Heroes of the sky

We hear about just two of the many lives saved by the invaluable Cornwall Air Ambulance service.

Keith was on his garage roof on a beautiful summer’s morning in Porthleven when he suddenly developed severe chest pains. With time critical, Cornwall Air Ambulance were requested. After landing at Porthleven Cricket Club, the crew and pilot got Keith to Royal Cornwall Hospital in just seven minutes, where a medical team was on standby to provide further treatment. Keith’s wife, Sharon tells us: “The doctors at the hospital told me he had about five minutes to spare. I don’t think the Cornwall Air Ambulance crew realise how special they are; they think it’s just another job.” Thanks to your donations, Sharon continues, “Keith is here to see our granddaughter grow up.”

“The doctors at the hospital told me he had about five minutes to spare. I don’t think the Cornwall Air Ambulance crew realise how special they are; they think it’s just another job. Keith is here to see our granddaughter grow up”

In another time-critical emergency, a head-on car crash left two-year old Talan with head injuries so severe that he spent two days fighting for his life in a coma. Talan’s mum, Kelly tells us how the Cornwall Air Ambulance helped keep her son alive. “His little head was hit so hard in the accident that his skull fractured across his forehead. After being flown to Derriford, the doctors told me that he would need to be transferred by the Cornwall Air Ambulance to Bristol for specialist treatment. They told me to say goodbye before he was put into the helicopter.”

Miraculously Talan spent only five days in hospital before being allowed home. Kelly finishes: “I’m so grateful to the Cornwall Air Ambulance for helping him that day and being so incredibly supportive. I cannot thank them enough.”

These stories are but a drop in the ocean when considering just how many life-saving missions the crew carry out every year, and it may come as no surprise that such high demand requires the very best in equipment and, of course, transport. Cornwall Air Ambulance urgently need your help to raise £2.5m to bring a faster and bigger air ambulance helicopter to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by 1st April 2020. So if you’re looking to give back this Christmas, a donation to this incredibly worthy charity will make all the difference to individuals like Keith and Talan for many years to come.  

DISCOVER MORE

Text ‘SAVE’ to 70144 to donate £5 to the New Heli Appeal or visit the Cornwall Air Ambulance website to find out how else you can help.