Edging closer to Air Angels fundraising target

Jan 24 2010 by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun

EACH week we’re edging closer to our aim.

Thanks to more fantastic fundraising you’ve helped us increase our Air Angels total to an impressive £232,000.

With another push this week we can break the £250,000 mark and bring the Great North Air Ambulance’s dream of a new helicopter closer.

Our £1m target is ambitious, but your efforts so far show it’s possible.

To look at the smiling faces of heart transplant baby Ted Parks and his family, leaves no doubt of how crucial the life-saving service is.

The seven-month-old has just enjoyed his first full week at home with parents Kay Husband and Stephen Parks, and doting older brother Tom.

Despite being allowed home from Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital at the start of the month, the tough youngster, nicknamed "Super Ted" by nurses, was unable to be reunited with Tom, who was suffering from chickenpox at the time.

Now the close-knit family are back where they belong, at home together, in Normanby, Teesside.

Delighted dad Stephen, 34, said: "It’s just all back to normal with Tom back, which is great. It’s every day mum and dad stuff but we’ve still got to take things slowly. It’s proper family time now, there’s no rush for us.

"Ted has started to eat a bit more, which we were conscious of, because it’s important for his progress. But the best thing is having Tom and Ted back here together.

"You spend all that time at the hospital then get back and suddenly it feels like you’ve never been away."

In October last year, just minutes from death, Ted was transferred from Teesside to Tyneside by the Great North Air Ambulance for life-saving treatment.

Medics feared for the youngster’s life so much the Tyne Tunnel was closed to rush his parents to his side.

Now after the initial success of his heart transplant, staff at the Great North Air Ambulance have told of their delight at seeing Ted and his smiling family back together.

Fundraising manager Mandy Drake said: "It’s wonderful to see Ted at home with the rest of his family. This is why the charity exists, to bring hope to families when all seems lost.

"His amazing story is an example of the challenges our skilled medics and pilots are constantly responding to. We are dedicated to saving lives and easing pain and suffering across the region, but to keep doing that we need your help.

"Once again your efforts have been fantastic this week, but we can’t stop now. If everyone who reads this helps us with a donation, or a pledge, or some fundraising, we will edge even closer to our total.

"It seems to shock everyone when they realise our service receives no Government funding, but it’s true. With your help we can find the money for this helicopter and ensure we can help patients like Ted for years to come."

:: Click here to find out how you can help our Air Angels campaign