President's Lunch

Today we held our President’s Lunch to celebrate the conclusion of President Graham’s year as President. This is a slight change from previous years when we have held a formal President’s Dinner. Because of the extreme heat the gentlemen, including President Graham, were in their shirtsleeves instead of suits. We met at the Essex Barn at Channels, where a number of large floor-standing fans kept us cooler than might otherwise have been the case.

After lunch President Graham briefly mentioned some of the Club’s events and achievements during his Presidential year, many of which will continue in the year ahead. He thanked all members for their support.

He then handed over to our speaker, Peter Hennessey of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. This is not part of the NHS or government funded. It relies on volunteers and voluntary contributions.

They operate from two bases, Earls Colne in Essex and North Weald in Hertfordshire. They each have a Rapid Response Fleet consisting of a helicopter and a road vehicle. Each base is manned by a team of two helicopter pilots, a doctor and a paramedic. Since speed is of the essence when there is a medical emergency, which unit from where is sent to any particular incident depends on which can get there quickest. Essex & Herts sometimes rely on neighbouring air ambulances that can arrive more quickly and sometimes an Essex & Herts air ambulance will attend incidents in a neighbouring county.

The helicopters each cost €7,500,000 before fitting out. Essex & Herts is fortunate in owning both of theirs. Other Air Ambulance Trusts often have to rent theirs. Just like road ambulances, the air ambulances are equipped to transport patients to hospital, although this is only done when hospital treatment is urgent.

Unlike road ambulances, the air ambulances carry blood. This is type O-, which can be given to anybody regardless of their own blood group. The blood is collected from an NHS hospital each day and any unused blood returned at the end of the day. The equipment need to carry out a blood transfusion is single use only, so is only used if the a transfusion must be given before the patient is transferred to hospital. In May 2026 there were only four incidents in which Essex & Herts air ambulances gave blood to a patient.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulances were called out 197 times in May. This included 40 road traffic accidents, 71 other injuries and 86 other medical emergencies. The helicopters were sent to 124 incidents and the road vehicles to 73.

The service costs £1,000,000 per month, much of which has to be raised from the residents of Hertfordshire and Essex. As well as raising voluntary contributions, the charity runs a regular lottery and a charity shop.