Over 100 people helped to mark a momentous year for a team of volunteer doctors who carry out life-saving work in Cumbria.
A special event hosted by Beep Doctors (BASICS Cumbria) and the Great North Air Ambulance Service at the North Lakes Hotel & Spa in Penrith also celebrated the last 20 years of service to the Great North Air Ambulance by the BEEP Doctors chairman Dr Theo Weston, as he prepares to stand down from the air ambulance service at the end of this month.
Dr Weston said: “It has been an amazing year, the highlight of which was being awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.”
He said the team had, among other things, attended several local shows this year to raise awareness of its work and members also completed a 260-mile sponsored ride around Cumbria to raise funds.
BEEP Doctors have three emergency response vehicles based in the west and the south of Cumbria and Dr Weston said there were plans in 2024 – which will be the 30th anniversary of the team – for a fourth, to serve the north of the county.
Dr Weston thanked the group’s sponsors, including the Sellafield Ltd SIX programme which had given funding this year for equipment for the emergency response cars.
Dr Weston said the team’s doctors had attended nearly 300 incidents so far in 2023.
The evening was a double celebration as the Beep Doctors and the Great North Air Ambulance Service teamed up to organise a surprise This is Your Life-style show to mark Dr Weston’s imminent retirement after 20 years as an air ambulance doctor.
The presentation, which included music and video, focused on how Dr Weston, who lives near Penrith, had dedicated his career and a huge amount of his spare time to helping people and saving lives, including spending many years as a member of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
Lee Salmon, head of operations for the Great North Air Ambulance in Cumbria, paid tribute to Dr Weston. He said: “He is a remarkable individual whose life’s work has left an indelible impression on the world.”
He told Dr Weston: “There are many families – husbands, wives, parents and children – all have had more time due to your dedication.”
Dr John Ferris, a fellow Beep and air ambulance doctor, described Dr Weston as a local legend and a true gentleman, one of life’s good guys.
Television presenter Helen Skelton also sent her congratulations via a pre-recorded video link.
And there was a special tribute from Kacper Krauze, 18, of Appleby, who was pulled from the River Eden after nearly drowning in 2019.
Dr Weston, responding for Beep Doctors, was one of those who was called to the scene along with the Great North Air Ambulance Service, which continued his treatments as he was flown to the RVI in Newcastle.
Kacper told the gathering: “Thank you Dr Weston for saving my life and not giving up on my life. I would not be here without you.”
Dr Weston thanked the organisers for putting together ‘an utterly amazing send-off’. He thanked the air ambulance for allowing him to work for the charity for the last 20 years and for all the learning and experiences this had given him.
He stated that throughout this time, he had witnessed the air ambulance evolving into a first class, internationally renowned critical care emergency medical service providing treatments and interventions that were second to none and he felt privileged and proud to have been able to be part of the GNAAS team for so many years.
Dr Weston will continue to chair and respond for the BEEP Doctors.
