Now Flying by Night As Well As by Day! Read Our Interview with Doctor Simon Hughes: Page 19 Uplifting Stories from Our Inspirational Patients 4

HampshireHeli and Isle of Wight Airmed Ambulance Magazine spring56 2016 Now Flying by Night as well as by Day! Read our interview with Doctor Simon Hughes: Page 19 Uplifting stories from our inspirational patients 4

360˚ IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE 10 looking into the future.

/WELCOME

Contents Welcome Welcome from Alex Lochrane 1 News / Reader’s photos & letters 2/3

to the Spring edition Uplifting Stories 4/7 of Helimed 56 Brian Hygate / Nick Mills Fundraising 8 Leave a Legacy

Challenges and Events 9

Feature – Immersive view 10/11

Feature – Beaulieu Launch 12/13

Volunteering 14/15 Welcome to the Spring issue of Helimed 56. This is an Young Volunteers / Boomtown important issue of the magazine as it serves as a reminder of how far we have come as a charity in the eight years since Community & Corporate 17 we began operations in July 2007. The photograph on our front cover speaks volumes; we are now able to undertake Night Flying 18 emergency missions during the hours of darkness, as well as 10 Facts about Night HEMS daylight, reaching sick and injured people when they need us most. Crucially, we are now able to land on a motorway Meet the Crew 19 after dark, which in the winter months can mean any time Dr Simon Hughes from 4pm onwards, at the height of rush hour traffic. Today your Air Ambulance also carries blood on board, and there Fundraising 20 is a Doctor on board 97% of the missions that we undertake. Flight For Life Lottery This means quite literally that we are able to bring the accident and emergency department to the patient and Feature - Children’s page 21 perform life saving treatment at the roadside. Drawings and games for our young supporters Inside this issue you can read the inspiring stories of some of those who we have been able to help, including Brian Hygate who is still seriously fanatical about cycling, despite the accident that left him with a smashed hip, a overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff and pupils. If broken pelvis and three crushed vertebrae. Nick Mills also you think that your local school would be interested in a visit describes the day that we transferred him from St Mary’s from HIOWAA, please get in touch with our Schools and Night Hospital on the Isle of Wight to Odstock Hospital so that he Youth Co-ordinator Joanna Hennessey at joanna@hiowaa. could undergo the operation needed to save his fingers after org. As part of a vibrant and progressive Air Ambulance a horrible accident at work. community, we know we can never rest on our laurels if we At HIOWAA we always strive to be the best at what are to further develop the service that we provide. People we do; both as a provider of Helicopter Emergency in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight trust us to be there Medical Services (HEMS) critical care and as charitable when they need us most and we work continuously to prove organisation. So when the opportunity arose to create a worthy of this trust and to preserve the strength of our unique fundraising tool that would bring an Air Ambulance Flying Hampshire and Isle of Wight reputation. None of this would be possible, however, without mission to life in a classroom or a summer fete, we were Air Ambulance you and your support. On behalf of everyone at HIOWAA, intrigued. Read more about HIOWAA’s foray into the 360° 4 Kings Park Road, thank you for all you do for your Air Ambulance and I hope Immersive Experience on page 14-15 of this issue, and Southampton,SO15 2AS that you will continue to support us so that together we can about the day we set out to film a mission in 360° vision. t: 023 8033 3377 continue to deliver our life-saving service. e: [email protected] Our fundraisers will be out in the community with our 360° www.hiowaa.org headsets this summer; if you do come across them, I hope you will have the time to try the 360° experience. Registered Charity Number: 1106234 Alex Lochrane Launched Company Number: 5244460 As your Air Ambulance, we take particularly seriously our responsibility to promote safety, education and emergency Chief Executive Editor: Caroline Tyree awareness within our region. From its standing start in Design, Production Management & October last year, I’m delighted to report that we have Cover Photography: now reached over 16,000 children through our ‘Be a 999 3 Men & a Suit – www.3men.co.uk Hero’ Schools and Youth campaign, and have received b 1 NEWS Helimed The latest stories from our Crew and Fundraising Team O to save a life! Your We are always pleased to receive your letters Kerry Dowling (Blood Transfusion Section Manager) and Dr and photographs of our helicopter on day to day missions. Your photographs show the Air Elizabeth Shewry (Consultant Anaesthetist), University Hospital Ambulance in areas that land vehicles might not Southampton, trace the journey of blood from donor to patient. be able to get to, such as remote rural areas. Thank you to those who are featured below. Upgrading the facilities at our Thruxton Airbase.

