First New Helipad is Launched at Orthopaedic Hospital

Richard Harpin, President of the HELP Appeal, Hugh Meynell MBE, Chairman of the Trustees (County Air Ambulance) and Wendy Farrington Chadd, RJAH Chief Executive.

County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal gets off the ground

A new helipad has been officially launched at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust (RJAH) in Oswestry. The helipad was funded by the County Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT) through its HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal  and is the first of many improved landing and transfer facilities that the air ambulance charity is providing in the region.

The installation of purpose designed helipad lighting has facilitated patients being brought to the hospital during both night and daytime and is used mainly for patients with spinal injuries.  A 100 metre covered smooth walkway now extends from the landing facility to the hospital entrance. The new helipad was built on the hospital site between April and June 2009 by Read Construction and the County Air Ambulance raised the £400k required to fund the construction.

Richard Harpin lands on the new Helipad

The helipad was launched by the County Air Ambulance Trust’s Richard Harpin, who is President of the HELP Appeal and Hugh Meynell MBE, Chairman of the Trustees.  Denys Shortt, CAAT Vice-President also flew in by helicopter for the occasion. 

RJAH Trust Chief Executive, Wendy Farrington Chadd, thanked the County Air Ambulance Trust, saying, "We are very grateful to CAAT for this much improved facility, which will be of great benefit to our patients. It will make transfers far more comfortable, which is particularly important for people with spinal injuries."

Richard Harpin of CAAT responded, saying that he was delighted the helipad and walkway has been completed so quickly, "This is the first hospital helipad we have funded. It forms part of a funding programme of six helipads in our region. We are extremely pleased with the result and thank the generosity of the public for their continued support."

Opening speeches at the helipad launch, Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH)

Originally planned to support the West Midlands Ambulance Service when it pioneered helicopter emergency medical services in the early 1990s, wide ranging fundraising for the air ambulance service CAAT and other air ambulance charities has ensured, through money donated by individuals and local businesses, that the entire region once serviced by one helicopter now has the benefit of six air ambulances covering an area with a population of over eight million.

The County Air Ambulance Trust, the Midlands oldest independent air ambulance Charity formed in 1993, is bringing new or improved helicopter access to all key Accident and Emergency Hospitals and Trauma Centres with the full support of air ambulance operators and NHS Trust Hospitals in the Region.

A big thank you to...

Some of the people who have supported us over the last year.

Whittington Heath Golf Club

Ray Waite 2009 Captain at Whittington Heath Golf Club, pictured above with Stephen Maxwell Hunt said " None of us know when we will need the Air Ambulance. It is a very worthy cause".

Network with Style

Network with Style presenting a cheque to The County Air Ambulance Trust.

Funds kindly donated by the R.A.T. Pack

Mike Cooke, Peter Roberts, Cliff Holland and Michael Burke pictured presenting a cheque for £500 to the County Air Ambulance Trust.

Amanda Burton from the Bulls Head donating
£1195 for the HELP Appeal

Funds were raised from her supporters at the pub over the last year. Amanda, Nigel and their regulars at the pub are continuing to support the County Air Ambulance Trust for the coming year.