Missions flown
8th to 14th March 2010

Missions flown to date

10,649

Meet the Staff

Jane Gurney, Executive Director

Having worked for the Charity for over 5 years I took up the challenge of Executive Director in 2008. I have a responsibility to implement policies, sustain revenue, oversee governance and all management functions of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust reporting directly to the board of Trustees. Over the years I have been involved with fundraising, corporate development, events and marketing and now have the opportunity to put all my knowledge and skills into the day to day running of the Trust. Leading such a passionate team dedicated to providing life saving aircrafts in both Essex and Hertfordshire is extremely rewarding. Having the opportunity to feel that you are part of something that really does make a difference to people’s lives is truly special. It has been an exciting year with still more to come!

Andrew Bounds, Finance Director

I joined the Charity in 2006 having previously worked with another Air Ambulance charity. My role is one of supporting and providing information to the Trustees and Executive Director by monitoring and developing financial systems to provide good governance and control. As a Director of the company that operates the raffles and weekly lotteries for the charity I also have to keep up to date with Gambling Commission requirements. I am lucky to be working for such a good cause with such a great team of people.

Pam Withrington, Head of Marketing and Fundraising

I have been involved with the charity since 2004 and have a background in marketing, promotions and event management. My current role as Head of Marketing and Fundraising involves developing and overseeing many of the new initiatives we are implementing across the Trust in order to generate much needed funds and raise the profile/awareness of both services. Many people are still surprised to learn that the Air Ambulances do not receive any funding but rely on the generosity and support of the people and businesses of both counties. I head up an enthusiastic team dedicated to providing the very best Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the people of Essex and Hertfordshire.

Jean Robinson, Facilities Manager

My role as Facilities Manager is wide and varied but for the coming months my focus is to oversee the exciting Essex Aircraft relocation project and office move. I started volunteering with the Charity in 2003 and joined the office team in 2004 initially in fundraising. Moving from the Fundraising Team I worked in Air Operations, supporting our medical aircrew and played a part in the introduction of the Herts Air Ambulance. Since joining I have trekked in the Himalayas, walked the Essex Way with BBC Essex and in October 2009 I will trek the Inca Trail in Peru! Working as part of this team is so varied and rewarding, where we are all working together to provide such a worthwhile service; I am extremely proud to be part of it.

Janice Flower, Lottery and Office Manager

I have been with the Charity since 2003 and now manage the Lottery Department; it’s my responsibility to ensure that the Flight for Life Lottery runs smoothly and remains the main source of income for the Trust. It is the job of the Lottery Department to recruit and retain both Weekly Draw and Superdraw members so we are always looking for new ways to inform people about how important the Flight for Life Lottery is. We also organise the many Flight for Life Lottery Roadshows that tour both Essex and Hertfordshire….look out for us and come and say hello! I love informing Lottery players that they have won - handing over a cheque for £25,000 to our first lucky Superdraw winner was a real privilege. Twice yearly the Lottery Team runs a very successful Raffle incentive which has helped raise in excess of £300,000 for the Trust. I am passionate about the reasons why we need to fundraise – ultimately, the Air Ambulance is there to help save lives

Holly Butler, Lottery Administrator

In 2006 I joined the Lottery Team; the Flight for Life Lottery is the main source of revenue for the Trust and helps to keep both the Essex & Herts Air Ambulances flying. With around 20,000 members my days are kept busy…processing new members, dealing with general enquires, sending out renewal letters and helping to arrange our all important Lottery Roadshows! It’s a great feeling to know that our work will be helping so many people. I also enjoy attending many of the Charity events where there is always a good team spirit and lots to get stuck into. I feel very privileged to be working for such an important charity which benefits the people of Essex.

Nezda Leigh, Fundraising Manager

I have been working for the Charity since November 2006 and I am very pleased to say that I still thoroughly enjoy working here! I am the Fundraising Manager, the person you would speak to if you decide to raise money for the Essex Air Ambulance either as an individual, a group or as a company. I coordinate all the collection tins around Essex, organise the Charity’s overseas challenges and plan the Go Yellow Appeal every September as part of National Air Ambulance Week. If you decide to raise money for the Essex Air Ambulance, I would love to hear from you – my role will be to support you in anyway I can!

Jill Jennings, Volunteer Coordinator

I started working for the Charity in July 2009 on a temporary part-time basis as support within the fundraising department and was thrilled when I was offered a permanent position from January 2010.

As Volunteer Co-ordinator, I am responsible for recruiting, managing and supporting our valued volunteers at the many hundreds of local events the Charity is asked to attend throughout the year, from talks at schools or organisations, to holding a merchandise stall at fetes, Christmas bazaars etc. I am looking forward to the challenge of ensuring all these varied attendance requests are covered, as combined, they generate a vast amount of revenue for our cause. Having lived all my life in a remote part of the County, the Dengie Hundred peninsula, I am fully aware of how vitally important it is to keep the Air Ambulance flying to help save lives and am very proud to say that I am now part of the dedicated team who do so.

Jessica Prestney, Trust Administrator

I joined the Trust in July 2008 in order to oversee the Reception area. My role has now developed and as the Trust Administrator I have taken on a wider range of responsibilities. In addition to the main reception area I am also responsible for general and HR administration and also manage the ‘Copter Kidz Club. I very much enjoy working for the Charity and hope to develop news skills to assist the work of the Trust over the coming years.

Maureen Palmer, Herts Fundraising Administrator

I joined the Herts Air Ambulance team in April 2009. Having previously worked for a large charity, I am now really enjoying being part of charity that predominately serves the County of Hertfordshire. Every day is varied, busy and extremely interesting my role is to support the Herts Co-ordinator so I may be collecting tins, dealing with general enquiries or supporting events! I feel a great sense of pride in helping to keep the helicopter flying for the people of Hertfordshire!

