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In March 2008, I fractured my lower spine in a horse-riding accident. At the time I was at University, and was on holiday with a group of friends in Wales. Due to our remote location, an Air Ambulance was required to take me to hospital to receive emergency care.

I can’t recall much about the accident but I do remember how kind, reassuring and professional the helicopter crew were – and how relieved I was to see them! At the time I thought I was just badly winded and bruised, but scans revealed I had a compressed lower spinal fracture. I spent nearly three weeks in hospital and wore a back brace for a further three months and have received intensive physio since. I was incredibly lucky that I wasn’t paralysed and it was a traumatic and worrying time for my family and friends and of course for me.

It was only after my accident that I learnt that Air Ambulance crews do not receive funding from the Government or the National Lottery, even though they are the busiest voluntary life-saving emergency service. It costs around £165,000 per month to run the helicopter and about £2000 per mission flown. So raising money is essential in ensuring that many people can have the chance of life that the helicopter can give them when they need fast medical treatment.

The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance carries a full range of life saving medical equipment and two fully qualified paramedics. The helicopter is operated in daylight hours, seven days per week, 365 days per year. TVACAA operates across the three counties of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. However, Air Ambulances have no clinical boundaries and can often be called out to attend emergencies in neighbouring counties. The helicopter can fly at speeds of up to 150 mph in order to reach remote areas and life or death situations within 15 minutes – much faster then land ambulances.

So on the 2nd August 2012, I will be leaving for Tanzania to embark on one of the most difficult, amazing and rewarding challenges – trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro!

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres above sea level, which will take 6 days to the summit. It will be an altitude climb which will take me through 4 different weather climates and through one of the nearest moon like atmosphere on earth! It will be hot, hot, hot in the day and as cold as -20 at night! I am not sure how my back will take to the trek but I have been training hard and doing a lot of physio to ensure that I am in the best shape I can be for the trek.

I understand that times are tough, but any sponsorship you can provide will be very gratefully received and I am sure I will speak for all of the Air Ambulance when I thank you for your support.

Thanks and thanks again, Nicole xxx

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