An emergency medical care service in Cumbria has launched a roadshow to raise awareness about its vital work.
Representatives from BEEP Doctors (BASICS) Cumbria will be at a series of markets and shows across the county to give people a deeper insight into the charity’s work and encouraging them to make donations.
Jo Blackburn, operations manager, said: “BEEP Doctors seem to be a little under the radar in terms of people knowing about them and what they do.
“It costs over £100,000 a year to keep our charity going and we rely solely on donations and fund-raising events but, following the COVID-19 pandemic, it is becoming increasingly harder to raise funds.
“We decided if people don’t know about us, they cannot give to us, but if people knew we existed and understood the crucial work our doctors do, then they would realise what an amazing worthwhile service we are.”
BEEP Doctors have specialist training in enhanced pre-hospital emergency care and provide an extra level of medical intervention not normally available until a patient reaches hospital. Cumbria’s team of 11 volunteer doctors are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
They can bring many of the facilities and skills of an A&E unit to the scene of an incident and work closely with North West Ambulance Service paramedics and the Great North Air Ambulance, often on the roadside at a road traffic accident or in a person’s home during a life-threatening emergency.
The roadshow comprises a branded Land Rover Defender, loaned by Lakeland Land Rover at Torver, which pulls a trailer, which can be sited in town centres and at shows across Cumbria.
The trailer and a gazebo are manned by a BEEP doctor and volunteers, who are ready to tell members of the public about the charity’s work and hand out promotional material.
The roadshow began on June 27 and has already visited Waterhead, Ambleside, Glenridding, Grange-over-Sands and Brockhole, near Windermere.
Dr Chris Moss, a BEEP Doctor and trustee of the charity, said: “In the first week we have raised more than £2,000, generated a huge amount of interest and, above all, had some wonderful conversations.
“It’s great to be out and about in the community we serve. One of the most special moments of the tour so far was speaking to a friend of someone Beep Doctors saved last year – that really makes the whole thing so worthwhile.”
Chair Dr Theo Weston MBE said: “The roadshow is a first for BEEP Doctors and is a huge leap forward in terms of our profile. It’s a brilliant way first and foremost to spread the word about the charity as well as being a great opportunity to alert people to this year’s raffle and other fundraising activities.”
The roadshow will be at the following venues:
- July 14: Ulverston Market
- July 16: Penrith Show
- July 17: Rotary Club of West Lakeland Show
- July 30: Cockermouth Show
- August 26: Whitehaven Traders Market
- September 7 and 8: Westmorland County Show