Cliff Gale, Operations Director

I come from a policing background having served 31 years in Sussex, the last 8 years of which managing the Air Operations Unit. My role as Operations Director is primarily to ensure the Trust is getting value for money from the contractors who provide aviation services as well as assisting them in maintaining an effective, safe operation and represent the Trust on a number of aviation based committees. I work closely with all contractors and my medical colleagues to provide continuous clinical excellence via our aero-medical operation.

Ramzi Freij, Medical Director

I joined the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust three years ago as a Trustee and in an advisory capacity assisted the Trust on governance issues. Having now moved into the role of Medical Director I have led on changing the service from being a paramedic only service primarily providing transportation for patients to a clinical delivery service taking the A&E to the patients that require it. My role as Medical Director involves recruiting doctors, training them and ensuring that the Trust has a robust governance system in place.

I have been a NHS A&E consultant since 1996 and have been Head of Emergency Services in Mayday University Hospital, East Kent Hospitals and lately Nottingham University.

Phil Grieve, Clinical Manager

I trained as a paramedic at the University of Hertfordshire with the London Ambulance Service, qualifying in 2001. In 2006, whilst working as a Clinical Team Leader in London I was seconded to the Department of Health ambulance policy team to advise on National paramedic education policy. Then in 2007 a second secondment took me to London’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service as a HEMS paramedic. I joined the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust as Clinical Manager in August 2008 to manage our dedicated team of Doctors and Paramedics. Working along side the clinical staff, the ambulance service and other HEMS systems in the UK we work hard to contribute to excellent patient care for the severely ill and injured in our Counties. Every day is different, be it shifts on the aircraft, juggling the demands of two busy airbases or working with the fundraising team at the charity office at Earls Colne, this is a great job!

Wendy Byland, Events Manager

I joined the Charity in January 2005. In my role as Events Manager I organise all the Charity’s own events, from small fundraising days to huge events like the annual Motorcycle Run, Charity Balls and Dragon Boat Race to name but a few! Planning and organising events also means working with corporate partners to put sponsorships in place – without whom, these events would not be possible! It’s a daily challenge, but one I love!! It’s great to be part of such a fantastic team where everyone has a genuine passion for what they do.

Mark Brown, Finance and IT Manager

I have been with the Charity since December 2004. My role is to maintain the day to day financial management of the charity, to assist the Financial Director with the provision of financial information to the Trustees and Executive Director. I also oversee the fundraising office IT Systems. It is great to work with such a motivated group of people who are passionate about saving lives.

Jenny Beck, Lottery Administrator

Joining the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust in September 2006 was an exciting opportunity to make the most of my accounting and customer service skills. My responsibilities now include aspects of Trust finances and the role of Health and Safety Officer. At times I represent the Charity at events, it’s great meeting and talking to lots of interesting people. It is fantastic to be working alongside others who have boundless energy and enthusiasm for a cause in which we all sincerely believe.

Aderyn Gillett, Communications Manager

I joined Essex Air Ambulance in July 2003. My role includes raising the profile of the charity in the media and generally looking after our corporate brand. It is a great privilege to work for Essex Air Ambulance, I am proud to be part of an organisation that makes such a difference to peoples lives. I enjoy spending my spare time with my husband and being mummy to our energetic 1 year old son and 3 year old Cocker Spaniel.

Hannah Ashby, PR Assistant

I joined the Trust in February 2009 as PR Assistant. My role is extremely varied, I am responsible for all the PR activity, looking after our brand and overseeing the website amongst other things. I absolutely love working here; no two days are the same! It is an absolute privilege to work with such a dedicated team of people, and knowing that our day to day activities are making a difference to people’s lives.

Dom Atkins, New Media Coordinator

Interesting job title…but basically I’m responsible for editing all four websites, implementing and growing our Text 2 donate service and developing our social networking sites! All exciting ways to get our key messages out there and keep people informed about what’s going on and how they can support us. I also help compile the ‘Copter Kidz magazine which is distributed 4 times a year to all our young ‘Copter Kidz members. I’ve been part of the team for a couple of years now and working with such a keen group of people makes every day fun and rewarding.

Clare Calder, Trust Support

I joined the Trust in April 2008 on a part-time basis to help support the fundraising team and the Executive Director. The days I spend here are incredibly varied, interesting … and busy! It is fantastic to be part of a dedicated, motivated and energetic team who are all so focused on the challenging goal of keeping both the Essex and Herts Air Ambulances flying.

Nikki Caborn, Herts Coordinator

I was appointed Herts Co-ordinator in September 2007…what a journey!! It has been incredibly exciting being part of the team that led the fundraising and ultimately launch an Air Ambulance for the people of Hertfordshire. I use all the knowledge I have in media and promotions to come up with exciting new initiatives to help raise much needed funds to keep the Air Ambulance flying. I enjoy meeting new people in my job, and I love being able to share my passion and enthusiasm for the Herts Air Ambulance with them. It gives me a great sense of achievement to know I’m helping to raise vital funds for a much needed service for Hertfordshire!

Sabi Blyth, Administrator

I started working as a volunteer for the Charity at the beginning of 2009 and progressed onto doing various admin roles and promotional work where I attended events such as the Dragon Boat Race and Motorcycle Run.

As of January 2010, I was made a permanent member of staff and work mainly on reception; I am also in charge of sending thank you letters to all the generous people of Essex and Hertfordshire who give us donations.

It is a pleasure to be part of the hard working team here at the Air Ambulance.

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