Members of the Rotary Club of Chepstow recently visited Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) at their Swansea Airport.  Club members were keen to see how the £4 ,000 that they raised has been spent and the answer came quickly when the helicopter was scrambled for an emergency mission.

Within two minutes the helicopter ‘Helimed 57’ was airborne and heading north to a serious road traffic accident. Fortunately, on this occasion, the helicopter was not required to transfer casualties to hospital so it returned to base within 40 minutes.  Club members were then able to look around the aircraft and learn about the WAA operation first hand from the crew. The Club was very impressed by the dedicated professionalism of the team of two paramedics and their pilot, and Club members appreciated how much of a life saving difference the WAA provides.  The importance of the WAA operation, which presently requires £3 million pounds per annum, put into sharp perspective their reliance on voluntary donations from organisations and individuals. In 2009 the financial demand will be even greater as the WAA will need to raise £4 million as they replace their current helicopters with newer, more capable models.  The members of the Rotary Club of Chepstow wo uld like to thank the crew of ‘Helimed 57’ and Rhodri Davies from WAA headquarters for their warm welcome, time and expertise.

Rotary is an organization of business people who work together to solve local and international humanitarian problems in order to spread goodwill and peace. If you would like to become involved in Rotary contact either David Burr on 01291 627886 or Ray Lee on 01291 625164 or Ken Saunders on 01291 423704.