Angela Proost

O Negative and Box O negative unit The blood journey begins with a gift at this decision. The team check the blood the local National Health Service Blood and using the blood tracking device and then Transport (NHSBT) donation suite. Only 7% of connect it to the patient via the warmer. the UK population are blood group O Negative, Patients are very closely monitored during termed the universal donor, which can safely this process and their injuries treated be given to any patient in an emergency to during the journey to hospital. Patients save a life. The donor’s gift is rigorously tested with serious injuries who require blood and manufactured into the final product at an will generally be taken to UHS, the Major NHSBT blood establishment and then acquired Trauma centre for Hampshire and the Isle by hospitals such as University Hospital of Wight. Southampton (UHS). Specially qualified Emma Bailey Biomedical Scientists carefully store, allocate The hospital and prepare the blood for patients, including When the patient arrives at hospital, HIOWAA patients. The blood is packed into the trauma team are already waiting for special temperature controlled boxes, used them in the Emergency Department; often With the launch of night HEMS (Helicopter location for the base, the current facilities do by the military, to allow storage on board the patient will need to receive further Helimed 56 for 48 hours. SERV Wessex blood. The HIOWAA team hand over Emergency Medical Services) earlier this not provide the right environment for extended is a wonderful charity that then provides to the trauma team, letting them know year, and as the service provided by the Air shifts (the Air Ambulance now operates from free transport for the NHS in Hampshire, that the patient has been given blood allowing UHS to use the money that is saved at the scene of the accident. Whilst the Graham Stokell Ambulance evolves, it is vitally important that 7am until 2am) and lack the training facilities on healthcare. SERV Wessex bikers deliver HIOWAA team has been working hard the charity’s Airbase in Thruxton meets the to support the crew in the delivery of enhanced the blood to HIOWAA’s Thruxton airbase at the scene, our HIOWAA paramedic on and return unused boxes to avoid wasted the HEMS desk, who dispatches the Air changing needs of the crew. clinical care. donations. Ambulance, will have been in contact The crew currently occupy a set of old with the blood transfusion service. It At the HIOWAA airbase. takes 20- 30 minutes to get each new box Portakabins at the Thruxton Aerodrome, Debbie Anstis from Wagg Consultants tells The blood is stored in a secure room of bloods ready, so once the team have with space in a shared hangar to house the us about the charity’s plans to upgrade the at our airbase, as it is a valuable asset. Each safely handed over a patient, they need to morning the HIOWAA team place the blood, in be ready for any further patients who may helicopter. Whilst Thruxton is an excellent facilities for our crew at our Thruxton Airbase. its storage box, onto the helicopter. Alongside need help. They return the empty box to the blood is a blood tracking device so that the lab, pick up a new box with two fresh we can trace the blood to each patient, a units of blood and are ready to go. The charity took the decision to remodel the current base to ensure We explored several options for the extension of the existing facility special infusion set to connect the blood to that the crew had facilities that would work now, and in the future, to but were delighted when the landlord of Thruxton Aerodrome, Henry the patient, and a miniature warming machine Afterwards support its operational activities. To achieve this, Wagg Consultants were Pelham, offered the charity the opportunity to lease a brand new hangar that warms the blood as we give it to the Because HIOWAA and UHS work so appointed to manage the Thruxton Base Enhancement, having managed for the Air Ambulance crew and helicopter. This completely blank canvas patient; it gets pretty cold out there! closely together to provide our life-saving a similar project for Thames Valley Air Ambulance last year, as well as the would give us the opportunity to design a base for the crew from scratch, service, we are able to follow up with all extension to the Cornwall Air Ambulance base, which was completed in include all the additional facilities needed, and for the first time, give the The patient patients that receive blood. If blood is not March 2016. charity the opportunity to have a presence at the base. When HIOWAA is called to someone used within 48 hours, SERV Wessex kindly With our experience in this field, we are working alongside the This specially designed charity area has been created to enable seriously injured, the team ask themselves collect and exchange it, to ensure that charity, South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and Bond Air Services disabled visitors, and visitors with mobility issues, access to the base. straight away whether they need to give them there is no wastage. to ensure that the base meets everyone’s needs and that the crew have a Providing the opportunity for former patients and their families to meet blood. This is most likely if the patient is very It takes a huge team to make this real input into the design of the new base. the crew and see the helicopter that, in many cases saved their lives, was unwell and has lost lots of their own blood; work, but without the kind gift of blood, The team knew from working with other Air Ambulance services crucial. These visits are often a very important part of the healing process our guidelines can help the team to make this would never be possible. that had already started night HEMS that the base would need to be for many patients and have proved to be invaluable in the past. remodelled to incorporate a flight planning room, better welfare facilities, The move to the new base is programmed for the end of May, and additional offices and a crew room for extended shifts. The new training we will be adding pictures to our website so that you can keep track on facilities would also need to be developed to provide a room equipped for our progress. It will be great to see the jigsaw come together and for training courses and simulation exercises, as well as quiet study areas. the crew to have their first cup of tea in their new home; a modern Air All of these changes needed to take place while the base continued to Ambulance base that meets the needs of a changing service and serves remain operational. the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

