East London News A Force for the community…
LONDON’S AIR AMBULANCE came in to land at West Ham’s Rush Green training ground earlier this week – to celebrate the Ambulance’s 30th anniversary.
The Air Ambulance began its work in 1989. It operates from 8am to sunset every day and has saved countless lives in the last 30 years. It’s success comes because the helicopter can get experienced trauma teams and equipment out to serious accidents very quickly. The team can then stabilise patients before they are taken to hospital. It gives badly injured people a chance to survive which conventional medical emergency services cannot match.
The Air Ambulance was welcomed to Rush Green by the Hammers’ Joint Chair, David Gold – who is a pilot himself. Joining the Hammers welcome party was Hammers fan Matthew Nice, who told how the Air Ambulance saved his life back in 2002. Matthew explained that he had been working in south London and managed to strike an 11,000 volt cable. The electricity went right through him, leaving him with several injuries and burns – and totally dependent on speedy service from the helicopter scheme.
Astoundingly, given the service the Air Ambulance provides, it is not funded by the NHS but relies on charitable donations. You can donate to the London Air Ambulance Charity here:
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