National Volunteers’ Week 2022
Ian Thomas

Volunteering at EHAAT –  Ian Thomas

My name is Ian and I became a volunteer at EHAAT in 2017 after their HEMS attended a friend who had suffered a heart attack. Sometime afterwards the EHAAT HEMS also attended my mother who had collapsed in the street. 

 Being a volunteer at EHAAT is very enjoyable and fulfilling. Now I am retired I have been able to volunteer for several roles and this has enabled me to appreciate the teamwork involving everyone at EHAAT, which ensures that we keep flying. To be part of an organisation where everyone works so well together in the EHAAT “family” to achieve our aims is a privilege. 

 I have recently been involved, as part of a team, in finalising the content and operation of our North Weald visitor centre to enable us to again welcome guests to the airbase and for them to learn about the HEMS operation. It was a challenge to be involved in setting up the technology within the visitor centre, but we got there in the end! I am also a visitor centre tour host, giving tours to our guests. 

 I was delighted to also be asked to meet the Earl and Countess of Wessex during their visit to the North Weald airbase in March this year. During their visit they were welcomed to the visitor centre where they met patients who HEMS had attended and their families. 

 Another role I am involved in as a volunteer is as part of the North Weald reception team. The team welcomes visitors to the airbase, receives deliveries and assists the office teams where needed. The charity is always looking for more volunteers to join the team and I look forward to meeting anyone who decides to give it a go!