Calls don’t stop for Hogmanay

There was no New Year break for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance’s crew as emergency call outs took them on missions across Scotland.

On Hogmanay, three emergencies close to the airborne charity’s Perth Airport base saw paramedics deploy in their road-based Rapid Response vehicles.

The first was to a cardiac emergency in Perth, the second to a serious medical case at Blairgowrie and the third to another cardiac emergency in the city.

SCAA paramedics were able to assist at the scene of each, working with Scottish Ambulance Service colleagues.

On New Year’s Day, SCAA took to the air in response to the need for an urgent patient transfer from Arran to hospital on the mainland.

SCAA airlifted the male cardiac patient to Crosshouse Hospital at Kilmarnock for further treatment.

In the past week SCAA has responded to eight emergency call outs.

The frontline response aircraft was also in attendance at a serious road traffic accident near Errol.

SCAA paramedics worked with colleagues to treat an injured female car passenger at the scene before she was transferred by road ambulance the short journey to Ninewells Hospital at Dundee.

A longer flight took the team to the island of Great Cumbrae where a woman suffered lower leg injuries in a fall.

SCAA airlifted the injured woman from Millport to mainland hospital treatment at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock.

* * * Local supporters and fundraisers ended the old year on a high through their generous donations to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

The Ex-Servicemen’s Club in Perth held a Christmas raffle and raised an amazing £810 for SCAA.

Meanwhile, at Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy, Duke of Edinburgh Award pupils raised £208 for the lifesaving charity.

And Oakbank Church and Sunday School has kindly donated £100 to the helicopter fund.

A further £200 came SCAA’s way in the past week courtesy of the White Rose Spiritualist Church and Moor of Ranch Hotel’s continued support saw a further £50 donated.

Pitlochry Co-op’s fundraising powerhouse Meg Farron has raised another £1,487 for SCAA through her in-store pre-Christmas raffle and collection.

Thanks also to the residents of Isla Court in Perth who have kindly donated £200 from their Comfort Fund to SCAA.

Personal donations have also been coming in to SCAA over the festive break from supporters throughout Scotland.

Locally, these include a Blairgowrie couple who donated £70 and a Murthly man who gifted £1000.

And SCAA collecting cans placed locally have also helped boost fundraising.

Being emptied this week were those cans placed at: Fossoway Stores, Crook of Devon £28.63; Anne’s Handknits, Balbeggie £99.62 and Perth Ex-Servicemen’s Club £49.08.

* * * Have you been helped by SCAA? If the charity flew to the aid of you or a loved one, we would love to hear from you.

Patients who are willing to share their story and experiences help SCAA to publicise and promote their lifesaving service.

No one tells of the impact Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance is making better than the people whose lives have been touched by the fastresponse emergency. Contact media@scaa. org.uk