Air ambulance team arrives at West Norfolk School

Pupils at a West Norfolk school were delighted when members of the air ambulance team arrived in their playground - but for a very good reason, not an emergency.

Children who were in Year 4 from 2023 to 2024 at Clenchwarton Primary School, a member of West Norfolk Academies Trust, were presented with their East Anglian Air Ambulance Challenge badges and certificates to mark their hard work in raising money and learning skills which could help in an emergency.

The challenge is divided into five sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the charity; helicopters, charity, first aid, accident prevention and fundraising.

“They created helicopter models, posters, crosswords and various other fun and educational activities including a cake sale which raised over £250,” said class teacher Michelle Ryan.

“They had to complete tasks every fortnight to earn their Challenge badges and the current Year 4 class has now started tasks to complete their Challenge badge and hope to have it completed by July,” she added.

The Challenge badge scheme is aimed at young people in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire aged between ten and 14, who also learn vital CPR skills, including using a defibrillator, which could save a life.

“Every year approximately 12,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest in the East of England. Only about 40 per cent of those receive any form of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before the arrival of the emergency services,” says the air ambulance service.

The EAAA provides 24-hour care seven days a week and has a helicopter based in Norwich and another in Cambridge. It is a charity and relies almost entirely  on public donations and community support.