26 Jul Essex & Herts Air Ambulance unveil unique Supporter Sculpture
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) unveiled a unique sculpture at its Earls Colne Airbase on Thursday 22nd July 2021. The installation “Supporting Us, Supporting You”, which will take pride of place at the airbase entrance, is the result of the charity’s sculpture Design Project, in collaboration with Harlow College. Art and Design student Kiera Harkett’s design represents the local community who proudly support EHAAT.
The Harlow College Design Project collaboration saw twenty-seven Art & Design students submit proposals which were whittled down to just ten by a panel of judges. Five designs were shortlisted and then put to a vote by staff and volunteers from all areas of the charity, with Kiera’s entry being chosen for installation at Earls Colne.
Kiera Harkett, Art and Design Student at Harlow College, said, “I had a lot of different ideas for the sculpture which were linked to community and how the EHAAT crew are like a family. I researched the charity’s history which helped me see how it has become what it is today; how the community has played a huge role in helping EHAAT assist people since the very beginning.”
“When visitors see “Supporting Us, Supporting You” I would like them to think about the life-saving work the charity does, make them aware of all the diverse people who play their part, as well as those that are helped every day, and to ultimately appreciate everything that EHAAT has done and will continue to do in the future.”
Jane Gurney, CEO of EHAAT, who unveiled the sculpture with Kiera, along with Simon Brice, High Sheriff of Essex, local MPs Stephen Metcalfe and Will Quince and two members of EHAAT’s Critical Care Team Laurie Phillipson and Ben Myer said, “Many congratulations to Kiera Harkett who has created an outstanding sculpture that will be seen by all who visit us here at Earls Colne. We were delighted to be able to work with Kiera and are thrilled with what she has achieved.”
“The judges were hugely impressed with how all of the Art & Design students’ at Harlow College came to understand how EHAAT works and all the elements needed to remain operational; crew, volunteers, staff and community support. This has been a fantastic journey for both the charity and students and we’re excited that staff and visitors will be able to enjoy this unique installation for years to come.”
“Our very grateful thanks go to the Harlow College tutors who oversaw this project and all of the Art & Design students who took part. Thank you also to NES Limited, Milbank Concrete Products and Poplar Nurseries Ltd who donated materials, time and expertise to the project.”
The unveiling also marked the official opening of EHAAT’s newly extended and refurbished Earls Colne Airbase.
Cliff Gale, Operations Director said, “We are very pleased to officially mark the opening of our newly refurbished and extended airbase here at Earls Colne. The service has been based on the airfield since 2011 and, with the help of our remarkable supporters, we have been able to update and extend our hangar to create a first-class facility that will enable us to continue to provide an exceptional clinical service for those in need across the region well into the future. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to bring this project to fruition.”
