’Copter answers bike crash call

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) made a lengthy flight to the far west corner of the mainland this week to airlift a cyclist near the Unapool area north of Ullapool.

The cyclist sustained serious leg injuries when he came off his bike on a steep hillside road and crashed into a tree.

Scottish Ambulance Service land crew colleagues were with the patient while SCAA made its way to the remote location, airlifting him to advanced care at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness - a flight of around 25 minutes that delivered him safely with speed and comfort.

SCAA also landed on the hillside high above Loch Lomond to airlift a hillwalker who injured her ankle in a fall. The charity air ambulance flew her rapidly to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at Glasgow.

A woman who sustained arm and shoulder injuries in a fall on the island of Coll required SCAA’s help to reach hospital as quickly as possible.

A land ambulance transferred her from the shore where she had her accident to a helicopter landing site from where SCAA then airlifted her to the Royal Alexandra Hospital at Paisley.

Local supporters and fundraisers have been generously handing in funds to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) this week.

When the Fair City 50+ Group folded recently, residual funds were split between several local charities with £207 coming to SCAA.

And some more highflying support came from Heli-Air Scotland - who operate aircraft out of Perth Airport - with a £204.12 donation.

Thanks also to everyone who attended the recent concert organised by Fowlis Wester, Madderty and Monzie Church and featuring music by Glenalmond College. The supper and music event at Monzie Kirk hit the perfect note, raising £613.20 for SCAA.

SCAA’s “lifelong” supporter, Pitlochry Station Bookshop, donated a further £300 this week, bringing their total support of SCAA to £28,580.

A recent fundraiser for animal welfare organised by Balbeggie woman Kathleen Fernie included a donation of £200 for the air ambulance.

Blairgowrie sisters, who have also supported SCAA since the early days of the charity, handed in a further £125 raised through a recent car boot sale.

And local builders merchants Keyline have donated £180 in support of the recent biker bash, organised by one of their employees.

Thanks to a retained firefighter in Auchterarder who donated £200 to SCAA in recognition of the value of the air ambulance service.

And a Perth lady also made a straightforward £200 donation in support of the charity’s work.

Meanwhile, in Pitlochry, chickens keep laying their eggs to support the airborne service with another £8 coming from the sale of the results of their labours. The chickens and their owner have now donated £44.50.

Collecting cans placed around Scotland continue to bring in much needed support from the public.

To date, people have donated around £167,000 to SCAA by popping their change into the cans.

Among locally placed ones being emptied this week at SCAA’s Perth Airport base were:

Callander Post Office £100; the Country Store, Kinloch Rannoch £33.39; Giacopazzi, Kinross £25.84; the Horn Cafe, Errol £14.33; Lamb & Gardiner, Inchmichael Garage, Errol £32.90; Perthshire Caravans, Errol £45.92 and the Spar, Errol £43.77.

And retailers who opted to support SCAA by donating their 5p carrier bag levies also help boost the charity’s funds. This week’ donations from local shops came from Ella’s of Dunkeld £49.20 and Jeremy Law of Scotland, Dunkeld £49.39.