The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance provide a service to the public that is invaluable. In 2011 alone they attended 665 incidents saving countless lives.

The crew consists of six permanent paramedics and two pilots, all of whom are fully experienced and trained individuals, whose daily routines consist of saving lives.

The many men and women working behind the scenes helping to raise large sums of money for such a worthy cause also deserve appreciation and praise. For the helicopter to sit on the helipad alone it costs the charity £1.5 million a year.

This large sum of money does not even include the cost of fuel, maintenance, training or the medical equipment needed. It may come as a surprise to many that the charity receives no government funding and relies wholly on the kindness of donations from the public.

Annette Plaistow–Traupaud, the Fundraising Coordinator for the Air Ambulance is one of only 14 others employed by the organisation.

With such a large task at hand, the support of the public could not be more important. The 44-year old evidently has a very fulfilling job, and this certainly shows. As she speaks a permanent smile is edged on her face, she provides endless praise for both the Air Ambulance crew and the many volunteers. “It is such a fulfilling job working for such an amazing charity. It wouldn’t run as smoothly without the dedicated work of the volunteers who do such an amazing job for nothing. ”

Taking pride in her career is something that Annette feels passionately about, as she shares openly how she came to be a part of the Air Ambulance.

“I worked in recruitment which has a lot of money involved. It was a robust career, but I knew I needed a change when one of my clients turned up at the office with a brand new Audi. I wanted to put money into the pockets of someone who really deserved it. ”

Helping to fundraise money for an organisation that has been to over 9,000 missions, saving countless lives could not be a more meaningful career.

After working with the Air Ambulance for four years, Annette has endless stories and memories of those who have donated money to the charity.

A large majority of donations are from people who have emotional ties to the organisation, and others just give money out of great kindness.

“It is amazing what people will do for the charity, an 80 year old woman did a sky dive and raised £1,000,” shares Annette, as she has grown used to the strange and wonderful ways people raise money for the charity.

The charity also fundraises through recycling, in which one woman took to the extreme. Annette describes how one supporter had collected bags full of bras to be recycled. They filled up a whole garage resulting in a van having to be called out to collect them all.

The close relationship amongst the crew is noticeable instantly, as they chat and laugh casually with each other. With a drum kit for Max the pilot, while Michelle and Claire the paramedics sit revising for an upcoming exam, the feeling at air base is very much calm and relaxed.

But dressed in their professional uniforms they could not be more prepared or trained for an emergency call that they could receive at any time.

Captain Max Hoskins, 46, has been one of the pilots for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for eight years. He appears modest in his role, although it is evident that as pilot his role relies a lot on skill and experience.

Max is an ex-oil rig pilot in the North Sea and faced flying not only in very harsh conditions, but landing on a tiny helipad surrounded by a heaving sea. He speaks confidently about the helicopter praising its speed and its benefit to the public.

“An ambulance on the roads will take someone who is injured or suffering from an illness to the closest hospital. But the Air Ambulance, due to its speed will take the patient to the hospital specialist for the patients needs,” explains Max.

The helicopter flies at 150mph and can reach Bournemouth from the base in 12 minutes, which by car would take over an hour. This highlights the speed of the helicopter that means reaching a patient fast and getting them to a specialist hospital in the quickest time. This could be the difference between life or death.

Michelle Walker, 31 and Claire Baker, 30 are two of the permanent paramedics that are part of the Air Ambulance crew.

They are surprisingly young for a pair who have had years of training and experience in such a mentally and physically challenging field of work.

Although they are both extremely modest it is evident that the work that they do everyday is exceptional. Michelle lists endlessly the amount of training she has received to become fully qualified to join the Air Ambulance crew, which she describes as the ‘pinnacle’ of her career.

Today, their training still continues, as they are about to embark on a new Critical Care course for a degree that will underpin their paramedic qualification. Michelle explains: “This degree will provide us with enhanced skills, enhanced drugs allowing us to save more lives and carry out other surgical procedures.”

To become a paramedic on the Air Ambulance Claire and Michelle underwent a vigorous selection process. This involved fitness training, including a one-mile run, interviews and a lifting assessment, where the pair had to carry a stretcher weighing 11 stone.

It is incredible how a small team of people can make such a difference, strengthening the emergency services. The work this organisation does everyday of the year is so vitally important in saving lives. Without the support of the public the helicopter would remain on the ground and the crew would not be able to save lives.

Emma Bennett