2 3 /UPLIFTING STORIES

Sid the Cyclist, aka mumbling gobbledegook gave those With unwavering support from a Brian Hygate of Gosport, is around me cause for concern; my very devoted Margaret, I endured Uplifting incoherent, stammering responses were seriously fanatical about cycling. round after round of physiotherapy A former Royal Navy cycling pointing towards a brain trauma. So, I was quickly transported and a hip replacement. record holder, a National Stories from the scene of the crash to the 24 Hour Championship Holder Our patients are the reason we provide our life Southampton Neurological Unit. It was saving service and their stories remind us of the (454.86 miles podium finisher in only when I was 15/15 on the coma scale, importance of the job we do. We appreciate 1970) and a consistently successful that it was realised that my stammer was that sometimes it can be very difficult to ultra-long distance and club cyclist my “normal” mode of speech, as I’d had a re-visit a traumatic experience and for Meet Sid the Cyclist, ever since, Sid is truly a force to be stammer from childhood. this reason we are very grateful to reckoned with. The crew were incredibly professional and sympathetic, explaining be able to share their stories. But the real story is how Thank you to all of them and a true force to be every aspect of the journey; from the Sid beat remarkable odds to survive we hope that their stories increased noise at take-off to what would horrendous injuries suffered in a serious touch you as much as reckoned with. happen on arrival at University Hospital road accident and got back in the saddle they touched us. Southampton. The journey was very I was out on a 35 mile training ride in to race again. preparation for a 100 mile competition and short, a matter of minutes, as opposed to was just 5 miles from my home in Gosport the hour or so that it would have taken in where my wonderful wife, Margaret, was a road ambulance, especially as the traffic waiting for me. I’d just negotiated the Delme was in near gridlock, because of the crash. Arms roundabout and was heading up the A32 slip road when a transit van decided to cross into my lane at 45mph. ‘The journey was very I woke up on the tarmac wondering short, a matter of minutes, Photo: Simon Heron – 3 Men & a Suit what was going on as a crowd of people fussed around me giving me looks of doom. as opposed to the hour or so with a plan to raise at least £2,000 that it would have taken in a for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air road ambulance’ Ambulance, Sid swung into action and back into the saddle. Within two days of being in the He rode the Prudential Ride London neurological unit, having had various 100, a gruelling long distance ride, on the brain and body scans, my Glasgow Coma trusty bike he bought in 1965 and lovingly Score had returned to its normal 15/15. restored to its pre-accident beauty, and However, due to a smashed hip, a broken succeeded in raising more than £3,700 pelvis, three crushed vertebrae and for the Air Ambulance; almost twice his the attendant cuts and abrasions, I was original target. “I was mad about cycling from the transferred to Queen Alexandra Hospital Today, Sid is cycling every day, hill off; I joined my first cycling club in 1950 orthopaedic department seven days later. climbing and racing in his Farnborough at the tender age of 13 and was hooked. I I remained there for a further six weeks, and Camberley Cycling Club colours raced every distance going, in the UK and trussed up in a back brace and confined to and for his second team, the Fareham abroad. I had never had the bad luck to be a bed rest and wheelchair regime whilst Wheelers. Margaret remains supportive involved in a road traffic accident. my bones knitted back together. Recovery of his cycling endeavours, albeit with that Until 21st August 2012. and rehabilitation were going well, but by same sense of foreboding… I was out on a 35 mile training ride in July 2013 the intensive physiotherapy and preparation for a 100 mile competition exercise had taken its toll on my repaired and was just 5 miles from my home hip joint by wearing away the cartilage. in Gosport where my wonderful wife, This required a total hip replacement. Margaret, was waiting for me. I’d just With unwavering support from a very negotiated the Delme Arms roundabout devoted Margaret, I endured round after and was heading up the A32 slip road round of physiotherapy and a when a transit van decided to cross into hip replacement. my lane at 45mph. I also became determined to raise as I woke up on the tarmac wondering much money as possible to help keep what was going on as a crowd of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air people fussed around me giving me Ambulance flying. Margaret took on looks of doom. My saving grace was the role of ‘Chief Fundraiser’ with the the presence of an off-duty fireman, enthusiasm of someone who had almost a nurse and a passing paramedic who lost a husband, and continues to be left made, what transpired to be the right with a sense of foreboding whenever I’m call to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air out on the road.” You can still donate to Sid’s Ambulance. Back in the saddle – with a mission Through the haze, I do recall campaign by following this link: http:// Photo: Simon Heron – 3 Men & a Suit Three years after his accident and a moment of light relief when my uk.virginmoneygiving.com/brianhygate01

