Festive market to aid air ambulance
FRIENDS and family of a Northumberland farmer who had a life-threatening accident in 2019 have organised a Christmas market to raise money for the service which helped saved his life.
Hamish Burn, 25, was able to receive lifesaving treatment at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary thanks to the quick reactions of the Great North Air Ambulance, which cut down what would have been a journey of more than an hour by road from Hamish’s home village of Lowick to mere minutes.
And now, members of the community have organised the Christmas Market to raise money for a “vital” rural resource.
As well as raising money for the charity, it will give local creatives and independent businesses a platform to sell their wares. There will also be food and drink on sale.
The market has been organised by Sarah Dodds, who has worked with Hamish for many years on the farm, and Hamish’s family members Fiona and Susanna Burn, as well as
Jess Ridley. Fiona Burn, Hamish’s mother, said: “We have seen first-hand how important the GNAAS can be. With the Newcastle RVI being nearly an hour and a half drive away it could have been detrimental to Hamish’s life if the GNAAS hadn’t been able to act so quickly.
“The service which the GNAAS provide, particularly in rural areas, is vital; so it is fantastic to have the opportunity to give something back and help the GNAAS continue to offer lifesaving treatment. And we look forward to welcoming people on the day.”
In recent years, the number of incidents and deaths in the agricultural sector has risen, with the BBC reporting that there are more fatal accidents on farms than any other sector. Therefore, critical care is vital for rural areas and a service which can perform on-scene medical treatment ahead of transportation can be the difference between life and death should incidents occur many miles from the nearest hospital.
The Christmas Market at Barmoor Castle Country Park will take place this Saturday – November 19 – with doors open from 10am3pm. Entrance is free.