The Gift of Volunteering

Volunteers’ Week (3-9 June 2024) is an annual celebration of the time, skills and enthusiasm donated to good causes by individuals up and down the UK. We continue to see incredible support from people in the community who volunteer their time to be an ambassador for EAAA in a variety of ways. One of those is Riley White, who uses his knowledge of CPR to help train others in this life-saving skill. 

We recently talked to Riley to hear more about his volunteering experience.   

What does volunteering with EAAA bring you? 

I have been volunteering since September 2023. Being involved with the charity has given me a unique insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of East Anglian Air Ambulance and what it takes to keep it flying.  

I am lucky enough to experience first-hand the next-level care that EAAA can offer to patients. It is a fantastic resource for our community that we are lucky to have access to. EAAA's work is not limited to just their front-line missions, but also the work done by the RAID (Research, Audit, Innovation and Development) group to develop critical research and innovate pre-hospital care. 

What you do, where you go, who do you meet? 

EAAA covers an enormous area, however I primarily volunteer in Cambridgeshire, delivering CPR training to diverse groups of all ages and backgrounds, from primary schools to village halls. It's fantastic to know that you have made an impact on your local community by delivering this invaluable training.  

It is really interesting to hear everyone's personal and unique stories and experiences with EAAA and why they have chosen to attend the CPR training session. I have also made brilliant friends in other volunteers who I otherwise would probably never have met!  

Have there been any specific highlights/memorable moments during your time volunteering? 

Volunteering as a 'patient' for a CCP assessment day gave me fantastic insight into the selection process for CCPs and it was amazing to see all the simulation equipment and rooms in action at Helimed House. I have also been an ‘extra’ in a video for clinical training. 

How you feel about donating your time? 

It feels like a very valuable use of my time – I feel a sense of achievement after delivering a CPR session, as I have seen first-hand the significance of effective bystander CPR and early defibrillation. 

What would you say to others who are interested in volunteering with EAAA? 

It’s a unique and satisfying volunteering experience as you can often see first-hand that you have made an impact. For me, seeing the new knowledge and confidence that a group has after a CPR session is a very rewarding feeling.  

I am lucky enough to experience first-hand the next-level care that EAAA can offer to patients. It is a fantastic resource for our community that we are lucky to have access to. EAAA's work is not limited to just their frontline missions, but also the work done by the RAID (Research, Audit, Innovation and Development) group to develop critical research and innovate pre-hospital care. 

Thank you to Riley and all of the incredible volunteers who donate their time and skills on a regular and occasional basis to save lives across the region.  

We completely depend on a dedicated, diverse and flexible group of individuals who volunteer to support us in delivering this life-saving service. If you would like to learn more about what volunteering with EAAA could offer you, you can learn about volunteering for us.