East Anglian Air Ambulance has announced today that volunteers have donated 12,500 hours of time in less than one year. At the start of Volunteers’ Week, one of those volunteers explains why
To mark Volunteers’ Week (2 – 8 June), East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has announced that volunteers have donated 12,500 hours of time between July 2024 and May 2025. The hours have a total value of over £168,0000 – the equivalent of almost 40 lifesaving taskings – and demonstrate the impact of volunteering on the charity, which provides 24/7 critical care across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
EAAA completely depends on a dedicated, diverse and flexible group of individuals who volunteer to support EAAA in delivering the life-saving service by dedicating their time and skills in many ways, including supporting fundraising events, delivering CPR training and giving talks in the community, to name just a few.
EAAA Head of Volunteering, Sarah Hurren, explains: “Volunteering is for everyone, and at EAAA we make it accessible to as many people as possible. It’s a wonderful achievement that, collectively, volunteers have given 12,500 hours of their time to EAAA since July 2024, and we are truly thankful to each and every person who donates their time and skills to the charity.”
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. Volunteering is a vital component of UK society, with millions contributing their time and skills annually across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. With 25 million people in the UK volunteering informally at least once last year (source: volunteersweek.org), there are more opportunities than ever for people to get involved.
“At EAAA, we recognise that volunteers are individuals with busy lives, and one size doesn’t fit all,” Sarah adds. “We listen, keep an ongoing dialogue and constantly strive to make it a satisfying, enjoyable and fun experience for each and every person who donates their time to us.”
Cheryl Lewis, from South Norfolk, has been a volunteer with EAAA for four years following a chance conversation with somebody who was already volunteering with EAAA. It inspired her and her husband to get involved. She has become passionate about the cause in the process and loves that the role offers her so much variety and flexibility.
“This flexibility is paramount,” Cheryl says. “I’m good at chatting with people and I’m at my happiest when I’m meeting others, supporting EAAA events and giving talks. It’s so rewarding and enjoyable. It’s enriched my life. When you volunteer with EAAA, you’re a person not a number. Everything you do, you are thanked for.”
Sarah Hurren adds: “The success of volunteering is that it works two ways. You can commit as little or as much as you wish, but we want you to feel that you’ve made a difference – because you are the difference.”
EAAA has opportunities for regular, occasional, one-off volunteers, and new micro-volunteering – short tasks which don’t necessary require any ongoing commitment, but ones which can still make a life-saving impact in the heart of the communities EAAA serves. For more information, visit: Volunteering – East Anglian Air Ambulance
Featured image of Cheryl Lewis supplied by EAAA
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