4 5 /UPLIFTING STORIES

They tried to straighten my fingers; it was the most horrendous pain I have ever Thanks to the Air Ambulance, I Nick Mills felt. I nearly passed out, so they gave me arrived at Odstock within about 45 Patient from the Isle of Wight more morphine before trying again. The nurses and doctors that helped me were minutes, where a surgeon and his At the time of my accident I amazing, they kept me focused and made team were waiting. was 27 and working as a self sure I was comfortable. Unfortunately, there was so much damage to my fingers employed joiner with a that the surgeon at St Mary’s Hospital was decent workload. unable to help and the decision was made to ring for the Air Ambulance so that I could be transferred to Odstock hospital as soon as possible. When they contacted my Mother, she just assumed that it would be another chisel cut and I don’t think that she was prepared for what she saw when she arrived. It wasn’t until she saw me being prepped for the Air Ambulance that she realised how serious my injuries were. The Air Ambulance arrived quickly but the crew only had 5-10 minutes to get me on board before thick fog threatened to stop them flying. The team at the hospital walked me to That day I was finishing up a kitchen the helipad, settled me in and made sure job in Bembridge. I had a busy schedule I was ok, talking me through every part of for the next two months and in hindsight the flight and transfer. I remember seeing maybe I was a little too busy. I had just the fog rolling in over the Solent and put in a final set of drawers and was ready talking to the pilot. I don’t remember how to pack up and head off to start the next long the flight was, but it only felt like a job. I wanted to complete the job to a good few minutes. One of the nurses flew over Suit a & Men 3 – Photo: Simon Heron standard, so when my client asked me to with me to meet an ambulance waiting adjust the drawer handles again, I took at Southampton, ready to take me on to moving again. I will be forever grateful to them out and returned to the workshop. Odstock. The ambulance crew were so them for teaching me how to use my hand Alone in the workshop, it was getting lovely, despite the fact that I used about again and to adapt to doing everything with towards the end of the day and stress was 20 bandages and left blood everywhere! fewer fingers. I eventually needed a year of building. I should have gone home, but I Without the Air Ambulance I would physiotherapy, but with their support, I got wanted to get the job finished, so I stayed either have had to be transferred by land back to work after three weeks of leaving and set up the machine - a spindle moulder. ambulance on the ferry, by which time hospital and today I am still able to run my Without thinking, I didn’t set a back stop it may have been too late to save my joinery workshop. I could never have done to stop the wood biting and being pulled fingers, or to have had basic surgery at St any of this without the help and support of through the machine. In a split second Mary’s Hospital. my Mum and Dad, who drove me to Odstock the wood was grabbed, and along with my ‘Without the Air hand, was pulled through the cutter block and spat out on the other side. Ambulance I would either I knew instantly that it wasn’t good have had to be transferred news. I looked down at my hand and three of my fingers had been mangled and the by land ambulance on the bone was poking out of a fourth - there ferry, by which time it may was no way I was going to look through have been too late to save sawdust for the tip! There was no pain for a few seconds, and then it hit me, the my fingers’ worst pain I had ever experienced. I ran Uplifting to another workshop on the site to find Thanks to the Air Ambulance, I someone to help me, but they had gone arrived at Odstock within about 45 home ten minutes earlier, so I ran round to minutes, where a surgeon, Roman, and the farmhouse to find the farmer. We went his team were waiting. I had ten hours of every other week for several months until Stories back to switch off all the machinery and surgery over two days to tidy up my index I could drive again; the support of my Our patients are the reason we provide our life the farmer drove me to hospital. I hadn’t finger, rebuild my middle finger, amputate sister and her husband, who came to see saving service and their stories remind us of the passed out so I didn’t think an ambulance my little finger and re-build my ring finger me every day in hospital; and my friends using what was left of my little finger and importance of the job we do. We appreciate that was necessary. My hand was wrapped in who looked out for me. a pyrocarbon joint, plates, wires and pins. sometimes it can be very difficult to re-visit a his hand towel, which was now soaked in I’ve learned not to take too much on I spent a week in hospital. On day traumatic experience and for this reason we are blood and dripping on my lap. I was taken and to slow down and be more careful. 4, the physiotherapy team got to work If I am getting stressed or tired, I just very grateful to be able to share their stories. Photo: Simon Heron – 3 Men & a Suit straight to A&E, x-rayed, cleaned up and told to wait for a surgeon. on my hand to get it unwrapped and go home.

6 7 /FUNDRAISING Challenges

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Machu Picchu over 3000 metres and walking Leave a Legacy almost 25 miles in one 24-hour 25th February 2017 11th May 2017 period? At nearly 6,000m, Mount A spectacular trek to Machu

Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest Picchu along the Salkantay trail. Running events The Gift of Life mountain and the tallest free- Machu Picchu, the Lost City of standing mountain on earth. the Incas, is one of the most If you’re a runner, why not raise Conquering its snow capped peak beautiful and enigmatic sites of money for HIOWAA by signing has been the dream of trekkers the ancient world. In 2007, the up to one of the many popular and mountaineers for decades. city was voted one of the New running events in our region Seven Wonders of the World, and throughout the year. There are Everest Base Camp in recent years Machu Picchu trips numerous events to get involved 21st September 2017 have become extremely popular with including: Trek through the majestic with adventurous travellers. A peaks of the Himalayas. test of endurance with a stunning Isle of Wight Challenge The Everest Base Camp trek is reward, trekking Machu Picchu is 30th April – 1st May 2016 probably one of the most famous an experience beyond compare. Basingstoke Half Marathon 2nd in the world, and one that every October 2016 keen trekker should consider Three Peaks Challenge Clarendon Way Marathon and doing at some point in their lives. 14th – 16th October 2017 It is without doubt one of the Half Marathon more challenging treks to take Three Peaks. One Team. 24 Hours to 2nd October 2016 on, but the sheer thrill and sense complete the challenge. Great South Run of achievement you experience Can you conquer the challenge of 23rd October 2016 as you arrive at the Base Camp is travelling over 450 miles, climbing hard to equal. Events

