AIR AMBULANCE SPEAKER

Tue, Sep 15th 2015 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dinner : 6 pm for 6.30 pm at St Augustine's, Westgate-on-Sea. Menu: Lamb/vegetable "Jalfrezi" with saffron rice & naan bread. Speaker David Duncombe from the Kent, Sussex & Surrey Air Ambulance

David Duncombe, representing the Kent, Sussex & Surrey Air Ambulance gave a fascinating talk to Club Members. The Air Ambulance is one of President David's nominated charities and it is hoped that the Club will be able to make a substantial donation to this charity at the end of his year in office.

David Duncombe illustrated the history and operations of the Air Ambulance service starting with its earliest days when it was a more basic transport service ferrying patients from serious incidents to hospitals for treatment. The operation took a major step forward when it was decided that the Air Ambulance crews should include a full medical team, capable of carrying out A & E surgery in the helicopter at the scene of the incident. Accordingly, specially trained Trauma Paramedics and experienced A & E Consultants are recruited to become part of the helicopter crew and new helicopters, adapted to house an "operating theatre with wings", were purchased.

Speed of response is of the utmost importance and whenever a 999 call is received at the ambulance call centre, a specially trained operator monitors the information and decides if an Air Ambulance would be an appropriate response. If it is, a "scramble button" is pressed and the helicopter will be airborne within four minutes of the 999 call. The Air Ambulance has priority over all other air traffic and its flight path is cleared completely by Air Traffic Control. It is reported that, on one occasion, a Royal Flight carrying the Prince of Wales had to be diverted out of the path of the Air Ambulance and a letter was sent by Prince Charles, congratulating the Air Ambulance on its service. The helicopter should be able to reach any location in Kent within 14 minutes.

In earlier times, most patients were transported to hospital by the helicopter but now, with the full Trauma team attending, most patients are successfully treated at the scene and can be taken to hospital by land ambulance, freeing the helicopter for another "shout".

A major piece of equipment development has revolutionised treatment so that blood transfusions can be made at the scene of an incident. The problem was that blood must be stored at near to freezing point but must be transfused at body temperature. With assistance of a company which makes hair straighteners, a ceramic "radiator" was invented into which the stored blood is pumped and heated to body temperature in just four seconds! The Air Ambulance now carries four pints of "O Negative" blood at all times and this blood is supplied by "Blood Runners" (including our own Charlie Brightling) who transport the blood by motorcycle in case of emergency.

Another recent breakthrough has enabled the Air Ambulance to operate at night. The pilot can now use military-grade night vision goggles (which cost an "arm and a leg"!) and together with a co-pilot without goggles who can guide the helicopter down to the incident they can even land in urban environments safely.

Club Members were hugely impressed with everything they learnt about the Air Ambulance (and greatly reassured!) and will be making every effort to raise funds to help support this outstanding service which is almost entirely free of public funding.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Community Service

Community Service Committee is responsible for organising fund-raising and social events, community service projects and recommending payments to external charities.

Website

Chris Hedges updates the website on a regular basis.

Successful RYLA candidates,Elizabeth Irvine and Emily Robertson report on their experiences at the Arethusa Venture Centre

Adrian Bawtree, Tessa Read, Roger Newman MBE, Chris Hedges, Derek Brown & Richard Parkin

A "Sing For Your Life" "MUSIC BOX" has been handed over to East Kent Independent Dementia Support (EKIDS). From left: Adrian Bawtree, Tessa Read, Roger Newman MBE, Chris Hedges, Derek Brown & Richard Parkin

Youth & Vocational

The Rotary Clubs of Thanet are committed to providing opportunities and support for young people.

House

Mick Stokes is our Dining Steward and is charge of arranging our venues and gourmet refreshment.

Foundation

The Foundation Committee seeks to raise awareness of Rotary's own Charity, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, and organise events to raise funds for the projects undertaken by the Rotary Foundation.

President Chris & Hazel Hedges visited the Rotary Club of Temecula, California

Sergeant at Arms

Mike O'Toole is our Sergeant-at-Arms

International

The International Committee is responsible for coordinating the Contact Club arrangements with the Rotary Club of Poitiers Futuroscope and the Rotary Club of Darmstadt Kranichstein. The Committee also seeks to support overseas charities with fundraising

Membership

We are always delighted to welcome guests to our meetings who may be considering joining the Rotary Family. Please contact our Secretary, Dave Alker to enquire about booking in.

