News

Sainsbury's Bletchley joins forces with The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance

24th June 2009

The Trust will benefit over the next 12 months through working in partnership with Sainsbury's colleagues to organise fundraising events, including charity collections.

The charity is close to the heart of colleagues in Sainsbury's Bletchley as they had to use the service for one of their colleagues. On 16 January 2007 Francis Fitzimmons had a brain hemorrhage whilst at work, she collapsed and the paramedics were called. Francis was taken to Milton Keynes Hospital by land ambulance. Arriving at hospital it was decided the specialalist treatment she would require was at the John Radcliff Hospital over 40 miles away in Oxford. The Air Ambulance was called to transport her, and she was in fact the very first patient to use the Air Ambulance from Milton Keynes to the new wing at the John Radcliff.

Francis remained in a coma for 3 weeks, and, when strong enough, transferred back to Milton Keynes. Francis has lost the use of her left side and is regularly visited by her friends and colleagues in a nursing home in Milton Keynes. If not for the quick thinking of the staff, paramedics and the use of the Air Ambulance things could have been a lot worse.

Store Mnager, Debbie Wrightson said, "by supporting a local charity so close to our hearts we can give something back to the Air Ambulance by helping with fundraising and volunteering to thank them for their life saving efforts for Francis and so many more like her"

Pat Conafray, TVACAA's Corporate Fundraising Manager, said : "We are absolutely delighted that Sainsbury's Bletchley voted for us as 'Charity of the Year'

"The support from the staff at Bletchley, the income that they and their customers will generate, will go a long way to securing the £2million we need to operate our seven day Emergency Service.

"We are looking forward to a great partnership over the coming year"

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