The Trust
The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is the charity which raises the funds to keep Devon's two Air Ambulances flying.
Funding for the service is completely independent of central and local Government and is funded solely by voluntary donations from and fundraising by local people and businesses about the charity.
This means every single penny needed is raised by the community, businesses and friends of Devon.
The charity works alongside 3 other organisations which make up the ‘Devon Air Ambulance’ family.
They are:
South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) – who provide the paramedics, general medical equipment and drugs. They also deploy the helicopter, via a specialist HEMS (helicopter emergency medical services) desk, funded by the Devon Air Ambulance Trust/Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust/Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust, on receipt of 999 calls.
Bond Air Services Limited (BAS) – we lease our North Devon helicopter from BAS, which includes the helicopter, pilots and engineers. In simple terms if the helicopter is off line because it needs maintenance or otherwise, just like if you were leasing a car, we would have a replacement helicopter by way of cover.
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary - in our helicopters section on the website we explained that in October 2008 we took delivery of an EC135 call sign 'G-DVAA' which the charity purchased outright. As we share a base at Middlemoor, Exeter, with the Police Air Support Unit, all the maintenance facilities are on-site. Therefore these services for the Air Ambulance are provided by the Police's air support maintenance and engineering team.
History
In 1986 18 year old Ceri Thomas was involved in a fatal collision, whilst out on his push bike
A road ambulance took him to hospital, but sadly he died later of his injuries
Ceri’s mother Ann asked the doctors at hospital if there was anything that might have been done to save her son
She was told the quicker a patient receives emergency medical treatment, the better chance there is of survival
On 27th August 1992 the service went into operation
At 11am on Thursday 30th July 1992 the Air Ambulance landed at Exeter’s Cathedral Green for an official launch and blessing of the helicopter and crew by the Bishop of Exeter
Ann recalls ‘The emotion was over-whelming. I, along with many others along the way had achieved what we had set out to do. Ceri’s life had not been in vain.’
Many landmarks since this time!
Early 1997 – helicopter received new livery/look
7th July 97 – service went from 5 days a week to 7 days a week
1998 saw the first visit to an Air Ambulance by the Minister for Health – Frank Dobson and also a Royal visit by the Princess Royal
In 1999 a slightly larger stretched version of the Bolkow 105 went into operation – launched by Olympic Devon swimmer Sharron Davies
In 1999 the charity were also honoured to be charity of the year for the Devon County Show
In August 2002 the charity celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 10th Birthday Challenge where all the air ambulance airbases throughout England, Scotland and Wales were visited with a competition to win a car run alongside to guess how many miles were traveled. Airport tv programme’s Jeremy Spake also helped us celebrate this landmark time
2003 saw a charity dinner held by tv chef Michael Caines with after dinner speaker and snooker player Ray Reardon
Also in 2003 ex patient and volunteer Jennie Buckle undertook filming in her garden about her accident with Ground Force’s Tommy Walsh – with the helicopter playing a starring role
In 2004 current patron and Olympic equestrian Mary King was joined by 2 new patrons being Lady Penelope Mountbatten and Lord Devon (Powderham Castle)
In August 2004 a new generation EC135 helicopter arrived – meaning a spare seat – enabling for example a parent to travel with a sick child which was not possible before
At the same time ex Royal correspondent Jennie Bond went into the jungle in ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me out of Here’ and raised a phenomenal £263,000 for the charity – used in order to extend the service from 8 hours a day to 10 hours a day plus pay for a very special GPS system in the new helicopter
In April 2005 the second helicopter was launched flying 5 days a week from a base in North Devon. It wasn’t known if it would be needed or used, but within weeks of the 6 month trial period it was announced it would be a permanent fixture. Jennie Bond helped us celebrate this achievement
Late 2005 saw the charity receiving support from South West racehorse trainer Martin Pipe 
who placed a bet on his horse Our Vic, and donated the proceeds to the charity
December 2005 saw the arrival of a specialist trolley for use when the helicopter arrived at the RD&E Hospital, Exeter. It was developed by the charity
In April 2006 the Princess Royal once again visited, this time to open the new joint air operations unit, shared between the DAA and Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Air Support Unit
April 2006 also saw the first anniversary of the second Air Ambulance in North Devon
During the same month the charity held its second race day at Devon & Exeter Racecourse, with support from celebrity Suzanne Dando.
In 2006 we became the first charity to develop an incubator in England to be able to carry sick premature babies to a specialist hospital
Mid 2006 saw the launch of HeliBags – our schools recycling scheme
December 2006 saw the launch of our reuseable bags HeliShoppers by Minister for the Environment and Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw
In April 2007 it was announced the second helicopter would expand its flying hours from 5 days a week to 7 days a week. It also moved base from Belle Vue to Eaglescott Airfield.
At the end of April 2007 the current Chief Executive Lyn Paver, who had been at the charity for 9 years announced she was leaving to take up a similar role at Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
August 27th 2007 DAAT celebrated its 15th anniversary
On 1st October 2007 Heléna Holt took over the role of Chief Executive
On 26th September 2008 the new EC135 'G-DVAA- was officially launched at the Lord Haldon Hotel, Dunchideock. It went into service a week later.
October 2008 also saw the up-grade of the North Devon service, with the previously Exeter based EC135 G-DAAT relocating to the Eaglescott airbase.
DAAT Staff
The charity’s headquarters are in Pinhoe, Exeter.
Key contacts
Chief Executive - Heléna Holt
Fundraising Director - Caroline Creer
Finance Manager - Steve Tupper
Retail Manager - Chrissie Peel
PR Officer & PA to Chief Executive - Sarah Burden
Lottery Team Leader - Tracy Owen
Education Officer - Piers le Cheminant
Volunteering Manager - Philip King
Each of our 10 shops also employ a manager, with some (but not all) with an assistant manager. Click here to find out more about our shops.
Trustees
As a registered charity, DAAT has a board of Trustees, including a Chairman and Vice Chairman. They serve for a period of 3 years, with a maximum tender of 6 years. The Chief Executive is responsible for the day to day operations of the charity, and is answerable to the board of Trustees.
Chair of Trustees
Doug Shopland
Vice Chairman
Jackie Dawkins
Being a Trustee brings with it many important responsibilities:-
Compliance
To control the management and administration of a charity. When becoming a Trustee you accept ultimate responsibility to ensure solvency, that the charity is well run, and run for the benefit of the people it was set up to help. A Trustee has to ensure charity law set up by the Charity Commission as regulator, plus other rules and regulations are adhered to and that regular reports and annual accounts are submitted.
Duty of Prudence
To ensure they are up-to-date of the charity's financial position, ensure any funds and assets are invested wisely and that the good name of the charity is not led into disrepute.
Duty of Care
To exercise reasonable care and skill and use personal skills and experiences in order to ensure the charity is working efficiently and well run. Where a particular skill is needed, which is not available, also asking for external help and advice.
