Air Ambulance Service
Discussion
There is no discouraging at all from my point of view, just a strongly held opinion that if this is being endorsed by Pistonheads then it should be given a wider appeal rather than focusing it's giving to one geographic area, Richard Hammond does not after all come from Yorkshire, Top Gear is not normally filmed in Yorkshire, and it could just have easily been any other Air Ambulance Trust that was required to come to his aid. In no way am I knocking what Yorkshire Air Ambulance Trust do, need, or achieve but stating that as a group we should be spreading the good we can give around a bit more.
Pistonheads has always had Cancer Research as an adopted charity since the first BT&P the reason being and the reason it worked so well is that cancer as a disease has touched just about all of us in some way or another. There is a strong and valid arguement that says the Air Ambulance has the same, if not greater appeal as they are focused on coming to the rescue of accident victims be they automotive or other. I certainly would not voice an objection in any way if the Air Ambulance Service were to become the "official" PH charity and i can indeed see the appeal, but it's wrong and far to focused to concentrate purely on Yorkshire. PH as a site is global all be it with a hardcore UK focus any officially endorsed charity should reflect that IMO.
Pistonheads has always had Cancer Research as an adopted charity since the first BT&P the reason being and the reason it worked so well is that cancer as a disease has touched just about all of us in some way or another. There is a strong and valid arguement that says the Air Ambulance has the same, if not greater appeal as they are focused on coming to the rescue of accident victims be they automotive or other. I certainly would not voice an objection in any way if the Air Ambulance Service were to become the "official" PH charity and i can indeed see the appeal, but it's wrong and far to focused to concentrate purely on Yorkshire. PH as a site is global all be it with a hardcore UK focus any officially endorsed charity should reflect that IMO.
I don't think any charity is missing out. I suspect that most of the money donated today would not have gone to any charity had RH not had the accident. Not to say that PHers aren't a generous, giving bunch, but this event will have prompted many to donate when otherwise they wouldn't have.
I know I'm in that group.
I know I'm in that group.
Is there a central repository for the varous air ambulances? If not, it's difficult to distribute money except by personal preference. But I take Mel's point - it's largely coincidence that Yorkshire Air Ambulance will benefit, rather than anywhere else, or even Leeds General Infirmary Neurology unit. Still, any charity is better than none at all.
nubbin said:
Is there a central repository for the varous air ambulances?
Not too sure but I think it needs some research, all I could find was The Air Ambulance Foundation which collectd monies on behalf of all the trusts but alas appears to have been dispanded some time in 2004 ironically maybe due to lack of funding!
mel said:
There is no discouraging at all from my point of view, just a strongly held opinion that if this is being endorsed by Pistonheads then it should be given a wider appeal rather than focusing it's giving to one geographic area, Richard Hammond does not after all come from Yorkshire, Top Gear is not normally filmed in Yorkshire, and it could just have easily been any other Air Ambulance Trust that was required to come to his aid. In no way am I knocking what Yorkshire Air Ambulance Trust do, need, or achieve but stating that as a group we should be spreading the good we can give around a bit more.
Pistonheads has always had Cancer Research as an adopted charity since the first BT&P the reason being and the reason it worked so well is that cancer as a disease has touched just about all of us in some way or another. There is a strong and valid arguement that says the Air Ambulance has the same, if not greater appeal as they are focused on coming to the rescue of accident victims be they automotive or other. I certainly would not voice an objection in any way if the Air Ambulance Service were to become the "official" PH charity and i can indeed see the appeal, but it's wrong and far to focused to concentrate purely on Yorkshire. PH as a site is global all be it with a hardcore UK focus any officially endorsed charity should reflect that IMO.
Pistonheads has always had Cancer Research as an adopted charity since the first BT&P the reason being and the reason it worked so well is that cancer as a disease has touched just about all of us in some way or another. There is a strong and valid arguement that says the Air Ambulance has the same, if not greater appeal as they are focused on coming to the rescue of accident victims be they automotive or other. I certainly would not voice an objection in any way if the Air Ambulance Service were to become the "official" PH charity and i can indeed see the appeal, but it's wrong and far to focused to concentrate purely on Yorkshire. PH as a site is global all be it with a hardcore UK focus any officially endorsed charity should reflect that IMO.
This is ridiculous, spread the donation between all Air Ambulances, how many are there exactly? If this was to happen each service would probably end up with a hundred quid at the most.
