This week, we undertook our 5,000th mission since we began operations on 1st July 2007. To mark the milestone, members our crew gathered together with our Charity Patron Mrs Ailsa Montagu, Chairman Tony Nicholson and Chief Executive John Perry for a photo shoot on the Helipad at Southampton General Hospital. The significant achievement coincides with the appointment of Dr David Sutton to the newly created role of Clinical Governance Lead, underlining our commitment to further investment in delivering clinical excellence across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Charity Patron, Mrs Ailsa Montagu commented ‘As Patron of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, I have seen outstanding progress within such a young charity, and this milestone is another remarkable achievement. I am very proud to be Patron of such a talented and dedicated team of professionals who provide this life saving service to the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.’

Our 5,000th mission was a PPCI (Primary percutaneous coronary...

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The landlord of the Woolpack Inn in Alresford is asking customers to pay him not to cut his hair in order to raise money for HIOWAA and the Candover Valley Pre-School. Hoping to grow the mullet of all mullets, he is confident that for every £100 raised he will avoid another trip to the hairdressers and contribute to two very worthwhile causes.

For more information on the Woolpack Inn, please visit www.thewoolpackinn.co.uk . Donations can be taken over the phone on 01962 734184, or why not pop down the the Woolpack to see the mulllet for yourself.

Mrs & Mrs Jones formed The Hampshire Amateur Ballroom Group in 1968, and unfortunately it had to close recently due to declining membership. It was agreed by the existing members that the remaining money in the funds should be shared out between three charities. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was lucky enough to receive a donation of £1000. We are most grateful for the donation, and sorry that the group has had to close. We hope that all the members will “Keep dancing”. 

HIOWAA Community and Corporate Fundraiser Rosemarie Norman is presented with a cheque by Mr and Mrs Jones.

It was late afternoon and I was just popping my horse Darcy out for a quick ride around the block near his field.  I wasn’t feeling that great, but felt I had to make the effort to go as it was my last day off before returning to work the following Monday. 

I had just passed a group of walkers and I kicked Darcy on and was going at a fast canter when out of the blue, he spooked and I fell and broke my ankle.

The group of walkers I had just passed called for an ambulance but, unfortunately, we were in a very remote location, so that was when the Air Ambulance was called.  Ironically, my parents were at ‘Fairweathers’ in Beaulieu, about 20 minutes down the road, when they saw the Air Ambulance fly over head.  Dad commented that it wasn’t often that you got the opportunity to see the Air Ambulance as close up. 

It only took fifteen minutes for the air ambulance to get to me, but when I got to hospital they said that my ankle was...

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Saturday 26^th – Sunday 27^th July 2014

Take part in this themed cycle ride through the Capital; around the streets and stations made famous during your childhood. This overnight cycle starts in Southwark; a quick visit to the Old Kent Road and a trip north over Tower Bridge to Fenchurch Street Station – is only the start of our night time journey... This isn’t your usual cycle though – we want you to ‘take a chance’ and win the final Community Chest!

This 50 mile route is split into two stages, following London’s most iconic streets. Cycle into the shadows of the city’s towering structures, passing The Shard and The Gherkin to name a few! Parade into the grand west end, pedalling past Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and much more. Rest stops are situated halfway through each loop, to help you refuel and sort any repairs to bike and body!

 The Moonride & What’s Included

 London’s Moon’opoly themed cycle ride – 50 miles, for all abilities & bikes!

• £39 to register, with £200 minimum fundraising target...
  
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Ross Backshall from Northwood in The Isle of Wight spent many months training for the Triathlon that he completed on Saturday 15 March, in order to raise money for HIOWAA.   Ross, who has learning difficulties, was encouraged by his carer to maintain his fitness, and as a result he started using his efforts to raise money for various charities.  He choose to support HIOWAA for this particular event because he wanted to do something for a local charity that would benefit the island.

The Triathlon was put together by his trainer, Vicki Habgood, and comprised a 5km run around the Medina, a 20km cycle ride, which he completed  on an excercise bike at his local gym, and 30 lenghts of the Medina Simming Pool.  Ross's nine year old nephew Bily Backshall swam alongside him, and his trainer Vicki joined him for the 5km run.  

Ross did an amazing job and completed the swim in 45 minutes, the run in 29.38 minutes, the cycle ride in 51.56 mintues.  

Below is a photograph that was taken on the day.

Staff from Specsavers southern regional offices have smashed their fundraising target, raising an amazing £7,100 for HIOWAA.  

Since March 2013, more than 350 staff from Specsavers’ offices in Forum 6, Whiteley, took part in a variety of fundraising activities to eclipse their initial target of £6,000.

Activities throughout the year included a fashion show, Christmas raffle, lucky dips and a chance for staff members to dunk their bosses in the freezing waters of the ‘dunk-tank’. Staff also hosted a celebration of Indian Independence Day, raising more than £1130 in one day.

This is the second year that the Forum 6 charity committee has been running, and the first time that the offices have focused their efforts almost entirely on one charity. While also taking part in UK-wide initiatives such as ‘Movember’ Breast Cancer care and the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Big Bag Donation’, their main efforts have all raised money for HIOWAA.

We are hugely grateful to them for their enterprising fundraising and...

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This weekend Ross Backshall, from the Isle of Wight, will be completing a special triathlon put together by his trainer Vicki habgood who works for Median Leisure Centre, to raise much needed funds for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Ross, who has learning difficulties, was encouraged by his carer to maintain his fitness and as a result started using his efforts to raise money for various charities.

Currently working part-time in Sainsburys Local in Cowes and on a Saturday morning doing a show on Wight Island Radio, Ross enjoys getting involved in his local community.

His chosen charity for this particular event is Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance because he wanted to do something for a local charity that benefits the island, so the Air Ambulance seemed like the perfect choice as it is a service that Ross or his family might need one day.

The triathlon has been put together by his trainer Vicki and comprises of a 5km run around Medina, where she will be running...

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We owe a big THANK YOU to The Screwfix Foundation, who have generously given us a grant of £1000 towards putting a new portakabin in at Thruxton for our crew and visitors. 

The Screwfix Foundation is a registered charity set up in 2013. They raise funds to support projects that will fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need throughout the UK.

We owe a huge thank you to Powertraveller, who have just become a Bronze Corporate Partner, with a donation of  £1000 spread over 3 years. 

In addition, they have generously offered to provide a Powermonkey Extreme to the team of HIOWAA supporters who will be climbing Kilimanjaro in 2015.  A waterproof, solar powered charger, the Powermonkey Extreme will allow the team to charge their mobile phones and cameras using solar power during the trek.  Participants will also be able to buy other equipment at a discount.   

Powertraveller Ltd designs, develops and manufactures a range of award-winning off-grid power solutions for electronics devices up to 24Volts.

Designed in the UK and tested to destruction in some of the world’s most inhospitable environments, the products in Powertraveller’s range are capable of charging anything from cell phones (including iPhone and BlackBerry), iPods and headlamps through to GPS, professional torches, iPads and laptops. 

We are looking forward to working with Powertraveller over the next three years and especially in the run up to our Kilimanjaro trek in 2015.