Following the launch of the Lions Clubs Air Ambulance Night Flying Appeal, Rye and District Lions have made a further donation to the Air Ambulance of £500. Their total contribution over the last three years is £1,250. In presenting the cheque to members of one of the specialist teams, Malcolm McDonough, Rye Lions President, said “This is a vital service for all in the South East and any of us could have our lives saved by the Air Ambulance in an emergency”.
The seventy Lions Clubs in the South East have been major supporters of the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance service for many years. Earlier this year the South East Lions announced a new and ground breaking partnership pledging £250,000 to fund the equipment the Air Ambulance needs to extend this vital service into night flying and 24 hour operation.
There is an urgent need to extend this vital service into the hours of darkness, giving a potential for attending a further 700 major emergencies each year. In addition to the new equipment, it will be necessary to have an additional 8 pilots and 3 further specialist medical teams. This means the annual operating costs will be some £6 million. The Air Ambulance Trust is an independent health care provider and is not part of the NHS and as a registered charity relies on fund-raising and donations from the public. At the present the specialist teams currently fly nearly 900 flying hours to provide the essential rapid response required to over 1500 medical emergencies and major trauma incidents throughout the South East of England.
Since the start of the Lions Appeal two months ago the total raised to date is approaching £70,000. If members of the public wish to donate to this particular appeal, they should contact their local Lions Club, in the case of Rye and District by ringing 01797 224174.
“Rye’s Own” March 2013
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