CLUBS AND SOCIETIES: Lions Clubs unite to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

MEMBERS from Lions Clubs from around the county have joined forces to raise nearly £8,000 to provide a new piece of equipment for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The clubs from Yeovil, Ilminster, Crewkerne, Wells, Glastonbury & Street held their own fundraising events to coin together £7,600 for a special baby-pod which can be used by air ambulance paramedics to transport tiny tots and infants in the helicopter in incubator-style conditions.

Representatives of the Lions Clubs went along to the air ambulance’s flight headquarters at Henstridge on Friday (April 10, 2015) to present a cheque to the charity.

PHOTO - TOP: Lions Club members present paramedics Michelle Walker and Mark Williams and pilot Phil Merriott with their combined cheque of £7,600.

Air ambulance paramedic Michelle Walker said: “We would like to thank the Lions Clubs for this fantastic gesture. Having the baby-pod is going to make things so much better when we have to deal with young patients. It’s going to make a big difference.”

Michelle said that a good percentage of the people they are sent out to help in the air ambulance are children.

She was joined by fellow paramedic Mark Williams and pilot Phil Merritt who thanked the Lions Club members for their £7,600 cheque and were able to answer any questions about the air ambulance’s work which is funded 100 per cent by charitable donations.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s other crew members are pilot Max Hoskins and paramedics are Claire Baker, Leonie German, Paul Owen and Steve Freeman.

The Lions Clubs involved in the project were from Zone J of Lions Club International’s District 105SW.

Tags:
Clubs and Societies.