SUSSEX AIR AMBULANCE OPEN DAY - Sunday 1st June 2008

Almost a year after the new Sussex Air Ambulance opened its base at Dunsfold Park, the charity held it’s first ever Open Day.

More than 900 people went along to the base on Sunday, and were able to see the Air Ambulance at close quarters and chat to the pilots, doctors and paramedics who fly on the life saving helicopter.

One of the main attractions of the day was a crash scene enactment involving the police, ambulance, fire and rescue, and the air ambulance crew in a high speed dash to an accident scene. The public were able to see the crashed car cut open and the occupant treated by medical crews.

The Air Ambulance was called out during the afternoon to serious road traffic incident, however the public were still able to sit in a helicopter kindly provided by Eastern Atlantic helicopters based at Shoreham and learn how to fly.

Delaine Shearman, County fundraiser for the Air Ambulance said ‘It was a fantastic day and we were amazed at the number of people who came along. It was a shame that the helicopter was called out in the afternoon, but medical emergencies have to take priority and I’m sure that our visitors understood.’

 

Since the base opened just a year ago, the Air Ambulance has responded to over 500 emergency medical calls. It is funded entirely by donations from the public and does not receive financial support from the government of national lottery.

 

Share this story with your favourite social / bookmarking site.