Blue Bell Hotel music nights boost vital air rescue service
Sep 14 2010 The Journal
GENEROUS staff at a Northumberland hotel have covered the costs of all air ambulance rescues in their area so far this year.
The Blue Bell Hotel, in Belford, has been hosting regular nights of folk music and traditional songs and has so far pulled in £6,000.
The money is enough to pay for the three rescues in the coastal area of the county – North of Morpeth – which the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has been called out to in 2010.
The charity has praised the efforts of the Blue Bell, where employees felt inspired to start fundraising after the rescues of 11-year-old George Brewis and two-year-old William Morris.
Each call-out costs the GNAAS about £2,000, although the charity receives no government funding and is entirely reliant on public donations.
A spokeswoman for the service said: “We are extremely grateful to all of the families across the region, who support us with donations and fundraising.
“There have been three occasions when we have been called out to area between Belford and Morpeth this year, to either save a life, or ease a patient’s pain.
“It is a rare, and happy coincidence when the fundraising of one of our supporters can be seen to have helped casualties local to them.
“We can’t thank the staff at the Blue Bell enough for their support, and we would urge as many people as possible to go and enjoy the music at the venue and help with the fundraising at the same time.”
Farmer’s son George Brewis had his ear severed when he was catapulted against the wall of a pen by a cow.
The air ambulance landed at Belford cricket club then airlifted the youngster to Newcastle General Hospital where medics were able to save his ear.
Toddler William Morris, pictured, of Throphill, Morpeth, was also flown to Newcastle General after he was knocked out by a fall in the play park at Wallington Hall and Gardens, which fractured his skull.
The next fundraising night being held at the Blue Bell Hotel, is on Thursday from 7.30pm, with popular concertina player Alistair Anderson. Tickets for the evening, which includes a light buffet, are £8 and are available by calling 01668 213543.