Westgate and Birchington Rotary Club Funds Improvements at Christ Church Community Hall in Westgate

Banner of the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles

President Chris & Hazel Hedges paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles

CLUB NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Here is an archive of news and activities over the last 10 years

Club Council

Club Council normally meets on the last Monday of every month at Church House, Birchington at 7.00 pm.

Inner Wheel Club

The Inner Wheel Club of Westgate & Birchington is a close member of our Rotary family. Its members are predominently relations of Rotarians but membership is open to any lady who is sponsored by an exisiting member.

CHARITIES WE HAVE SUPPORTED

In recent years we have supported a wide range of local, national and international charities

Ian Sharpe & Victoria Lawrence dance the Foxtrot

The "Strictly Come Rotary" Dance Competition was staged on Saturday 13th April 2013 at The Winter Gardens in aid of "Alfie's Trust"

The winners of the Young Photographer Competition were presented with their awards by the Editor of The Isle of Thanet Gazette, Rebecca Smith

President-Elect Tony Orpwood & Christine; President Chris Hedges & Hazel; Assistant Governor Jan Dash; Past President John Hawkins & Margaret

A superb FUN, FELLOWSHIP & FOUNDATION Conference in Lille!

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER COMPETITION 2014

An excellent portfolio of entries was received from competitors in the 2014 Young Photographer Competition. Very well done!

A Musical Soiree was held in the Chapel at St Augustine's to raise funds for the charity "Sing For Your Life"

Communications

The good news is YOU ARE ON OUR WEBSITE!! Please visit it regularly to find news of our latest efforts to serve our community. MEMBERS - PLEASE CHECK THE HOME PAGE EACH WEEK!!!

To coincide with St Valentine's Day, an "Italian Masked Ball" was held in Kearns Hall.

A Tour of the Cape Wine-lands

Memebers enjoyed a comprehensive wine tasting experience and dined in style.

Sheila Minhinick, RIBI President John Minhinick, Hazel Hedges, President Chris Hedges, Sheila Grainger, District Governor Stewart Grainger

RIBI President John Minhinick and his wife Sheila attended a Dinner and Presentations for Rotarians in East Kent on Tuesday 4th September 2012

Rotary Schools Prom 2013

The Joint Rotary Clubs of Thanet together with Kent Music presented the seventh annual Schools Prom at The Winter Gardens, Margate

Christmas Collections & Events

Santa's coming!! He'll be coming to a street near you in December" PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITIES!!

Rotarians from Darmstadt-Kranichstein, Poitiers-Futuroscope and Westgate & Birchington in Auerbach Keller, Leipzig

A party of Club Members and their partners travelled to Leipzig for the annual Contact Club Reunion with the Rotary Clubs of Darmstadt-Kranichstein and Poitiers-Futuroscope

Chris Hedges's President's Night Dinner Dance was held on Friday 7th June 2013 at St Augustine's, Westgate-on-Sea

Members constructed a raised garden area for the students at the Hearing-Impaired Unit with matched funding gained from a District Grant of $1000.

President Tony prresented cheques to the Woodford Foundation and "Blood Runners"

Following the successful bid for a District Grant, a Sensory Garden, adjacent to the Hearing Impaired Unit at Hartsdown Academy, was constructed by Rotarians. The "Oasis" was formally opened by Past President Chris Hedges on Friday 27th September

Sport

The Club enjoys a number of sporting activities in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs, including Bowls and Golf competitions. The Sports Coordinator is John Hawkins.

Shop

Rotarian Allan Harris is our Club shop manager and arranges for members to purchase Rotary regalia, clothing and jewellery.

The children at St Crispin's School, Westgate-on-Sea, filled seven Aquaboxes.

President Chris & Hazel paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills.

Christmas Dinner & New Member Induction

A large gathering of Rotarians and guests enjoyed the annual Christmas Dinner which was made more special by the induction of Christine Laming and the award of the Moulsdale Trophy to Eddie Doody

A party of Rotarians and members of Inner Wheel attended Evensong "Celebrating Rotary" in Rochester Cathedral on Sunday 17th February 2013