Devon Air Ambulance

Sunday 6th October 2019 3:00PM – 3:30PM
Location/Venue: Sidmouth Sailing Club The Esplanade EX10 8BG

How Devon Air Ambulance is relieving sickness and injury in and around the county of Devon through provision of an emergency Air Ambulance Service – a talk by Simon Card.

The Charity was established in 1987 by Ann Thomas whose son, Ceri, tragically died in 1986 when he was knocked from his bike. When she asked the consultant what might have saved her son, she was told that the quicker someone receives treatment the better their chance of survival. This stayed with Ann and she launched the Ceri Thomas Appeal to raise funds to get an Air Ambulance service in Devon. 

There are now 128 live Community Landing Sites across Devon, which have helped make it possible to reach patients during the hours of darkness by providing the appropriately floodlit locations that can be activated remotely so the helicopters can land safely. 

Because Devon is a county that features two coastlines, rugged moorland and many miles of country roads, and because of its rich tourist industry which welcomes a significant increase in population during the summer months, the service continues to expand to meet the critical care needs of residents and visitors alike.