After being airlifted following taking ill at work, Lesley Arnott decided to fundraise for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and was blown away by the phenomenal five-figure sum raised for the charity.
“When I heard that SCAA was entirely funded by the public, and that the average call out costs the charity around £4,500, I wanted to raise enough to cover my mission,” Lesley, 53, explains.
“But I was shocked by the level of support by the surrounding community.”
Lesley required SCAA’s assistance when while at work in a remote area of Strichen, Aberdeenshire, Lesley was getting ready to leave when she was suddenly gripped by a seizure.
Her colleagues found her and quickly called for medical help. A land ambulance was on the scene shortly before SCAA’s helicopter landed close by.
Meanwhile, Lesley’s seizures began to subside, though the mother-of-two remained confused and incoherent.
“I was struggling to answer questions,” she recalls. “I do remember seeing red uniforms walking towards me though.
“I’d never had a seizure before, but I suddenly had no recollection of time.”
SCAA’s Helimed 79 crew assessed Lesley before transferring her into the aircraft. She was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in 15 minutes and taken straight into A&E.
10 days later, an MRI scan detected a brain abscess.
“I had it operated on and drained twice,” says Lesley.
15-months later and Lesley has her life back on track.
“I now have my driving license and feel back to normal,” she reflects. “I feel like SCAA was the start of my story, and the beginning of getting the help I clearly needed.”
In efforts to support the charity, Lesley held a series of fundraising events over a six-month period including a coffee morning and soup & sweet, culminating in a Bridgerton themed Ladies Day on the anniversary of her seizure.
Lesley, alongside her two daughters, husband, family and friends, managed to raise an incredible £16,262 in total for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
“We received such strong support from the local community,” she points out. “My husband is a farmer, and we live in a farming community, so many people in the area understand how important the air ambulance service is.
“I’m very thankful for the crew who helped me when I had my seizure, and my family were so relieved to know I was getting the care I needed. It was great being able to visit them at the SCAA Aberdeen base and hand over the cheque.
“It’s unbelievable what SCAA does…I’d like to continue to fundraise over time.”