And what if someone would prefer to donate to a completely different charity? you can't expect everyones choice of charity to be catered for, this one was chosen for their role in helping Richard Hammond. As I said in the other thread, if he hadn't been involved in an accident then no one would be donating anything today.
What I do think is rather disgusting though was this:
mel said:
From a purely selfish point of a view I am far far more likely to require the assistance of the Kent Air Ambulance than the Yorkshire one and as such would rather they had any of my charitable donation.
Do you only ever donate to charities you feel may benefit yourself at some point in the future?
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 21st September 12:10
I am astonished by some of the comments on this thread. How quick people are to criticise when they think something could be done better.
The fact is that if RH had not had his crash last night we wouldn't even be having this discussion and the money being pledged would, in all probability, have stayed in pockets.
But the appeal was setup as a reactive gesture to the event. I share the view of an earlier commentator - and find it quite repulsive that someone would only donate to a charity if they thought that they might get something in return.
I am just about to make a donation and sincerely hope that I, nor anyone I know, has the need to ever use the services of any Air Ambulance.
The fact is that if RH had not had his crash last night we wouldn't even be having this discussion and the money being pledged would, in all probability, have stayed in pockets.
But the appeal was setup as a reactive gesture to the event. I share the view of an earlier commentator - and find it quite repulsive that someone would only donate to a charity if they thought that they might get something in return.
I am just about to make a donation and sincerely hope that I, nor anyone I know, has the need to ever use the services of any Air Ambulance.
Oakey said:
What I do think is rather disgusting though was this:
Do you only ever donate to charities you feel may benefit yourself at some point in the future?
mel said:
From a purely selfish point of a view I am far far more likely to require the assistance of the Kent Air Ambulance than the Yorkshire one and as such would rather they had any of my charitable donation.
Do you only ever donate to charities you feel may benefit yourself at some point in the future?
Oh get over it, that is not how it was meant to come over an you know it! Stop being pedantic.
Research Mel, and what he has done for charity, try last years BTaP forum pages, see how much he raised, then start throwing stones at him!
ali_kat said:
Oakey said:
What I do think is rather disgusting though was this:
Do you only ever donate to charities you feel may benefit yourself at some point in the future?
mel said:
From a purely selfish point of a view I am far far more likely to require the assistance of the Kent Air Ambulance than the Yorkshire one and as such would rather they had any of my charitable donation.
Do you only ever donate to charities you feel may benefit yourself at some point in the future?
Oh get over it, that is not how it was meant to come over an you know it! Stop being pedantic.
Research Mel, and what he has done for charity, try last years BTaP forum pages, see how much he raised, then start throwing stones at him!
No, I don't know it at all, seeing as mel said himself from a selfish point of view he'd prefer the money had gone to Kent Air Ambulance
Oakey said:
[quote=ali_kat][quote=Oakey]
[quote=mel]
No, I don't know it at all, seeing as mel said himself from a selfish point of view he'd prefer the money had gone to Kent Air Ambulance
With the example mel raises, he states that there is not only one air ambulance that could save lives. I understand that when the donations are distributed between the air ambulances, a bigger area is covered and thus more people can be rescued with air ambulances.[quote=mel]
No, I don't know it at all, seeing as mel said himself from a selfish point of view he'd prefer the money had gone to Kent Air Ambulance
Oakey said:
What I do think is rather disgusting though was this:
mel said:
From a purely selfish point of a view I am far far more likely to require the assistance of the Kent Air Ambulance than the Yorkshire one and as such would rather they had any of my charitable donation.
Do you only ever donate to charities you feel may benefit yourself at some point in the future?
Actually yes either that or ones that I feel are particulary worthwhile or relevant to my own personal beliefs or are working towards helping those that I love, have cared about, or know. Why what would your criteria be? I can say that with a clear conscience because I do make an effort and I do give. But giving and working for any charity is ultimately about self gratification, it is deeply personal and deeply satifying and can come to the front as the oddest of times, in my case and as far as Kent's Air Ambulance is concerned that could come on a sunny sunday afternoon sat in the garden when it flys over head by knowing personally that I've helped pay for that, equally that feeling could come when I'm stuck in traffic on the A1 and I see Yorkshires helecopter land ahead or in a field, it's just that I'm more likely to see or need Kent's one, but they are equally important and that is my point.
