charlie has made a wonderful recovery and was able to enjoy Christmas at home with his family. East Anglian Air Ambulance can only keep its yellow helicopters flying and saving lives like Charlie’s thanks to the generous support from the local community. This year, the helicopters plan to start flying 24/7 to be there for even more people.
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