In 2021, Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s lifesaving crews treated 140 child patients and over half of these were under five years old.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the helicopter-based air ambulance which covers Milton Keynes, has released some figures, detailing how many young people they helped during the last year.
The service treats an average of 18 children a month.
In total, its paramedic and doctor crews have given critical care to nearly 789 children since it became an independent healthcare provider in 2018.
The charity has released the figures to mark the launch of its Summer Raffle, which is fronted this year by Laura and her son Charlie. Charlie was treated by Thames Valley Air Ambulance when he stopped breathing at just two months old.
James Perks, Critical Care Paramedic at Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said: “We are called out to treat the most seriously ill and injured patients across the Thames Valley, so the stakes are always high. But when that patient is a young child, it can be an even bigger challenge.
“Our team is specially trained in how to treat young patients and we always carry paediatric equipment on board all our vehicles. We know that time is of the essence, and we fight to give every patient everything we’ve got.
“As a dad myself, call outs involving young children can stick with you. That’s why it’s amazing to see former patient Charlie and his mum fronting our Summer Raffle this year. Every ticket purchased will go on to help more families like theirs.”
To play the Summer Raffle and help Thames Valley Air Ambulance provide lifesaving care to people in your community, as well as to be in with the chance of winning £2,500, click here.
You can read Laura and Charlie's story here.
