On Monday 23rd August 2021, our lives were turned upside down when our beautiful 18-month old daughter, Charlotte, was involved in a scalding accident which caused 13% burns across her
face and body.

On that day, Charlotte was helped massively by the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Based on the information given to the 999 call handlers and by the paramedics first on the scene, the Great North Air Ambulance were able to quickly get to Charlotte and give her the important pain relief that she desperately needed at that time. 

The crew of the air ambulance were able to land close to our house and then transport her quickly to the RVI in Newcastle, which meant that she was able to get into the operating theatre before my husband had even reached the hospital by car. 

Although the journey by air ambulance was a complete blur, what stands out for me is how calm and reassuring the staff were, and how they were able to make this a more positive experience during the worst possible time.

During the time spent at the hospital, the nurses told me that the quick actions and expertise of the air ambulance crew enabled Charlotte to get the best outcome in the quickest time possible and reduced her pain levels. After spending time in hospital, where she received truly outstanding care in the RVI children's ward, Charlotte is now making a good recovery. She has had a skin graft on her arm, but amazingly she has had no long-term scarring on her face. We truly believe that this is down to the quick response of the Great North Air Ambulance, as well as the amazing team at the RVI in Newcastle.

We cannot thank the Great North Air Ambulance enough, and know that they are a charity that rely heavily on fundraising to continue being amazing. I hope that by running the Great North Run I can help to raise funds that will enable them to continue their
life-saving work.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Their doctor-led critical care teams deliver life-saving treatments at the scene of the incident whether that is on a fell top, a roadside or in a city centre. The charity responded to 1,640 call outs last year* alone, via their helicopter and emergency response vehicles, where they performed treatments and procedures which can mean the difference between life or death.