Truck Racing The New Forest and Charity concert at Thruxton Hampshire County Show in aid of HIOWAA 11th – 12th June 26th - 28th July 29th October, 7.30pm This popular event attracts This show is hugely popular, The Charity Symphony Orchestra Last year £96,000 was left to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air We strongly recommend that you consult a solicitor or around 5,000 -7,000 visitors, drawing in large crowds every year. have been raising money for Ambulance by supporters of our life-saving service in memory financial advisor when making or amending a Will. Your legal and as the chosen charity of the HIOWAA will have a stand with charities around London and the of loved ones who had passed away. In addition, more than advisor will help you arrange matters to the best advantage year for Thruxton Circuit, HIOWAA merchandise and information about South East for 10 years and, to £250,000 was left to us in the form of charitable bequests (also of all concerned. It can also be immensely helpful if you will have a merchandise stand and the Air Ambulance for the duration celebrate this, they are putting known as Gifts or Legacies). inform us that you have left a Legacy because it helps us to collection buckets around of the show. on Richard Strauss’ An Alpine By leaving us a gift in your will, you can help us save plan for the future and gives us the opportunity to express the venue. Symphony in the beautiful Romsey lives, as well as helping future generations. Funds may not our gratitude and make appropriate recognition of your Victorious Festival Abbey, with all proceeds going be readily available to make gifts during your lifetime, but a generosity. Royal Isle of Wight Portsmouth to HIOWAA. Tickets are available Legacy is sometimes the greatest gift you can give that could County Show 27th – 28th August online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ help secure the long-term future of Hampshire and Isle of 26th June Two days of live music and family musicinromsey or from the Wight Air Ambulance. It will also allow us to plan for our It doesn’t matter how large or small entertainment make Victorious Tourist Information Centre, future by having an indication of upcoming support. Celebrating the best of country life Festival one of the premier 13 Church Street, Romsey A gift to your Air Ambulance is taken out of your estate your gift is. Every gift is valuable and and farming on the Isle of Wight, festivals in the South. SO51 8BT. before inheritance tax is assessed. By making a bequest you could will help your Air Ambulance save lives. this is a fantastic day out for all There is plenty to see and do, reduce or avoid tax and know that you are helping to save lives the family. HIOWAA will have a For more information, please ring us including free entry to all the after your death with the money bequeathed. Depending on the merchandise stand. seaside attractions. HIOWAA will current tax laws, leaving a gift to the Air Ambulance in your Will on 02380 333377 be there with a merchandise may reduce the estate tax burden on your heirs. stand, charity Pod and Teddy Medic mascot. 8 Photo: Simon Heron – 3 Men & a Suit 9 /FEATURES IMMERSIVE VIEW

It is a unique experience. For the first time we were able to watch our crew on a mission ”as though we were actually there. 0

Paramedic Tom Bellchambers wears the go-pro camera. ”

A year from now, the 360° Now imagine witnessing an to capture a mission on film in all its immersive video experience will be Air Ambulance mission in 360° vision. 360° glory. commonplace. But for now, Hampshire Follow our crew from the moment they Our footage was then edited and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is take a call at the airbase, to just before by technical whizz kid the first Air Ambulance charity in the they land at the scene of an incident. Niall Willams, and for the first UK to use the 360° headset as a flight Picture yourself in our Air Ambulance time we were able to watch our crew simulation experience. helicopter, flying over the on a mission as though we were

For those of you who haven’t Hampshire countryside. actually there. 360 come across 360° video; it is a unique On a very cold January This summer we will be out experience. Wearing a specially designed afternoon we went to our airbase in and about with our own 360° headset headset, in our case the Oculus Rift Thruxton, armed with six 360° and supporters will be able to put Development Kit, the viewer is able to go-pro cameras and a specially designed themselves in the shoes of one of our ‘live’ an experience in 360° vision. camera mount. Our plan was to film paramedics and imagine themselves The possibilities are endless. Have you a mission, from start to finish, that on a mission on board G-HIOW, ever wondered what it is like to be a could be projected as a 360° immersive our helicopter. Formula 1 driver? 360° video allows you experience. With the help of Pilot 360° video is the future and to feel as though you are at the centre of Dave Nicholls and Paramedic Tom HIOWAA is proud to be part of it. the action. Bellchambers, we were eventually able THE EXPERIENCE

