FIFTEEN children are treated every month by the air ambulance, according to latest figures.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance treated 181 patients under the age of 18 last year.
Of these, 82 were under five-years-old.
Matt Hale, critical care paramedic for the charity, said: “The point we meet a child is a pivotal moment, it could go one way or the other.
“It is an extra challenge because you essentially have two people to care for: the child and the parent.
Critical care paramedic Matt Hale. Picture: Mark Lord Photography
“Everything we do for our young patients is thanks to the amazing support from our community.
“Their donations mean we can always remain fully equipped to provide top-quality paediatric care.”
Ten-year-old Gyaan saw first hand the difference that hospital level care can make, when Thames Valley Air Ambulance treated his seven-year-old sister, Jiya, after a horse riding accident left her with a severe fracture to her right arm.
Gyaan and his sister Jiya. Picture provided by Thames Valley Air Ambulance
He said: “The crew who helped my sister were so skilful and brilliant.
“Not only did they give her the best possible care at the scene, but they even told her funny jokes to take her mind off the pain.
“We never know when we might need them. I certainly did not expect to, but I’m forever grateful that they saved my sister.”
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