John’s Story

An airlifted patient has completed a 10k fundraising challenge for Cornwall Air Ambulance just months after suffering a heart attack in a remote part of north Cornwall.

John Stedman had not been feeling right for several days last January, where he had been suffering from aches and pains and was getting out of breath when walking.

John had been to the tip but wasn’t feeling well so came straight back home to St Breward. He looked up his symptoms online and worked out that he was likely suffering a heart attack. Home alone, John rushed to his neighbours’ house and got them to call 999.

Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked and landed in a nearby field, with Pilot Rich Dixon, Critical Care Paramedic Paul Maskell and Trainee Chris Ward on board. On scene, the crew administered pain relief as well as carrying out tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG), to measure the rhythm and electrical activity of John’s heart. The results, which confirmed John was experiencing a heart attack, were sent straight onto the Royal Cornwall Hospital ready for their arrival. John was taken to the nearby aircraft and conveyed to Treliske for onward care.

At hospital, John underwent further tests and was taken straight in for surgery where he had two stents fitted. John said: “It’s exactly how the NHS should work, apart from there not being an ambulance available in the first place. Without the air ambulance I might not still be sitting here today. The heart attack could have turned into a cardiac arrest and then who knows.”

John spent several days in hospital and was prescribed medication to help his heart. With ongoing concerns, he had a third stent fitted six months later and has since made a good recovery.

John reunited with Critical Care Paramedics Paul and Chris at the airbase

Wanting to say thank you to Cornwall Air Ambulance, John’s daughter organised an Army relay marathon where she raised £1,400 for the charity just a few months later.

John then decided to take on his own challenge and took part in Runway Runaround back in October. John, alongside a group of friends, walked the full 10K route at Perranporth Airfield. He even had a bit of help from Critical Care Paramedic Paul, who crossed the finish line with him.

John said: “It was lovely, it was great to see Paul again and it was really personal. Cornwall Air Ambulance possibly saved my life, there’s no doubt about that. I have no idea how long I would have waited for a land ambulance, or how long until one became available and got to me.

“Cornwall is such a remote place, it is so difficult for the land ambulances to get to so many places where accidents may happen, without the air ambulance I’m sure many people would lose their lives, or their outcomes from injuries would be far, far worse. It’s a lifesaver, there’s no doubt about that.”

You can help us be there for more patients like John, by donating towards the purchase of your second helicopter, with all donations being doubled up to Christmas: https://cornwallairambulancetrust.org/heli2-appeal/