Copter called to the isles

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) landed on the rooftop helipad at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow twice within several hours after consecutive emergencies saw them airlift patients from the islands of Islay and Bute.

A medical emergency at Bowmore required urgent transfer for a sick man to mainland hospital care.

SCAA was refuelling at Clyde Heliport for the flight back to Perth when a second call sent them to the aid of a suspected stroke patient at Rothesay who required rapid transfer to advanced hospital care.

Several days later, the charity air ambulance was back on the islands - this time to airlift a stroke patient to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

The airborne crew was also called to an accident on a farm in Perthshire this week where a woman sustained serious injuries after being crushed against a metal gate by a cow.

SCAA was the first emergency response team on scene and worked with colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service who arrived in a land ambulance.

The patient was then airlifted to advanced care at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

SCAA’s paramedics were passing in the charity’s Rapid Response Vehicle when a man fell in the street in Perth and injured himself.

The crew attended the patient and a land ambulance then conveyed him to Perth Royal Infirmary.

*** Local supporters and fundraisers have been keeping the funds pouring in to SCAA this week.

The Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club (Scotland) helped drive home £350 for SCAA during an event at Perth Airport.

Meanwhile, lady golfers in Highland Perthshire are using driving of a different nature to help boost SCAA’s funds. Pitlochry Golf Club ladies section has donated £69 from their winter league competition entry fees.

And coffee and cake was the offering at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane when they hosted a coffee morning and raised £222.39 for SCAA.

A Crieff woman kindly organised an afternoon tea at the retirement community where she lives and raised £207.50 for the air ambulance charity.

Quizzers were in action at the MacDonald Arms at Balbeggie recently, with the real“winner”being SCAA, which benefitted from the £130 raised through the event.

Young farmers are regular supporters of the charity. Members of Aberfeldy and District JAC visited SCAA’s Perth Airport base this week to hand over £400 raised through a cycling event held last year.

Thanks also to Dunkeld and Birnam Guides who also popped in to the airbase this week to donate £348.84 raised through a stall at Dunkeld’s Santa Day last Christmas.

And Perth and District Airborne Alliance continued their support with a £250 donation raised through various fundraising events.

This week also saw a £324.18 donation handed in to SCAA from Glenalmond College’s Lent term chapel offerings.

And thanks to everyone passing through Edinburgh Airport on bank holiday Monday who donated a total of £891.41 to SCAA’s bucket collection.

Locally placed cans being emptied and counted this week include those from: Tower Bakery £147.88; the Royal Bar, Perth £62.30; Pitlochry service station £46.57; Edinburgh Road filling station, Perth £94.40; Inchmichael Garage £18.80; the Half A Tanner, Perth £130.54; Eric’s Burger Van, Inveralmond, Perth £38.93; the Co-op, Bridge of Earn £98.78 and the BP filling station at Inveralmond, Perth £57.17.

* * * SCAA is hoping for a blooming good turnout at the St Columbus Church Flower Festival in Crieff which runs from June 1-3 as proceeds from the three-day event will be donated to the air ambulance charity.