Eddie's Story

After two years on the waiting list, Eddie finally received the call he had been holding out for. A set of suitable lungs were available.

He had half an hour to organise himself before an ambulance transferred him to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

From there, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance would be ready to fly Eddie to his life-saving surgery at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

“27 years ago, I was diagnosed with a condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD),” Eddie, 64, explains.

“This led onto COPD [a progressive lung disease that causes severe breathing difficulties] and a number of other health issues.

“I was very relieved when I found out I would be transferred by air ambulance. A few days prior I had been blue-lighted all the way down to Newcastle, and when I arrived, I was informed the lungs were no longer suitable. So, to know that I would save hours of travelling time and get there as quick as possible was really reassuring.”

Edie, who is based in Brechin, was flown by SCAA’s Helimed 76 crew from Ninewells direct to Newcastle in just 50 minutes, saving a four-hour long journey by road.

“The crew were brilliant,” Eddie highlights, “they made me feel instantly at ease the entire time. It actually helped to take my mind off what I was about to face.

“They communicated with me and made sure I was comfortable throughout the flight.”

The SCAA pilot was able to land the aircraft in a local football pitch beside the hospital.

After landing and arriving at hospital, Eddie admits he has little memory of what happened next.

In this time, Eddie was told he would be able to receive the double lung transplant he desperately needed. His family arrived and Eddie underwent the nine-hour surgery. He awoke three days later and returned home after around five weeks.

“I spoke with my consultant a few months after my transplant, as he was able to examine my old lungs,” Eddie reflects. “He said they were to the extreme and had stretched so far…I think I only had months left to live.”

Eddie admits the transplant has “made the world of difference”. He can now climb his stairs without struggling to breathe and has taken up a part-time job.

Almost a year to the day of his life-saving surgery, Eddie and his family organised a charity walk in aid of SCAA.

“My daughter and I used to go out on an early morning walk to help with my rehab,” says Eddie. “She suggested we do a sponsored walk for SCAA, it then just grew arms and legs – the response has been amazing.”

161 walkers took part in the 10k walk around the Brechin area and together have raised over £16k for the charity that helped Eddie get to his life-saving operation in the quickest time possible.

“Our initial fundraising target was £1,000,” Eddie’s daughter Jenna points out. “We’ve been blown away by the level of support. It just shows when you need something that the community here pulls together. We’ve had cheques from lots of different places where the air ambulance means a lot to them.

“It was an amazing atmosphere from start to finish. The walk started at 11am with dad leading it, and at the local bowling club we hosted a tombola, raffle, face painting, a BBQ, and there was the SCAA mascot warm up. We also got some big donations of vouchers that we auctioned. After that we had a disco and karaoke at night which finished at 11.30pm.

“Our main goal was to do something that would make a difference to a charity that needed it. SCAA do such an amazing job, and we couldn’t think of anyone better to do it for than those who helped dad.”