They’re the team whose speediness allow seriously ill patients to be seen by doctors in minutes.
And now the work of the helideck crew from Leeds General Infirmary is being displayed in a new charity calendar.
Cash raised will go towards a fund to buy landing lights so helicopters can land at night.
The Leeds Helideck Heroes calendar shows photographs of the volunteers, who also star in the BBC series Helicopter Heroes, at work in all four seasons.
The crew, all workers in the facilities department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, are vital to ensure the Yorkshire Air Ambulance lands safely on the roof of the LGI.
They all have to undergo tough training as a firefighter to take on the role.
Next year’s calendar shows some of their training, as well as them at work during the worst of the snowy weather last winter.
Proceeds from sales of the calendar will go towards the Helideck Trust Fund to ensure more patients get lifesaving treatments as quickly as possible.
Steph Burland, fundraising co-ordinator at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation, said: “No matter how many air ambulances there are, without our helipad heroes they cannot bring in those in need of emergency medical attention.
“As winter sets in, the Helideck Fire Response Team have to ensure our helipad is safe for aircraft to land on.
“We had snowstorms last winter and they have to clear the deck of snow and keep it clear which is difficult if a blizzard sets in for the day.
“Profits from their 2013 calendar help towards ensuring patients have even greater access to lifesaving treatments in an emergency with the provision of additional equipment and facilities for the crew.”
The calendar costs £4.50 and to order, contact the Fundraising Department on 0113 3926803.
For more information on the fundraising, visit: www.leedshospitalsfundraising.org.uk or email: helipadfundraising@leedsth.nhs.uk
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