National Volunteers’ Week is the perfect time to become a volunteer and help your Air Ambulance save lives in your community.
Our volunteers provide invaluable support to us throughout the year, fulfilling many important and rewarding roles. From giving talks to local groups, clubs and schools to attending a variety of events across the region – we have the perfect role for you.
Everyone has different reasons for volunteering – whether you’ve got time on your hands and you’re looking for a friendly and supportive community to be around, or you’re a former patient looking to give something back, like Risto.
Former patient overcomes injuries to volunteer
In 2017, Dr Risto Talas, 55, from Portsmouth was involved in a road traffic collision with a four-ton truck.
He broke nine ribs and his back in two places and the steering wheel smashed his femur. His right lung collapsed from a flailing rib and another lacerated his liver. He was critically ill and needed urgent medical attention from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance team.
Risto is in his first year of volunteering for us and is keen to give back to the service that was there for him.
He said:
“I had heard of air ambulances but never thought I would be a beneficiary of such an important service. I am just absolutely and totally overwhelmed with positivity towards those who helped save my life.
“I want to give something back. Lindsay and I have been fundraising for the charity for the last seven years through our ‘Curry for ‘copters’ lunches and dinners, but only this year have I felt able to apply to join the volunteering team.
“With my physical difficulties after multiple operations on my femur and constant pain in my back and shoulder, I have limits on what I can achieve so a few hours here and there of volunteering will help me to achieve just that.”
Risto recently took part in our Miles for Missions campaign.
Join Risto and the rest of team to help make a direct impact on people in your community.
Check out our volunteering page or contact the team today to get you started.
