VIDEO: Children in awe as air ambulance pays a visit
Children at a Chichester primary school went absolutely potty when a Sussex Air Ambulance helicopter dropped by for a visit.
The air ambulance crew floated in above all teachers and pupils at Jessie Younghusband Primary School who were standing in the playground and watching in awe.
The children at the school, based at Woodlands Lane, were only told about the helicopter visit the day before.
The visit was a prize from a draw the school entered, where it won a 'Funky Footwear' competition as part of Sussex Air Ambulance week at the end of September last year.
Delaine Shearman, county fundraiser for Sussex Air Ambulance said: "It moved me to tears because the children were so excited.
"I have never heard such a shriek and even the crew said they could hear it from inside the helicopter, which is fantastic."
Headteacher Sue Patrick: "It was lovely to see the children's reactions. They were so excited about it, and to actually have it land on our field was great.
"We will most definitely be entering the same competition next year."
The weather just about held out for the air ambulance crew when it arrived on the school's playing field on March 27.
Mrs Patrick told pupils to raise one arm when they could first hear the helicopter, then raise two arms when it got closer and clap when they could actually see it. The end result was several minutes of thunderous applause and cheers.
The helicopter finally landed on the school playing field and the air ambulance crew introduced themselves to the children.
They were pilot Steve Wood, doctor Fred Van Damme, nurse Rob Wilkinson and paramedic Gary Wareham.
The air ambulance service costs 1.6 million per annum, to provide an emergency helicopter to the people of Sussex.
With no government, National Lottery or NHS support, the life-saving service is entirely dependant upon the community, particularly groups, clubs, organisations and individuals who fundraise on behalf of the Sussex Air Ambulance.
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Weather for Chichester
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
