08 Apr Essex Air Ambulance takes quiz online to help keep crews in the air
Hundreds of people showed their support for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) during the current Coronavirus lockdown by taking part in the charity’s first-ever Virtual Quiz.
With pubs and clubs currently unable to hold quiz nights in support of EHAAT, the charity took its ‘Big Pub Quiz’ fundraising initiative online, and into supporters’ homes. “Staying in is the new going out”
The event, broadcast live on the charity’s Facebook page, was hosted by Critical Care Paramedic Joe Dowsing and Co-Pilot Will Hordley from EHAAT’s Earls Colne airbase, where they had just completed a twelve-hour shift attending critically ill and injured patients.
Nearly four hundred Facebook users and their families viewed the quiz and the event raised over £900 for the life-saving charity, which hopes to make it a regular event.
Fundraising Manager Natasha Robertson said, “We realised that many people would be disappointed not to be able to take part in the Big Pub Quiz for EHAAT because of the lockdown, and we were keen to do something for them. There was no charge for taking part, but many people gave us donations on the night. As soon as it finished people were asking when the next one is, so I’m pleased to say that Will and Joe will be hosting our next quiz on 17th April on YouTube and Facebook.
“There are many ways that people can continue to support their local air ambulance without leaving home from sponsored silences and virtual fitness challenges to taking part in our Spring raffle or signing up for our Flight for Life lottery. Information on all of these can be found on our website, ehaat.org.
“We’ve had to cancel or postpone many of our fundraising activities, but we are staying focussed on keeping our critical care teams operational 24/7 and to do that, it is as vital as ever that we keep raising funds.”
Although both EHAAT airbases – at North Weald and Earls Colne – are closed to all non-essential visitors, the charity’s critical care teams are currently able to work 24/7 attending the most critically ill and injured patients.
