The Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust in New Zealand has recently received $20,000 from the Taranaki Patriotic Trust. The funds will help in making improvements to enhance the care provided by the air ambulance service to new-born babies.
How the TPT Decided to Help the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust
The suggestion to help the air ambulance was made by the trustees of the Taranaki Patriotic Trust, Rev. David Self. The air ambulance transported his grandchild from New Plymouth several times to Hamilton Hospital. Although the baby didn’t survive in the end, Rev. Self decided that it would be helpful for the air ambulance if they had a new incubator or pod for new-born babies.
So when the Taranaki Patriotic Trust had some extra money to donate to worthy charities and causes in the region, he made the suggestion to buy one for the air ambulance service.
Enhanced Air Ambulance Service for Babies
According to a trustee of the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust, David Drummond, the financial support from the Taranaki Patriotic Trust could make a difference between life and death. Through the Taranaki Hospital Board, they were able to buy a pod or incubator for premature babies to be used in their flights.
The old incubator they’re using was too heavy, weighing around 90 kilos. But a new and updated model would only weigh around 12-13 kilos. So this means the air ambulance will be able to transport more babies for medical treatment. The Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust has also expressed their willingness to lend the new incubator to the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter in case of emergencies.
Members of the Taranaki Patriotic Trust, including Rev. Self, presented a check of $20,000 to representatives of the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust. The latter will be using the funds to enhance their operations.
