Devon Air Ambulance joins 21 Air Ambulance charities to raise awareness of the life-saving service for Air Ambulance Week

Air Ambulance Week 2024 takes off across the UK from 9 – 15 September, to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities here in Devon and across the UK. Our local Air Ambulance charity will be sharing stories of previous patients who have benefited from the time-critical care and the ways in which the local community can support them. 

Air Ambulance Week kicks off with Emergency Services (999) Day on Monday 9th September. Devon Air Ambulance have worked with various landmarks and organisations across the county to show their support and appreciation for our network of emergency services across the county. At 7PM the Palace Theatre Torbay, Newtons Place (Museum & Town Hall, Newton Abbot), Exeter Guildhall, Wellington Monument & Barnstaple Clock Tower will all be illuminated with blue lights to celebrate not only the incredible work of our local air ambulance crew, but all of our vital emergency and rescue services.

During the national awareness week, organised by Air Ambulances UK, Devon Air Ambulance will also be joining other air ambulance charities around the United Kingdom delivering the message: “Today’s Supporter, Tomorrow’s Lifesaver.” 

Anyone, anywhere in the UK can become a patient at any time. The message, “Today’s Supporter, Tomorrow’s Lifesaver,” reminds us that by becoming a supporter today, you can help save lives tomorrow. Throughout Air Ambulance Week, we highlight the stories of those whose lives have been impacted by our dedicated critical care medics, who bring the hospital to the patient at the scene! Devon Air Ambulance crews respond to the critically ill and injured across Devon, 365 days a year with their 2 Helicopters and fleet of Critical Care Cars.  

So far this year Devon Air Ambulance has been tasked to over 1,700 missions across the county and further afield to neighbouring counties too, forming a vital part of the emergency services response teams and making a lifesaving difference. 

The Air Ambulance Week campaign also highlights how air ambulance charities such as Devon Air Ambulance need your support to continue to deliver advanced pre-hospital care to people with a sudden life-threatening injury or illness, helping to save lives and improve patient outcomes. Each act of support today creates hope for tomorrow, increasing the chances of survival. Patients like Mary who left her home in Chudleigh to enjoy a leisurely dog walk and found herself needing the urgent attention of Devon Air Ambulance’s critical care team when she was struck by a car.  

Mary approached a gateway leading out onto the road ahead. As she gingerly edged through the gate to check for oncoming traffic, she was immediately struck by a vehicle sending her up and over the car before landing with a broken arm, pelvis, head injuries and more.   

Due to Mary’s injuries and her rural location, the Devon Air Ambulance crew was immediately sent to the scene where their clinicians fully assessed Mary before stabilising her. Mary was then airlifted to Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital where she underwent three orthopaedic operations to repair her arm and pelvis. She spent a further ten days in hospital feeling strongly motivated to improve as quickly as possible as she had an important wedding to attend.

Mary said: ‘There is always someone else who needs DAA’s services, we often see them flying past Chudleigh, particularly over Telegraph Hill where there are a lot of road accidents. I think everyone in Devon appreciates the service so much, even if they haven’t had to use it personally. We all know that we live in a tricky part of the country with the moors, valleys, coastal paths, horses, and farming machinery that are all big risks.’

Read more of Mary’s Story and years of fundraising she has done to say thank you to Devon Air ambulance here: https://bit.ly/MaryMarker 

If you would like to show your support of the vital work of Devon Air Ambulance during AAUK week, please click here to donate: https://www.daat.org/donate/donate-now