10 11 Beaulieu Launch

Former patients Danielle Robert Tim Bartley, Tim Daniels, In August 2013 we rescued HIOWAA saved Tim Daniels’ Robert Wilkinson, 9 year old Robert Wilkinson life after a serious accident in Stephen Graham and after he lost control of his 2013, when he lost control of Barbara Robson took scooter and ended up under his bicycle and hit a lamp post centre stage as they a truck. Robert spent over head-on at 31mph. Without watched their stories two weeks in hospital and the quick thinking of his unfold on screen, before being reunited with the made a full recovery. He will friends and the response crew who helped to save always be grateful for what of the HIOWAA crew, Tim their lives. HIOWAA did for him. would not have survived his injuries, which consisted of a Danielle Stephen bleed in his head and breaks In November 2014, Stephen Graham has been to the majority of his ribs, left Danielle Bartley was retired for 23 years and shoulder, back and neck. involved in a serious road has three children and six We celebrate the launch of our new traffic collision which grandchildren. In September Barbara aircraft and our night Helicopter left her fighting for her 2015 he had a nasty accident In September 2015, Barbara life. Tragically, she ended at home when he tripped Robson was involved in a near Emergency Medical Service. up having her right arm over an open dishwasher fatal head-on collision with a amputated just below the door and fell head first into car. HIOWAA arrived within On a cold afternoon in March, guests gathered at the National elbow, but Danielle openly the solid front of an AGA 20 minutes and gave her Motor Museum in Beaulieu for the official launch of our new admits that, without the cooker. Stephen was treated life-saving treatment at the Air Ambulance, and also of our night Helicopter Emergency help of the HIOWAA crew at the scene by the HIOWAA scene. Six months later, Medical Service (HEMS). at the scene, she would not crew before he was taken to Barbara is now well on the way be alive today. Basingstoke Hospital. to full recovery.

Guests gathered to see our new helicopter land in front of the National Motor Museum before hearing from HIOWAA pilot Dave Nicholls about the preparations that the crew have been making for night flying.

12 13 /VOLUNTEERING

Our VOLUNTEER Volunteer’s PROFILE/ PETE Story BURCH Photo: Simon Heron - 3 Men & a Suit

Pete Burch began volunteering for HIOWAA in 2015 after a serious motorcycle accident. He spoke to HIOWAA about how volunteering put his life back on track.

Upon returning to the UK, I decided that I wanted to continue to volunteer and when I was 15 I began to teach swimming and lifesaving at my local Scouts and Guides swimming club at Hounsdown School. I taught all ages; from Beavers or Rainbows right up to Explorer Scouts. I have done this every Tuesday for 11 years and was awarded the Chief Scout’s Service Award by Bear Grylls for my long-term commitment.

When I graduated from Winchester University and started Volunteer Pete Burch looking for jobs, the volunteering skills on my CV really helped Volunteering leaves you with such a positive me to stand out as a candidate and to secure an interview. My first interview was for a charity fundraiser position with the feeling and can be rewarding for both parties. Jubilee Sailing Trust. At my interview I wasn’t asked to talk It only costs time, but time tends to be such a about any of the qualifications I had worked so hard to achieve, or my time at University. Instead I was asked to describe my TO START YOUR JOURNEY CONTACT US ON 02380 333377 OR [email protected] short commodity in many people’s lives. experiences in Gambia and to talk about the skills I had learnt and how I had come to appreciate everything we take for My first experience of volunteering was at the age of 14 when, granted here in the UK. It’s a subject I am passionate about, with my local Scout Group, I went to The Gambia to support so talking about it was easy. The Jubilee Sailing Trust hired me because they saw that I had the ability to promote a subject our twin group in Africa. I taught English in the local village which I was passionate about, without preparation. I have been school, helped to install running fresh water in buildings in the asked to talk about my volunteering history at every interview compound and to re-build the fire station. It was such an eye that I have attended, and it has really helped me to sell myself opening experience, especially at just 14 years old. We had many in a positive manner. dramas along the way, especially when half the group, including Following a serious motorcycle accident in March 2015, which me, were incorrectly diagnosed with malaria. Thankfully, we left me paralysed in my left arm for life, my former Chief just had a serious type of influenza which presented very similar Executive at the Jubilee Sailing Trust, also a fellow biker and characteristics to malaria. friend, asked me if I would like to think about completing some voluntary work for the charity he now manages. I lost my job as a result of my injuries and extended time in hospital, and the chance to volunteer for another charity provided the perfect stepping stone to eventually getting back to work. That charity is Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) and his name is Alex Lochrane. Although Wiltshire Air Ambulance actually saved my life, and I support them financially and through occasional PR, their Operations base is a two hour drive from home, so it seemed fitting that I should volunteer for HIOWAA. Being neighbouring Air Ambulances, Wiltshire and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance also often work together in their commitment to saving lives. For more It has been brilliant. I cannot thank the VOLUNTEER AT BOOMTOWN FAIR! information team in Southampton enough. about how you Get Involved, Join The Crew And Raise Funds For I have now been volunteering for HIOWAA since the summer HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT AIR AMBULANCE can volunteer, of 2015 and it has been brilliant. The team at their head office please contact in Southampton are great and very caring. I’ve been looked We are recruiting volunteers to help out at BoomTown Fair in return for free entry to the festival. after so well and have thoroughly enjoyed helping with their Dan or Kirsty on fundraising and educational projects. It has been the perfect THURSDAY 11TH until SUNDAY 14TH AUGUST 2016. 02380 333377 or stepping stone for me to hopefully gain part time, and one day full time, employment and I cannot thank the team in visit our website Southampton enough. To apply for volunteering email: [email protected] www.hiowaa.org Pete Burch and Alex Lochrane 14 15 /COMMUNITY & CORPERATE

HIOWAA Corporate and Community Fundraiser Ray Southam with staff at Angela Holidays.

