Bikers present cheque to Air Ambulance

The cheque was part of the proceeds from the Norsemen's fifth annual charity Poker Run; a further cheque for 750 was also presented to St Michaels Hospice.

The day commenced with the bikers meeting at their headquarters in St Leonards on Sea.

Then, with club president Dexter Martin leading the way, the bikers mounted gleaming bikes, trikes (and a car), and the Norseman set off, travelling en-mass to the home of the Sussex Air Ambulance, near Horsham, to present the cheque and meet the crew.

The Air Ambulance is a service that secretary Kevin Martin said bikers have great respect for:

"We (bikers) rely on them but we all hope we are never going to have to use them."

However, club member, Martin 'two toes' Humphrey, had first hand experience of the Air Ambulance after he was involved in an accident in 2006.

Martin said: " I went into the side of a car that was turning right and came off my bike. Luckily there was a doctor travelling in a car behind me, he gave me morphine as my toes were hanging off and my femur was sticking out of my leg. I passed out and he rang for the Air Ambulance."

Martin said he was "very lucky" to have had the expertise of both the doctor, who initially helped him, and the Air Ambulance crew who quickly arrived at the scene.

The accident left Martin minus two toes and he now has a metal pin in his femur, but he hasn't been put off motor cycling and was back on his bike within 6 months of the accident.

It costs 1.7 million a year to keep the Air Ambulance operational and Martin said he thinks it's a great charity to donate to:

"It's something that everyone should think about, anyone involved in an accident may have to use it one day."

On arrival at the Air Ambulance base at Dunsfold Park, the Norsemen were warmly greeted by fundraiser Bridget Pepper.

A tour of the premises, including a look round the Air Ambulance '“ which had already been out on two calls that day '“ followed, before the bikers proudly presented their cheque to Bridget, Doctor Karin Deer, Paramedic Adam, and pilot Peter Driver.

Bridget said: "We are so grateful to these guys and girls. We have to raise 1.7 million a year and an amount as big as 1,250 is a phenomenal help for us.

"They've also helped raise awareness throughout the county that we are a charity - something that a lot of people don't realise."

Travelling at 150 miles an hour, the Air Ambulance can reach the entire county in minutes, reaching a hospital in a fraction of the time that a land ambulance takes.

It receives no government or lottery funding and although that has some financial disadvantages it does mean it is not tied to any single NHS hospital.

Pilot Peter Driver said that is advantageous in a life or death situation:

"We can go to the nearest appropriate specialist centre, for example a burns or neurological unit. The Air Ambulance is a very quick and efficient way to get to the scene of an accident and move the patient away. We can get the patient to where they need to be in the 'golden hour' for life-saving."

For further information visit the website at: www.sussexairambulance.co.uk