Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) have paid tribute to the family of Lloyd Fouracre and the Western Gazette newspaper during a ceremony at its Henstridge airbase today.
The ceremony formed part of the official launch of a high-tech moving map system which is now fully functional on the Charity’s helicopter.
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is the first and only Air Ambulance in the UK to be using this particular system, which combines the key elements of both aviation and road GPS systems to drastically reduce the amount of time spent handling charts in the cockpit, allowing both the pilot and navigator to concentrate on the job in hand.
The moving map was installed on the helicopter in October 2010. Since then, the Charity and Bond Air Services have worked with the manufacturer, to optimise the system for an Air Ambulance role.
“The moving map greatly enhances the crew’s situational awareness,” explained Phil Merrit, DSAA and Bond Air Services pilot.
“By quickly glancing at the moving map we are able to confirm our position and, especially in poor weather, use it to find the lowest ground along a route to reach a casualty swiftly and safely.”
The Airbox Moving Map was procured as a result of fund-raising campaigns by the Fouracre family from Taunton and the Western Gazette newspaper.
In 2005, Lloyd Fouracre was tragically killed, just one day before his 18th birthday. Those that knew him will remember his fondness for the air cadets and his ambition to fly helicopters.
Helen Fouracre, Lloyd’s mother said: “One thing you never think you will be giving any thought to, is what to do with donations made at your youngest son’s funeral. Whilst pondering this very question, we quickly realised that in view of Lloyd’s favourite activities, it had to be the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
“I would like to thank all the people who raised money in Lloyd’s memory. This marvellous piece of equipment will make a huge difference to so many others and I know that Lloyd would approve.
“I would also like to say how proud we are of Lloyd’s brother Adam, who has worked tirelessly on his own charity, www.sav-ed.co.uk, which he formed after Lloyd’s death to educate young people against violence.”
The Western Gazette’s campaign, to generate funds for the moving map system was a huge success. Readers of the newspaper donated thousands of pounds to the cause after reading a multitude of real-life stories from those that had been saved by the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
Lynne Fernquest, Editor of the Western Gazette attended the ceremony and said: “Western Gazette readers are known for their generosity and I am so very proud that they took this cause to their hearts.
“The grief that the Fouracre family felt after the loss of Lloyd is impossible to comprehend. However, driven by the passion of their eldest son Adam, the family channelled positive energy into raising money for a charity close to Lloyd’s heart.
“The culmination of that hard work will undoubtedly save many lives and will be a lasting legacy.
“I was honoured to stand alongside the Fouracre family and their friends today and witness what people united in a common aim can achieve – even in the most painful of circumstances.”
During the ceremony, two plaques were unveiled which will be on permanent display at the airbase.
Bill Sivewright, Chief Executive Officer of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said: “The success of this combined effort shows the power that individuals and the media have, when they get behind causes they believe in and how that can be harnessed to great effect.
“I am conscious that this project has taken a long time to complete, but we now have a system which we are very pleased with and know that it will help us to continue our life-saving mission.
“A project such as this could never make up for the tragic loss of Lloyd but I hope that the potential it holds to benefit others will provide a degree of comfort to the Fouracre family and gives a sense of achievement to the readers of the Western Gazette.”
Paul Westaway from Bond Air Services concluded: “Our thanks go to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for their commitment to this project. Bond Air Services is delighted to announce that in the next few weeks the Airbox Moving Map will be installed in the two Scottish Air Ambulances, with additional aircraft to follow.”
Our thanks go to Laura Jones from the Western Gazette for providing some of the pictures shown.
