Air Ambulance Week takes off

Air Ambulance Week 2024 begins across the UK from today (September 9), to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities here in Devon and across the UK.

During the national awareness week, organised by Air Ambulances UK, Devon Air Ambulance will also be joining other air ambulance charities around the United Kingdom delivering the message: “Today’s Supporter, Tomorrow’s Lifesaver.” 

Anyone, anywhere in the UK can become a patient at any time. The message, “Today’s Supporter, Tomorrow’s Lifesaver,” reminds us that by becoming a supporter today, you can help save lives tomorrow.

So far this year Devon Air Ambulance has been called to more than 1,700 missions across the county and further afield to neighbouring counties too, forming a vital part of the emergency services response teams and making a lifesaving difference. 

The Air Ambulance Week campaign also highlights how air ambulance charities such as Devon Air Ambulance need your support to continue to deliver advanced pre-hospital care to people with a sudden life-threatening injury or illness, helping to save lives and improve patient outcomes.

Each act of support today creates hope for tomorrow, increasing the chances of survival. Patients like Mary who left her home in Chudleigh to enjoy a leisurely dog walk and found herself needing the urgent attention of Devon Air Ambulance’s critical care team when she was struck by a car.  

Mary approached a gateway leading out onto the road ahead. As she gingerly edged through the gate to check for oncoming traffic, she was immediately struck by a vehicle sending her up and over the car before landing with a broken arm, pelvis, head injuries and more.   

Due to Mary’s injuries and her rural location, the Devon Air Ambulance crew was immediately sent to the scene where their clinicians fully assessed Mary before stabilising her. Mary was then airlifted to Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital where she underwent three orthopaedic operations to repair her arm and pelvis. She spent a further ten days in hospital.

Mary said: "There is always someone else who needs DAA’s services, we often see them flying past Chudleigh, particularly over Telegraph Hill where there are a lot of road accidents. I think everyone in Devon appreciates the service so much, even if they haven’t had to use it personally. We all know that we live in a tricky part of the country with the moors, valleys, coastal paths, horses, and farming machinery that are all big risks."

Read more of Mary’s Story and years of fundraising she has done to say thank you to Devon Air ambulance here: https://bit.ly/MaryMarker 

If you would like to show your support of the vital work of Devon Air Ambulance during AAUK week, please click here to donate: https://www.daat.org/donate/donate-now