My name is Ray and I am your I worked for John Lewis for twelve years, new Corporate and Community and during my time with the retailer I was Fundraiser. I joined the charity seconded to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air in December last year and Ambulance for six months. Having gained my role is to develop and a greater understanding of the work that build new relationships and goes into keeping such an amazing service funding initiatives with local businesses in operational, I was determined that one day I our community. Prior to joining the charity, would find my way back here. And here I am!

I’d describe myself as a person with Last year, Angela Holidays chose to make HIOWAA a versatile skill set, a lot of integrity and a their charity partner for the year and staff have been working willingness to go the extra mile to satisfy hard to raise funds for us. Managing director Paula Roe told us; “The charity was a customer. initially chosen because our owner’s daughter in law worked for HIOWAA. Every year we choose a local charity to receive the As you might expect from an ex John Lewis employee, profits of our raffle. Last year we held a raffle on our Christmas I believe that strong customer service skills are the foundation lunch day trip to Paris and another in January at our reunion for establishing trusting and loyal relationships, and I am now on the Isle of Wight. In total we raised a fantastic £1,500 for looking to bring these skills to HIOWAA. HIOWAA”. Establishing relationships with our local businesses Monday 1st February saw the launch of a 3 year can bring more than just financial rewards and the expertise and partnership between the Association of Air Ambulances Charity contacts that our partners bring to the table can open up many (AAAC) and motor insurer Allianz. There are numerous Allianz other opportunities. The connections that we make often last offices across the country, with at least one located in every Air for many years, allowing our partners to really get to know the Ambulance region and we are lucky enough to have two of their HIOWAA family. In recent years our corporate supporters have offices within our coverage area; in Liphook and Southampton. also taken part in our challenges and events, giving them the Allianz told us “Road safety is a major global issue for Allianz. opportunity to step away from their day jobs and learn new skills With this is mind, we believe that it is our social responsibility at the same time. to work with a charity to help reduce road casualties and Oh! And I’m 37 years old and live in Southampton with improve the quality of life of those injured or affected by road my partner and our Hamster “Kevin”. traffic accidents”

If you know of a business that would like to support our cause please do get in touch with me on 02380 333377 or [email protected] 16 17 CrewMeet the Dr Simon Hughes is a Consultant Anaesthetist and the Director of Major Trauma at University Hospital, Southampton. He has been working in helicopter pre-hospital care since

