Thames Valley Air Ambulance celebrates Birthday
The charity is holding a party to mark its 25 years of saving lives
Last updated 19th Jun 2024
Thames Valley Air Ambulance is inviting people to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their lifesaving service at a family fun day this Saturday (22nd June) at the Penn Estate in Buckinghamshire.
Over the last 25 years, the charity’s crews have been called out nearly 35,000 times.
One of those call outs was to Antonia Roskill. Antonia was kicked in the back by a horse in the summer of 2014. Flung to the ground, without her phone and struggling to breathe, she thought she was going to die. Luckily, a passerby called 999 and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance helicopter was soon on scene.
Antonia was given much-needed pain relief and carefully extracted from the field to the John Radcliffe hospital, where she stayed for just over a week. The force of the horse’s kick meant she had punctured lungs and several broken ribs. It was around a year until Antonia made a full physical recovery.
Saved
Describing her ongoing support for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Antonia said:
“What happened in that field ten years ago has stayed with me ever since. I often think about the crew who treated me: I never said thank you. I wouldn’t even know who they were if I saw them in the street. But they saved me. Without them, I don’t think I would have made it through that day.
“You quite literally never know when you will need their help. I didn’t think, when I set out on my own into the field, that my life would be in their hands. I don’t know what life would look like now if it wasn’t for Thames Valley Air Ambulance.”
The Thames Valley Air Ambulance iconic red helicopter will make an appearance at this weekend’s Big Birthday Bash and crews will give demonstrations of their skills, alongside lots of family fun including food and drink stalls and on-stage acts.
Ruth Dunkin, Head of Community and Events at Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said:
“Antonia’s bravery in telling her story and generosity in becoming a champion for our charity means the world to us. Ten years on from her accident, she has run the marathon for us and is a fantastic example of someone who has used their story to raise awareness of our lifesaving cause.
“Our charity has been treating patients, like Antonia, for 25 years. We know there will be many people out there who have been touched by our lifesaving service. Whether you’ve been treated by our crews, or have family or friends who were, or if you’re simply a generous supporter who helps us keep going, we’d love to celebrate with you this weekend.”