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Freddie Flintoff Backs Campaign for More Hospitals to Get Helipads

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Former international cricketer Freddie Flintoff has shared his life-saving experience of medical air support following a car crash while filming at a Top Gear test track. Flintoff was airlifted to St George's Hospital, a major trauma centre, after sustaining severe injuries in December 2022. The hospital's helipad was funded by the Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads (Help) Appeal, a charity working to provide rapid access to emergency care for everyone, everywhere. Flintoff's backing of the campaign aims to highlight the importance of having helipads in every hospital that needs one, emphasizing that "seconds count in a medical emergency."

Key Takeaways:

  • Freddie Flintoff was airlifted to St George's Hospital in December 2022 after sustaining severe injuries in a car crash while filming at a Top Gear test track.
  • The hospital's helipad was funded by the Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads (Help) Appeal, a charity that aims to provide rapid access to emergency care for everyone, everywhere.
  • Flintoff's experience highlights the importance of having helipads in every hospital that needs one, emphasizing that "seconds count in a medical emergency."
  • The Help Appeal has funded 30,000 landings on the 32 NHS hospital helipads across the country and 23 major upgrades at other hospital helipads.
  • The charity is aiming to fund 40 new and upgraded helipads to provide rapid access to emergency care for everyone, everywhere.
  • Flintoff recently visited the NHS staff who cared for him at St George's Hospital and praised them as "superheroes" for their expertise, love, and compassion.
  • The Help Appeal's work is vital in providing rapid access to emergency care, with Flintoff's story highlighting exactly why their work is so important.

Statistics:

  • 30,000: Landings on the 32 NHS hospital helipads funded by the charity across the country.
  • 23: Major upgrades at other hospital helipads funded by the Help Appeal.
  • 40: New and upgraded helipads the charity aims to fund to provide rapid access to emergency care.
  • 47: The age of Freddie Flintoff at the time of the car crash.

Sources:

  • Help Appeal
  • BBC show Top Gear
  • St George's Hospital

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