Start made on Devon Air Ambulance base at Eaglescott
A turf cutting ceremony has taken place to mark the start of a project to build a North Devon base for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust at Eaglescott airfield, Umberleigh. Exeter building firm Rok has been appointed to do the work and a representative joine
A turf cutting ceremony has taken place to mark the start of a project to build a North Devon base for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust at Eaglescott airfield, Umberleigh.
Exeter building firm Rok has been appointed to do the work and a representative joined the air ambulance duty crew to watch trustee Jack Lomas cut the first turf.
Barry Pearson, who owns Eaglescott, has granted a long lease to the air ambulance trust for its North Devon headquarters.
Trust chief executive Helena Holt said: "It's an ideal location for the service because, with the other aircraft based in Exeter, it ensures that whatever helicopter attends a patient, 50 per cent of Devon can be reached within five minutes and the remainder within 20 minutes. That's very reassuring.
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"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Rok and very much look forward to seeing the airbase develop over the next few months.
"Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous donation of a long lease on the land by Barry Pearson."
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Building supply company Burdens has pledged to give best value for money in the supply of materials.
"Gifts in kind and reduced priced goods like this really do make a great deal of difference," Helena Holt said.
"The less we pay for items, the more money goes straight into the fund to keep both helicopters airborne."
Nigel Whelan, commercial team leader of Rok, said: "We are delighted to be involved in creating a permanent home for the Devon Air Ambulance at Eaglescott..
"It is an opportunity to create a landmark hangar and accommodation block for the future of the service in the area.