You have twisted what I said beyond belief and oddly enough the only Air Ambulance I have ever come close to using personally was Yorkshires but that is besides the point, at no time have I said what is being done is not worthwhile, not done with the best of intentions or wrong, quite the opposite infact. What I was doing was stating that I believed the benficiaries should be wider (but still Air Ambulances) as is appropriate to Pistonheads demographics, Not knocking Yorkshire in any way, but stating that all the Air Ambulance Trusts should be treated equally (and there are less than 20 nationwide).
It is a fact that today due to the huge media reporting surrounding last nights accident Yorkshire Air Ambulance will and has received a considerable cash injection, that is fine but I state again they are not the only ones doing the job and needing the money.
As an example not so many years ago Kent's Air Ambulance tragically crashed destroying the aircraft and sadly killing all three of the crew, this was a truely tragic event in every sense but the impact it had on the public as a whole was massive resulting in a huge up surge in donations, so much so that Kent is currently one of the best funded services in the country with a new helecopter and a spare in the hanger and yet neighbouring counties continue to struggle. My point entirely is that tragedy hi lights these charities needs, tragedy that could effect any of them but the great out pooring of public giving that follows is often too focused and singular.
Anyway I've made my point voiced my opinion and as such will now move on without detracting any more from the fact that Richard Hammond is still gravely ill, our thoughts are with him and his family and our gratitude with all those that have and are caring for him.
Woooooahhh there.
Blimey, nip out for the morning and all sorts is being suggested on behalf of PH.
This is an awful event, and my sympathies go out to the Hammond and his family.
PH raises money for charity at BTaP as Mel has said, and it's always been policy to support Cancer Research for the reasons stated.
I don't think it's uncharitable to say that PH as an organisation/website/business/whatever isn't coordinating any collection in this case. If readers of the site get together and organise something then that's absolutely fine - all I ask is that people contact me before telling anyone (particularly media organisations) that "PistonHeads is organising..." etc.
Thanks for your understanding.
Blimey, nip out for the morning and all sorts is being suggested on behalf of PH.
This is an awful event, and my sympathies go out to the Hammond and his family.
PH raises money for charity at BTaP as Mel has said, and it's always been policy to support Cancer Research for the reasons stated.
I don't think it's uncharitable to say that PH as an organisation/website/business/whatever isn't coordinating any collection in this case. If readers of the site get together and organise something then that's absolutely fine - all I ask is that people contact me before telling anyone (particularly media organisations) that "PistonHeads is organising..." etc.
Thanks for your understanding.
mel said:
As an example not so many years ago Kent's Air Ambulance tragically crashed destroying the aircraft and sadly killing all three of the crew, this was a truely tragic event in every sense but the impact it had on the public as a whole was massive resulting in a huge up surge in donations, so much so that Kent is currently one of the best funded services in the country with a new helecopter and a spare in the hanger.
At the moment, Yorkshire is using a 15 year old Belkow 106 and urgently needs to raise the money for a new chopper both to lower its maintainance costs and ensure the safety of the flight crew.
As your example shows, it's often tragedies which bring out the best in people with a stake in the area, and I'm certain the lions share of the money will have come from the local area.
Spare chopper in the hangar!
The generosity thing is a fickle beast and often it just takes on a life of it's own when a specific event occurs. The idea to donate to this individual air ambulance service just arose spontaneously late last night as an alternative to buying flowers which the hospital won't have on the ward anyway, and was immediately endorsed by a lot of posters to the thread, and that's why we went with it. This time it seems, it's Yorkshires turn.
Petrol Ted said:
If readers of the site get together and organise something then that's absolutely fine - all I ask is that people contact me before telling anyone (particularly media organisations) that "PistonHeads is organising..." etc.
Ted, sorry if I got over excited and overstepped the mark by emailing the top gear website with a link to our collection. I did phrase it as "The petrolheads on Pistonheads" as a way of indicating that it was the PH massive which had organised it and that it wasn't being done 'in the name of pistonheads.com'. All the same, I realise now how it could impact you and the good name of the site so rest assured I'll ask first in future. It's just that sometimes the PH massive want to make things move fast 'cos speed matters.
Oakey said:
No, I don't know it at all, seeing as mel said himself from a selfish point of view he'd prefer the money had gone to Kent Air Ambulance
Perhaps, with hindsight, it may have been better for everyone to contribute to their particular air ambulance. But this was the finest of things, an outpouring of selfless generosity without thought.....and therefor without a great deal of planning.
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