A Norfolk woman who suffered a life-threatening medical emergency earlier this year, is sharing her story to raise awareness of the charity which helped to save her life. Ruth Baron, age 53, who lives near Downham Market in Norfolk, was attended by East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) when she suffered a cardiac arrest at home in February.
“I’m emotional just thinking about Christmas,” Ruth says. “There will be tears, but good tears because I am still here.”
Ruth’s daughter, Jennifer, age 35, performed 18 minutes of CPR on her mum while the emergency services, including EAAA, were tasked. As a result, Ruth and her family will be enjoying this festive season together.
EAAA is a charity which provides 24/7 life-saving critical care by air and road across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk to the most seriously ill and injured people in the region. EAAA’s Anglia One (Norwich) crew were tasked by helicopter to bring advanced skills, equipment, and medication to Ruth in the fastest time possible. In a rural location, the crew provided enhanced care at the scene, including anaesthetising and putting Ruth into a medically induced coma to control her breathing and allow her brain and body to rest.
In a moving new Christmas campaign video, titled ‘We only go with you,’ a young boy’s thoughtful donation to East Anglian Air Ambulance reflects the essential role that public support plays in keeping the charity’s service running. The video follows his journey as he clicks the ‘donate’ button, a gesture that immediately sets the EAAA team into motion— the call for urgent life-saving care gets answered, the rotors on the helicopter begin to turn, and the crew spring into action, ready to respond to those in need. This simple yet impactful donation represents how community support fuels EAAA’s life-saving service across East Anglia.
In December 2023 alone, EAAA crews provided treatment and care to 157 people whose lives were suddenly turned upside down by serious injuries or medical emergencies. Through this campaign, EAAA captures the spirit of giving and demonstrates the direct link between each donation and real-world outcomes, hoping to inspire others to give the gift of hope and help this Christmas.
Ruth is now recovering well at home after spending over two months in hospital and is looking forward to the festive season ahead. She says, “Before my incident, I was already a supporter of East Anglian Air Ambulance as I had previously joined their lottery. Three years later, I needed them.”
She continues, “I am now one of the 8% who survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. My Dad cried when he heard that statistic. That’s why Christmas this year will be emotional for our family. It’s unbelievable to have come from where I was in February to be where I am now.”
Matthew Jones, EAAA CEO, says, “The remarkable support from the public continues to have a life-saving impact across our entire region. Our 2024 Christmas campaign, ‘We only go with you’, highlights that it is the generosity of people in our community that gives local people the very best possible chance of survival and recovery against the very worst odds, just like Ruth.”
Ruth adds, “To the people who donate £5, £10 or whatever they can afford, thank you; you know it is going towards saving lives – and I am grateful you were there for me.”
Donations to EAAA have a direct impact on saving lives across our region. See how your support makes a difference – watch EAAA’s ‘We only go with you’ video here: Christmas – East Anglian Air Ambulance
