Soar away success of flying first aiders

 

Two fearless St John Ambulance first aiders who took flight at the Birdman festival have raised enough money to buy a specially equipped cycle which will be used to save lives.

Daring duo's fundraising stunt

Worthing volunteers Cliff Baddock, 56, and Jodie Norris, 29, took the 35-feet plunge in an air ambulance made out of cardboard, paper and plastic piping.

Even before take off they had managed to raise £1,800 - enough to buy a cycle equipped with a first aid kit including medical gases and a defibrillator (used to shock the heart back to life after a cardiac arrest).

More money is still pouring in after the daring duo’s fundraising stunt and will go towards the Cycle Response Unit’s other costs including training.

This was the second time that Jodie had risen to the Birdman challenge - he was the first person to jump when the 30-year-old festival came to Worthing in 2008.

Cycle responders provide emergency life support

The Sussex St John Ambulance Cycle Response Unit was set up in 2005 and now has three cycles which are used at national and local events including the London to Brighton bike ride, Lewes bonfire and London and Brighton marathons.

Because of their flexibility, cycle responders can often reach casualties through dense crowds faster than a land ambulance. With their specialist equipment and training they are able to provide emergency life support until paramedics arrive.

Worthing St John Ambulance volunteer Mike Kerley, a founder member of the Cycle Response Unit, was the ‘base jumper’ for Sunday’s flying contest - providing a benchmark to show rescuers where competitors were likely to land.

In his role as a foreshore inspector for Worthing Borough Council he was also busy throughout the weekend, fishing bedraggled flyers out of the water.

Mike said: ‘Cliff and Jodie did St John Ambulance proud and we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated.

‘It was a lot of fun on the day but the money raised will go towards our very serious mission which is ensuring that no-one dies unnecessarily because they needed first aid and didn’t get it.’

St John Ambulance first aiders from Worthing were on duty throughout the weekend and dealt with a range of minor injuries suffered by Birdman jumpers and spectators.

Donations to the Cycle Response Unit fund can still be made online.