Wiltshire Air Ambulance ready to respond this Christmas
The charity is also appealing for donations, as it prepares for 2023
Wiltshire Air Ambulance is appealing for donations, as it prepares for 2023.
The charity, which receives no direct government funding, needs to raise 4-million-pounds per year to keep flying.
Looking ahead to the festive period, the Service says it's "ready to respond" to any emergencies this Christmas - and will continue to operate 19 hours per day as usual.
Last year, the charity attended over 1,100 missions.
Paramedic Keith, who will also be on shift for Boxing Day, says:
“I’ve been with the charity for seven years and this will be my fourth time working on Christmas Day itself.
“Our service operates 365 days a year, so for us it really is just another day. However, if time allows, we (the aircrew on shift) will try and have some Christmas dinner together and maybe pop a Santa hat on.
“For me personally, Christmas is very poignant and a time for reflection. I would love to be with my family but there will be time for that later, I just hope people across Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas have a peaceful and happy time.
“We hope you won’t need us but if you do we will be operational and are ready to respond.”
The crew room at Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s airbase in Semington, near Trowbridge, will be decorated by the team to look as festive and “Christmassy” as possible.
The Christmas tree on site is already adorned with baubles bearing messages to the aircrew from donors.
Richard Miller, clinical services and ground base manager at the charity, said:
“Our service operates every day so our pilots and specialist paramedics and doctors are ready to respond to emergency incidents, such as road traffic collisions, cardiac arrests and strokes, over the Christmas and New Year period.
“We are only able to provide our essential Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) thanks to people, businesses and grant-making trusts who donate and fundraise for us. We hope everybody has a safe Christmas and New Year – and thank you, as always, for your support.”