Happy Birthday!

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Surrey Air Ambulance celebrates its third birthday this week after flying more than 1,800 missions.

 

The life-saving helicopter was launched from its base at Dunsfold Park near Horsham on June 8, 2007, following a fundraising appeal backed by actress Penelope Keith.

 

Since then it has attended 265 incidents so far this year, 694 last year, 731 in 2008 and 303 in 2007.

 

The Surrey Air Ambulance is a charity which relies almost entirely on public donations and needs £1.7m-a-year to stay airborne.

 

Chief executive John Tickner said: "In the three years since the helicopter first took flight, it has helped hundreds of patients and long may that continue.

 

"It really is a testament to the people of Surrey and all their fundraising efforts that the helicopter is still flying."

 

Medical secretary Sian Kearney, 30, from Plaistow, West Sussex, was one of the Surrey Air Ambulance's first patients.

 

The diabetic was driving through Caterham in Surrey when she suffered a hypoglycemic coma at the wheel on June 10, 2007.

 

She was knocked unconscious and sustained two broken legs when her car smashed into a wall at 70mph, setting the car on fire.

 

She said: "I would like to show my gratitude for such a wonderful service. I would not be here had it not been around so happy birthday Surrey Air Ambulance."

 

The Surrey Air Ambulance will be throwing open its doors to the public on July 11 from 11am to 4pm, click here for more info!