Battle Abbey pupils support for air ambulance

The pupils were lucky to see the helicopter land as it returned from a lifesaving mission, flying a severely injured patient from Bognor Regis to the Royal London Trauma Centre.

The youngsters were astonished at the noise and the powerful downdraft generated by the helicopter as they watched it land from a safe distance.

The pupils had raised an amazing 3,500 by taking part in a swimathon held at Battle Abbey Swimming pool, with one pupil, James Young (age 11), swimming an incredible total of 186 lengths in just one and half hours.

Delaine Shearman, Sussex County Fundraiser, asked them why they chose to support the Sussex Air Ambulance and was told by one pupil that she swam really hard because her auntie was rescued by an Air Ambulance.

Another pupil described how his uncle had died in an accident and he wished that there had been an air ambulance to help him.

Delaine commented: "We are so grateful to all the pupils , parents and staff at the school for raising such a huge amount of money. Our yearly costs are 1.7 million and this massive boost to our funds will ensure that this life saving service is there for everyone across Sussex, should they need it."