* Members of the Llangollen Christmas Festival committee had over a cheque to the air ambulance in February 2020.
Today, on the day of its 20th anniversary, the Wales Air
Ambulance Charity is looking back at its incredible evolution and paying
tribute to everybody who has contributed to its lifesaving service.
The service is often called to help with casualties in Llangollen and the town's Christmas Festival has raised thousands of pounds to help it continue its work.
The charity’s founder
and first Chair of Trustees was the late Robert Palmer. From his vision, Wales
Air Ambulance has grown from a one-helicopter operation based at Swansea
Airport to what is now the largest air ambulance operation in the UK, with four
helicopters. The aircraft are based across the country, in Caernarfon,
Welshpool, Llanelli and Cardiff.
In the past
two decades, it has evolved from a paramedic-led service to a consultant-led
service which takes the emergency department to the patient.
Thanks to the charity’s unique partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer
Service and NHS Wales, it is one of the most medically advanced air ambulance
operations in Europe.
When the
service first started in 2001, it ran eight hours a day, five days a week, and
its vision was to become 24/7. This vision was achieved on 1 December last
year, with the introduction of an overnight helicopter in addition to the
12-hour day-time cover.
Since its
inception, the charity has undertaken nearly 38,000 missions and to keep the
helicopters in the air 24/7, it needs to raise £8 million every year.
Dave Gilbert
OBE, the charity’s Chair of Trustees, said: “Looking back and following the
timeline of how Wales Air Ambulance has evolved over the last 20 years gives everyone
a huge sense of pride.
"From Robert Palmer’s early vision through to becoming one
of the largest and medically advanced operations is an achievement that the
whole of Wales can be proud of.
"After all, Wales Air Ambulance was created by
the people of Wales, for the people of Wales, and the growth of our charity is
testament to the skill, dedication, passion and generosity that exists within
our country.”
Dr Sue Barnes,
the Charity’s Chief Executive, said: “I took up my post with the Wales Air
Ambulance last December and it quickly became clear why the charity has thrived
over the past 20 years through the professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment
of those involved. This has allowed us to deliver a lifesaving service which
has positively impacted many lives across the country.
“Everybody who has
contributed to our charity over the years can be proud of their contribution as
they have played their part in making the charity what it is today. We would
like to say a heartfelt thanks to the medics, pilots, critical care allocators,
staff and volunteers, trustees, and all those who have fundraised and donated
over the last 20 years.”
The charity will mark the milestone with a series of activities and events between
1 March 2021 and 1 March 2022 and has begun with its ‘My20’ fundraising
challenge.
* Neil Chattington was the air ambulance's first patient.
The
first patient airlifted by Wales Air Ambulance was Neil Chattington. This is
Neil’s story.
Twenty
years ago, Neil Chattington, started an under 16s rugby match and little did he
know that he would become a significant part of Wales Air Ambulance’s history.
Neil,
who was scared of flying, was the first-ever patient that the Wales Air
Ambulance attended after its launch in 2001.
Reflecting
on his memories on the day, Neil, who was playing for Glynneath Rugby Club
against Aberavon, said: “I remember quite a bit.
"It had snowed a little
overnight and we cleared the ground before starting. Aberavon had a really good
team with a couple of players who went onto do good things. We always had tough
games with them.
“At
the time of the incident, we were attacking from our half and I'd made a break,
getting past their fullback into open space - or what I thought was open space
- and got tackled very hard by one of their props.
"I wasn't expecting to be
tackled so wasn't tensed for it. I got spun around and hit the ground hard and
when I settled, I felt a really sharp pain in the left side of my neck and lost
the feeling in my arms and legs.
“Initially
I was really panicked but I didn't try to move and quickly the referee stopped
the game. When the first aiders knew what was wrong, the ambulance was called
and I was well looked after by both teams, first aiders and some parents one
who used a horse blanket to keep me warm.”
The
Wales Air Ambulance crew that day were paramedics Mark Winter and Paul Haddow, and
pilot Steve Rush.
Mark Winter still works with the service today as its Operations
Director.
The crew were sent to the rugby club for its first mission by Brian
Knoyle, who worked for the Ambulance Service control, after it was feared Neil
had a broken back.
Neil,
who has lived in Cardiff for 14 years, said seeing the helicopter land
‘initially made him feel quite scared’ due to the fact he’s afraid of flying,
but he had ‘confidence in the crew’.
He
added: “My first thought was ‘oh dear!’, and definitely ‘something’s wrong’.
Having had my fair share of bumps, I knew that this was different. The
flight was surprisingly quick and not quite as scary as I thought it would be.
I was constantly monitored throughout the flight. Looking back, I think about
how simple it was and that it could have been so much worse.”
The
Service’s Operational Director, Mark Winter, was on the first 8am to 4pm shift
twenty years ago working as a Paramedic Staff Officer. The crew were initially called
to an RTC, but on arrival they were not required and stood down. They then
returned to base and refuelled.
Whilst
at the base, Neil’s call came in. Mark added: “We were then tasked to Glynneath
Rugby Club where Neil had been playing in a match. A local ambulance crew
arrived on scene and were treating Neil for a neck injury. When we got there, we
immobilised him, kept him warm, put him onto patient monitoring and provided
the reassurance he no doubt would have wanted at that time.
"We then transported
him, by air, to Morriston Hospital. Neil was a first-class patient and
thankfully the journey was uneventful.”
Despite his
injuries, Neil, who runs his own property maintenance company, returned to the
sport.
He said: “It took a while for me to get back to playing rugby again and,
unfortunately, I have suffered with some long term affects. As a result, I retired
from rugby, aged 23, due to the effects of all my injuries.”
Being the
first patient is a story that Neil can always tell. Speaking on how he feels
having that title, he said: “I'd have to say very grateful. Thankfully my
injury at the time wasn't as bad as it could have been but the care I received
was amazing.”
Also at the
scene that day was Max Boyce, who has supported Wales Air Ambulance ever since.
He
said: “I’ve seen the great work that they do and being the president of the
South Wales Golfing Association, we have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds
for the Wales Air Ambulance over the years for such a worthy charity. Twenty
years, that is a bit special. Here’s to twenty years again.”
