Lifeline Applecross helipad built in memory of Wester Ross teenager secures game-changing lighting boost
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SERIOUSLY ill or injured patients around Applecross are benefitting from extended air ambulance flying hours thanks to a generous donation of £9000 from the HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads.
The donation has funded state-of-the-art helipad lighting enabling air ambulances and search and rescue helicopters to land on the HELP Appeal funded helipad – built in 2021 – throughout the night, and during low visibility, to support the immediate transfer of critically ill patients to an appropriate hospital during darkness hours.
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Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal said: “As soon as we heard that Applecross helipad urgently needed lighting, we agreed to fund immediately. People can become seriously ill or injured any time of the day or night. This new, state-of-the-art lighting system on the helipad allows air ambulances to land and take off even when it’s dark, so patients can be flown to a hospital around the clock – which will help to save many more lives.”
The HELP Appeal has now funded 45 helipads which have now seen over 26,000 landings.
The helipad was built in 2021 in memory of Bethany Walker, who was 18 years old in 2018, when she was airlifted from Applecross to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for urgent care in just 34 minutes – a journey which is normally two hours or more by road – after contracting the flu virus which developed into sepsis.
Sadly, Bethany died, despite the best efforts of medical staff and the air ambulance – which had to land in the village’s pub car park, the only empty space available at the time.
In her memory, Bethany’s mum, Heather Teale, who was passionate about building a permanent helipad, to reduce the time it takes to get to hospital and help save the lives of critically ill patients in her Highland community and of the thousands of tourists who visit this beautiful area every year.
Heather established a community fund, which raised £15,000, and included a donation from actor Hugh Grant, who was so moved by Bethany’s story that he wanted to help make the helipad a reality. The final £50,000 was donated by Robert Bertram from the HELP Appeal.
In addition to funding the Applecross helipad, and the helipads at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow and the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, the HELP Appeal is also funding more new helipads in Scotland including at the Mull and Iona Community Hospital. For more information, please visit www.helpappeal.org.uk.
More on the HELP appeal
The HELP Appeal aims to significantly increase the number of onsite hospital helipads at major trauma centres and A&E hospitals through its grant scheme which offers non-repayable grants to hospitals to help fund new helipads or upgrade existing helipads.
The HELP Appeal has funded 45 helipads, which have received almost 26,000 landings.
The HELP Appeal relies solely on charitable donations and does not receive any government funding or money from the National Lottery.
You can follow the HELP Appeal on Twitter: @helipadHELP or visit the website: www.helpappeal.org.uk or call 0800 3898 999 for more information.