2006, and with HIOWAA since Dr Simon Hughes 2012. Away from his work he is married with two children, and the way I saw it was that I could be a doctor Are there any incidents that stand out in your and fly in my spare time, but not the other mind? What are the new hours of operation for the Air Ambulance now when time allows, way round. I was lucky enough to persuade An incident that sticks in my mind was a that you have started night flying? he loves skiing and the RAF to send me to Australia for a year gentleman who had a cardiac arrest at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Thames Valley flying light aircraft in 2006 to fly on Careflight, the Sydney Air wheel of his truck. His friend gave him CPR Air Ambulance coordinate their timings in order to give both Ambulance. I came back to Oxford hooked and we arrived within minutes to take over. areas a longer period of coverage than would be possible with as the pilot. and then was fortunate to be allowed on He’d been literally dead for a few minutes, a single air ambulance operation. By use of this mutual support the Thames Valley helicopter before moving but the quick actions of his friend, and the arrangement the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have to Southampton when it became a Major advanced care we were able to provide, Night HEMS and Air Ambulance coverage from 7am through to 2am. Trauma Centre in 2012. I am very grateful enabled him to survive long enough to reach that HIOWAA allowed me to join their crew hospital where he needed emergency open and that, despite me joining them, they have heart surgery. I visited him on the ward a few Does night flying require a lot more training for the crew? grown from strength to strength! days later where he was sitting up, smiling Establishing HIOWAA as a night HEMS operation is achieved Do you need any particular qualifications? and joking with his family. He went home just through an intensive training package for both pilots and HEMS All the doctors flying on Helimed 56 are a few days later, completely recovered and paramedics, making them familiar with all the equipment and with no brain damage from his cardiac arrest. What makes you get out of bed in the consultants in either anaesthesia and procedures. This involves 7 hours of ground training followed intensive care or emergency medicine. A Amazing. by approximately 6 hours of flight training for pilots and around morning? Flying consultant must first spend five years at You have worked in Afghanistan in the past. 3 hours for each HEMS paramedic. Thereafter, the crew will I love working on the Air Ambulance. I medical school to become a doctor and receive a night HEMS test once a year, as well as an annual day Can you tell us a bit more about what you did always loved aeroplanes and helicopters then undergo at least nine further years of there? HEMS test. as a child and the chance to combine flying training, plus several exams. However, before Your Questions Answered I was deployed as a consultant for two 3 and emergency medicine is brilliant. It’s being accepted to fly on the helicopter our month tours in 2008 and 2011; both periods Will HIOWAA need more crew now that you have started night nice to get away from my main job working consultants have to undergo further training were during extremely bloody parts of the flying? at the hospital and I love the completely in pre-hospital emergency medicine, and to conflict. I had a number of roles, including unpredictable nature of the job. learn the particular skills required to look Up to now we have operated with two base pilots. For night working on the MERT (Medical Emergency after patients on the helicopter. At the end of 2015 we took possession HEMS, four pilots are required to maintain the shift pattern. Can you tell us a bit about what is involved in Response Team), a chinook helicopter that of our new night capable Air Ambulance helicopter pre-hospital care? How long is your working day? flew right to the battlefield, to pick up and helicopter, allowing us to undertake When night flying, is the helicopter still able to land in small In essence, the helicopter is tasked to the Most of my shifts are 12 hours long, although provide immediate advanced medical care to spaces or will it require a bigger area? most severely ill patients in the region, both it’s common to finish late if we are called to patients. We looked after soldiers, civilians emergency missions during the hours as a means of providing advanced critical and even Taliban. We were often under Due to the increased difficulty of landing in confined spaces an emergency near the end of our shift. care from an expert team of paramedic and enemy fire and flew at extremely low level of darkness, reaching sick and injured at night, the regulations governing HEMS operations require How do you work alongside the paramedics? senior doctor, as well as enabling the most to reduce this threat. No external lighting the size of landing site to be larger. In rural areas at night, the people when they need us most. The rapid transfer to hospital. Typically we Our paramedics, nurses and doctors rely was allowed at night, and very minimal minimum size of landing site is 25 metres by 50 metres. In take the seriously injured patients to the hugely on each other and compliment internal lighting, which helped avoid being state of the art features of our brand urban areas the minimum size required increases to 100 metres Major Trauma Centre at University Hospital each other’s skills and knowledge. Our shot at, but made it challenging to look after by 50 metres (approximately the size of a football pitch). new Airbus H135 helicopter will allow Southampton and can fly there in a matter paramedics are experts in managing the patients! In 2011 and for some of the 2008 us to develop further the service that we of minutes from all across the county and pre-hospital ‘scene’ and are very experienced tour, I worked in the field hospital in Camp provide to our community. What equipment is carried on board the helicopter? Island. We carry state of the art equipment in understanding the logistical issues Bastion as a consultant anaesthetist. We had and very powerful drugs that are able to that every different scene can present. intensely busy periods, and almost all the Here we answer some of your questions about night In addition to the normal medical equipment carried, the As consultant doctors trained in critical aircraft is fitted with equipment to enable it to carry out treat and stabilise the most severely injured patients had either been blown up or shot. flying. or sick adult and child. We work very care and emergency medicine, we bring I’ve never seen so much severe trauma in my landings to unlit areas by night. A powerful searchlight is significant additional skills from our mounted to the left skid, along with four bright LED spotlights closely with the skilled ambulance staff on life and probably never will again, but the What are the new features on the helicopter that make it the ground, as well as the fire and rescue hospital experience, particularly in the care teamwork was fantastic and it was rewarding in addition to the normal two landing lamps. The sophisticated of patients who have had severe trauma specific to night flying? avionics suite includes a moving map system annotated with a service and police. It’s not enough to be an to provide world class care; we were literally excellent hospital doctor, you need to have or serious illness. We can use very strong saving people’s lives on a daily basis. My The H135 allows us to carry more fuel and, of course, to detailed power line overlay and Helicopter Terrain Awareness drugs not available to our paramedics; in operate with Night Vision Goggles, as well as benefit from and Warning System (HTAWS) to increase crew spatial the personal attributes and skills to be able other role was to fly critically injured soldiers to work with numerous other emergency staff particular we can give an anaesthetic to the needing intensive care, in helicopters and more user-friendly aircraft systems. awareness while a power line detection system enhances the most injured patients; provide powerful overall safety of the operation. in very difficult conditions and to be able to Hercules aircraft, between Bastion and make multiple complex decisions. pain relief and perform emergency surgical Kandahar for onward transfer to the UK. It’s procedures. For example, we might open the Have your costs increased now that you have started What was it that drew you to work in this field behind me now as I left the RAF at the end of chest to release pressure from around the night flying? Will the aircraft still attend missions in bordering counties? in the first place? my commission. heart or lungs, or where necessary, perform The charity now spends over £230,000 a month to keep Yes, we work closely with our neighbouring Air Ambulances, and When I was growing up I was torn between the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives. in particular with Thames Valley Air Ambulance. amputation to patients with very trapped or wanting to be a pilot or a doctor. In the end, crushed limbs.

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