The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has marked a major milestone of treating 25,000 patients since its launch in 2000.

The charity, which receives no regular government funding, provides advanced critical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to the most seriously ill and injured people in the region by air and road. 

It relies almost entirely on public donations to save lives by air and road across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

David Durrant from Ely was treated by the EAAA when he suffered a life-threatening cardiac arrest in November 2022.

He said: "It was the evening of November 5, and I was walking to the shops. I remember the traffic being heavier than normal due to it being Bonfire Night.

"I hadn’t felt different or noticed anything unusual, but the last thing I remember was walking past a pub and reaching the corner of a road. Then somebody saw me drop down to the ground."

Ely Standard: David Durrant, pictured, was treated by EAAA when he suffered a life-threatening cardiac arrest in November 2022.David Durrant, pictured, was treated by EAAA when he suffered a life-threatening cardiac arrest in November 2022. (Image: East Anglian Air Ambulance)

When a crew from the East of England Ambulance Service arrived, David was transferred from the roadside into the back of the ambulance, where they used a defibrillator to shock him four times to restore his normal heart rhythm.

In the meantime, the EAAA were called and Dr Patricia, Dr Ben and Critical Care Paramedic Andy from EAAA Anglia Two (Cambridge) reached David by Rapid Response Vehicle.

The crew gave David the critical care he needed at the scene to give him the best chance of surviving and recovering.

This included sedating him and using a ventilator to take over his breathing ready to accompany him on the journey to hospital.

From road traffic collisions to cardiac arrests to medical emergencies, EAAA’s specialist doctors, critical care paramedics and pilots bring the advanced skills, equipment and medicine directly to the patient’s side in the fastest time possible.

David is now doing well and as well as dancing a couple of times a week, he swims regularly. 

Because he was unable to drive for six months after being fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in hospital, he has also done plenty of walking.

He added: "The care EAAA gave me was excellent and efficient. I am so glad they were there. You never know what might have happened otherwise.”

Ely Standard: The East Anglian Air Ambulance relies almost entirely on public donations to save lives by air and road. The East Anglian Air Ambulance relies almost entirely on public donations to save lives by air and road. (Image: East Anglian Air Ambulance)

Matthew Jones, CEO at East Anglian Air Ambulance said: “Treating 25,000 people in our region since 2000 is a remarkable milestone for the charity to reach and we are both proud and grateful that we have been able to help so many people when they needed us most.

"It has only been possible thanks to incredible support from the individuals, businesses and communities who continue to go above and beyond to fundraise, donate and volunteer to save local lives.

"Their kindness and impact is extraordinary - and gives every patient treated by EAAA the best possible chance of surviving and recovering a life-threatening emergency.”