AMOC announces Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust as charity partner for its largest ever event in the West Country
Boconnoc House and Gardens, Lostwithiel, Cornwall
Sunday 17th September, 10am-4pm
Some of the UK’s most rare and coveted Aston Martin cars from classic DB5s to modern GT racing cars and a stunning Vulcan will be heading to Cornwall for a weekend of Cornish Charm as the Aston Martin Owners Club brings its prestigious Autumn Concours event to Boconnoc House and Gardens, Lostwithiel, on Sunday 17th September. The Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust will be the official charity beneficiary of the event.
The Aston Martin Owners Club is proud to be supporting the Cornwall Air Ambulance, particularly as the organisation celebrates its 30th anniversary year of saving lives across the county. Lives like that of Henry Kay, aged 7, from Leicestershire. Henry was on holiday in Cornwall with his family when a trampoline accident left him in such agonising pain he thought he was going to die.
The youngster was just three days into a camping holiday when he landed awkwardly while at Bodmin on Wednesday 26 July. As he landed, the lad twisted his foot and leg, breaking his femur in four places. Henry’s mum Janet, who works as a nurse, saw the accident happen and dashed to her son’s aid.
She said: “He was in excruciating pain. It was so unbearable he was going in and out of consciousness. It was so bad that Henry said to me, mummy, I think I’m going to die. It’s the worst thing when you are a parent, seeing your child in that much pain.”
A 999 call for help was made and the crew of Cornwall Air Ambulance were tasked to the emergency. However, the weather was too bad for the helicopter to fly so air ambulance paramedics Jeremy Griffiths and Kris Lethbridge drove to the incident under blue lights in one of the Charity’s critical care cars.
Henry was in so much pain that the decision was made to give him Ketamine, a very powerful form of pain relief that has sedative properties and which disassociates a patient from their injury. Only HEMS critical care paramedics are permitted to use the drug to sedate a patient.
Janet said: “When Jeremy and Kris arrived they took control of the situation confidently. As soon as they walked through the door everyone felt relieved. They weren’t only good with Henry but they were brilliant with the whole family. They were true heroes.”
Another ambulance arrive which Henry was transferred into before being taken to hospital. He was accompanied on the journey by air ambulance paramedic Kris who continued to monitor his condition.
Janet added: “The care we received was incredible. Even when we got to the hospital, Jeremy held my hand and took me inside. It’s been a horrible experience but we have been blessed to meet such wonderful people throughout.”
Another example of the organisation’s life-saving work was a terrifying car crash that left Helen George in a critical condition and in need of the Cornwall Air Ambulance crew to help her survive in June 2016 near Pendeen.
Helen saw the car approaching and came to an emergency stop to try and evade them, but they crashed into her vehicle at 50mph. Her father was also in the car and had all his ribs on the right side broken, a punctured lung and a head injury.
Helen was trapped inside her vehicle for 45 minutes with broken femurs on both legs, fractures to her fibular and tibular requiring a large skin graft, severe fractures to her left foot and an open fracture to her right arm.
Said Helen: “It normally takes two hours from where we live in Pendeen to get to Derriford Hospital; I got there in 20 minutes.
“They literally saved my life; I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the air ambulance. I am so grateful for everything they did for me.”
Helen was able to say her thanks in person when she was invited to attend the Cornwall Air Ambulance 30th anniversary celebration. She met Critical Care Paramedic Jeremy Griffiths, who helped rescue her.
“Jeremy came to visit me when I was in intensive care,” added Helen. “I remember seeing him there and he said to me ‘you’re looking better than when I last saw you’!
After many weeks in hospital, Helen has been recuperating well and although her road to recovery is long she has already been doing her bit to raise funds for Cornwall Air Ambulance.
“There is no price I can pay for what Cornwall Air Ambulance has done for me.”
The Aston Martin Owners Club event will see a stunning collection of around 40 Aston Martins meticulously prepared and displayed on the beautiful lawns of Boconnoc House as members from all over the UK compete for highly prized Aston Martin Owners Club Concours trophies.
The event will be open to the public and will be a great day out for all the family who can come and enjoy seeing the iconic cars and chatting to owners, while enjoying the background of music from local musicians and shopping a wide variety of produce from Cornish artisans.
The Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust is set to land one of its life-saving helicopters at the Concours to help raise funds and awareness of its work as the official charity partner of the event.
Jackie Southon, Head of Income Generation, said: ‘’We are delighted that the Aston Martin Owners Club has chosen us to be the beneficiary at what will be the largest gathering of Aston Martins in the West, and all in a stunning Cornish location. It will be a fantastic day with a visit from the helicopter and the crew attending to speak with guests, helping to celebrate 30 years of saving lives throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.’’
There will also be a special display to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic Aston Martin DB Mk III organised by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust.
Entry for Public and AMOC Members is £20.00 per car (up to 5 people) and to complete in the Concours (open to AMOC Members only) is £35.00. Public entry is from 10am-4pm and tickets only available on the gate on the day. AMOC members should contact the Club for more details.
For more details about the event or the Aston Martin Owners club, visit www.amoc.org, email hqstaff@amoc.org or call 01865 400400. Follow the Club on social media @amochq
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