Heliport
10th Sep 2004, 12:18
Norwich Evening News Paramedics bare all for new chopper
http://w3.cambridge-news.co.uk/repository/news/pictures/3630.jpg
PARAMEDICS in Norwich took a leaf out of the book of the famous Calendar Girls and dared to bare all — to raise cash for a second life-saving helicopter.
Twelve brave paramedics and volunteers posed nervously with only medical equipment shielding their private parts as part of a £2 million fund-raising campaign by the East Anglian Air Ambulance Trust.
The gutsy dozen were relieved the rain clouds stayed away when the shots for the calendar were taken at Norwich International airport.
The idea for the calendar came about at the paramedics' Christmas party and fuelled by the odd festive tipple, they jokingly agreed to the idea.
But when it came to shedding their flying suits for the shoot, they needed some gentle persuasion.
Patsy Johnson, area co-ordinator for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: "They were so nervous when it came to doing the photo shoot so I had to twist their arms, but they were great sports and we are all chuffed to bits with the end result.
"Many gave up their spare time to take part and two of the guys got a call out during the photo shoot so had to put their clothes on quick to answer the call."
She added: "We are currently now looking through the photographs to choose the best ones for the calendar."
Simon Gray, trust executive director, praised the plucky band of men and outlined how important a second helicopter would be to the service.
He said: "They were very brave and fortunately we had lovely weather for the photo shoot or they would have got soaked.
"We hope the calendar will enable us to purchase a second helicopter. We currently average about five missions a day but this is often doubled in summer.
"There is a need for a second helicopter as the speed in which we get to a patient becomes even more important."
The trust currently has only one air ambulance, code named Anglian One which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
Mr Gray said it was currently looking at specifications and equipment needed for a new helicopter and fund raising had already reached £1.5 million.
He said: "My long term goal is to buy two new helicopters but for this we need to raise £3 million.
"We are in the process of looking at what type of helicopter to buy and we now have sufficient funds to start looking at what is on offer.
"We hope to be able to purchase a second helicopter at the beginning of next year."
With a print run of 1,000 copies the calendar will be available from the beginning of next month The calendars will be available from the beginning of next month.
http://www.bluetonguehelicopters.com.au/pprune/actsm.gif
http://w3.cambridge-news.co.uk/repository/news/pictures/3630.jpg
PARAMEDICS in Norwich took a leaf out of the book of the famous Calendar Girls and dared to bare all — to raise cash for a second life-saving helicopter.
Twelve brave paramedics and volunteers posed nervously with only medical equipment shielding their private parts as part of a £2 million fund-raising campaign by the East Anglian Air Ambulance Trust.
The gutsy dozen were relieved the rain clouds stayed away when the shots for the calendar were taken at Norwich International airport.
The idea for the calendar came about at the paramedics' Christmas party and fuelled by the odd festive tipple, they jokingly agreed to the idea.
But when it came to shedding their flying suits for the shoot, they needed some gentle persuasion.
Patsy Johnson, area co-ordinator for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: "They were so nervous when it came to doing the photo shoot so I had to twist their arms, but they were great sports and we are all chuffed to bits with the end result.
"Many gave up their spare time to take part and two of the guys got a call out during the photo shoot so had to put their clothes on quick to answer the call."
She added: "We are currently now looking through the photographs to choose the best ones for the calendar."
Simon Gray, trust executive director, praised the plucky band of men and outlined how important a second helicopter would be to the service.
He said: "They were very brave and fortunately we had lovely weather for the photo shoot or they would have got soaked.
"We hope the calendar will enable us to purchase a second helicopter. We currently average about five missions a day but this is often doubled in summer.
"There is a need for a second helicopter as the speed in which we get to a patient becomes even more important."
The trust currently has only one air ambulance, code named Anglian One which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
Mr Gray said it was currently looking at specifications and equipment needed for a new helicopter and fund raising had already reached £1.5 million.
He said: "My long term goal is to buy two new helicopters but for this we need to raise £3 million.
"We are in the process of looking at what type of helicopter to buy and we now have sufficient funds to start looking at what is on offer.
"We hope to be able to purchase a second helicopter at the beginning of next year."
With a print run of 1,000 copies the calendar will be available from the beginning of next month The calendars will be available from the beginning of next month.
http://www.bluetonguehelicopters.com.au/pprune/actsm.gif