The HELP Appeal charity has presented its second annual donation of £250,000 to the British Association for Immediate Care Schemes.
This 900-strong organisation, made up of medical, nursing and paramedic volunteers are divided into local and regional immediate care schemes, and are on call around the clock, seven days a week to support NHS ambulance services across the country. The presentation was made virtually and brings the total amount donated to British Association for Immediate Care Schemes to £500,000 so far.
All of the association’s affiliated schemes were invited to apply for grants enabled by the HELP Appeal, and as a result 10 schemes have benefitted. This round of grants is funding three emergency response vehicles and addressing equipment needs for over 80 volunteer members. This includes equipping vehicles with blue lights and siren systems, satellite navigation and communication equipment, winter tyres for scheme-owned vehicles and personal protective helmets and clothing for their roadside work.
When presenting the £250,000 cheque, Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, which also funds NHS hospital helipads, said, “It’s a pleasure to make this second donation to the British Association for Immediate Care, knowing the huge difference our first one made – from brand new rapid response vehicles to safety equipment that would help the selfless BASICS’ volunteers reach an incident quickly and safely. Last year 12 schemes benefitted, and I’m delighted that more will be receiving the HELP Appeal’s funding in 2020.
“The HELP Appeal focuses on saving time to save patients’ lives, whilst upholding the highest of safety standards for medical professionals and the donation to the British Association for Immediate care ensures that our ethos continues.”
Tony Kemp, Chief Officer, British Association for Immediate Care, said, “Our schemes are all voluntary and their funds either come from their own pockets or charitable donations. The HELP Appeal’s annual grant is quite literally a lifesaver and provides for vital equipment and vehicles that otherwise would be only a dream for many.
“The British Association for Immediate Care through its affiliated immediate care schemes have been providing vital life and limb saving pre-hospital care for well over 40-years. They are a vital and often unheralded resource to the NHS ambulance services bringing specialist advanced skills to a wide range of medical and trauma incidents across the UK.”
The 2020 grant will be distributed to: BASICS Cornwall; BASICS Devon; BASICS North Staffordshire; BEEP, Penrith area; BRAVO Medics, Bristol area; East Midlands Immediate Care scheme, (EMICS); LIVES in Lincolnshire; MAGPAS in Mid Anglia; West Midlands Care Team and West Yorkshire Medic Response Team.
A further round of grants from this years’ funding will be made in the new year to distribute the rest of the monies from the donation.
