Rotary Club of Henley on Thames

Donation to Thames Valley Air Ambulance

Representatives of The Rotary Club of Henley on Thames recently attended at RAF Benson to present a cheque for £1,000 to Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Since 2009 the Club has donated £11,000 to this life saving charity

Support Fundraising Manager, Sarah Sharkey, explained how such donations have enabled the organisation to change and expand its service to the residents of the Thames Valley and to those travelling through the area.

The emphasis is now on” taking the hospital to the patient or casualty”.  This means that from the time that the fully experienced doctor and support team arrive at the scene the patient can receive the level of medical care which he or she would receive at a hospital’s A&E Department. The team’s doctor will then frequently accompany the patient to the hospital in a land ambulance so continuing treatment through to arrival at hospital.

This is achieved because their recently acquired new helicopter carries the latest life support equipment including compact chest compressor, ultrasound equipment as well as blood supplies.  Night time operations are now also undertaken.

The level of calls upon the service has resulted in the acquisition of two Emergency Response Vehicles which can either attend to supplement the helicopter service or can attend emergencies when the helicopter cannot be deployed.

Quote from Sarah Sharkey