The Charity 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 so on 27th August 1992 the Devon Air Ambulance 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.’

There have been many landmark moments since then!

• Early 1997 - helicopter received new livery/look
• 7th July 1997 - 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
• Also in 1999 the charity were honoured to be charity of the year for the Devon County Show
  
• August 2002 the charity celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 10th Birthday Challenge. 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 travelled. Jeremy Spake from the hit TV series Airport also helped us celebrate this landmark time
  
• 2003 saw a charity dinner held by award winning 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 - 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 our second helicopter was launched, flying 5 days a week from a base in North Devon. At the time 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, developed by the charity, for use when the helicopter arrives at the RD&E Hospital, Exeter
• In April 2006 the Princess Royal once again visited, this time to open the new joint air operations unit, shared between the Devon Air Ambulance 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 re-useable 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.
• Early August 2009 saw the first turf dug for the new airbase at Eaglescott, the crew still at present working from a portacabin on site. This was only possible due to the generosity of airfield owner Barry Pearson, in donating a 125 year lease to the charity/service.

On 21st January 2010 the Steve Ford airbase was officially opened by BBC Radio Devon presenter Judi Spiers.  Click here to read the full story in our news section.

Shortly after the opening Judi announced live on air that BBC Radio Devon had decided to pledge their support to the charity, by choosing us as their charity of the year for 2010. They, together with their listeners and supporters have pledged to raise £600,000 in order to help us place an order for a new Air Ambulance, to replace the one currently leased.   Click here for the full story.

For photos of the official opening and BBC Radio Devon announcement check out our photo gallery at www.flickr.com and search 'Devon Air Ambulance Trust Official'

On 27 August 2010 the charity celebrates its 18th birthday with a Teddy Bears Picnic at the Mid Devon Showground, thanks to farmer John Clapp. This event makes up part of the BBC Radio Devon Air Ambulance Appeal.

There are so many memories so far, with many more to come we are sure, thanks to your support!