Edinburgh > Oxford
370 miles
Keshia and Aziz were visiting friends in Edinburgh when their twin girls Anais and Maya were born extremely early at 24 weeks gestation. The family were devastated that Maya was born sleeping, but she left all her strength with her sister, and Anais continued to grow more stable as she was cared for at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.
Being born so premature, weighing only 540g at birth, Anais required specialist treatment and care, and needed constant monitoring. She faced at least a fourth month stay in hospital.
Grieving the loss of their little girl Maya and trying to concentrate on Anais’ health, whilst being over 370 miles away from family and friends was extremely difficult for Keshia and Aziz. It was crucial that Anais was transferred to a hospital closer to home as soon as possible.
Lucy Air Ambulance for Children (Lucy AAC) heard about their situation and immediately wanted to help. With Anais still being so fragile, a road ambulance or rotary transfer was out of the question. The only way Anais could be transferred closer to home was by aeroplane.
Lucy AAC was delighted that they could help Anais and her family. We flew Anais, accompanied by her mum Keshia, from Edinburgh to Oxford. Anais needed extra breathing support whilst she flew the 370-mile journey, so she travelled in our flight-ready incubator and was ventilated. This journey would have taken over 6.5hrs by road ambulance, but Anais and Keshia were only in the air for 1:15hrs.
Our flight team handed over Anais to the new NICU team at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford that would be looking after her and planning for her long-term care. Aziz later met Keshia and Anais at the hospital. Thanks to Lucy AAC supporters, they could finally focus on Anais’ health whilst being at home surrounded by their support system. Keshia says: “The charity has been such an important part of our journey and has enabled us to reconnect with our family and our true lives. We are forever grateful!”
Carla, our Corporate Partnerships Manager, joined Anais and Keshia on board this flight. Reflecting on her first experience of a Lucy AAC transfer, she says:
“What struck me most is how incredible the parents of our little patients are. After going through so many stressful moments already in the previous weeks, far away from home and loved ones for so long, it can be a lot of mixed emotions for our parents; a combination of transfer nerves and relief to finally be heading home. Although our patient is the smallest one on board, we are also here for mum (and dad) and hope that in the days, weeks and months to come, they’ll look back on the day with joy. I felt very lucky to have been a part of such an important part of mum and baby’s journey.”
Latest news & events
Our time for growth
Over the next few weeks and months, you will see our charity’s brand evolve from ‘Lucy Air Ambulance for Children’ to ‘Lia’s Wings’. We are going into the next chapter of our charity’s evolution with a new identity and expanded purpose. … Read More
Lia’s Legacy
Over the next few weeks and months, you will see Lucy Air Ambulance for Children’s brand change to celebrate an incredibly special little girl, Emilia Schoennagel, whom the world sadly lost unexpectedly in September 2022. … Read More
Lucy AAC Summer Skydive
‘Take the leap for Lucy! Join us on Tue 18th July at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield in Northamptonshire and experience the thrill of jumping 10,000ft at 120mph by taking part in a tandem skydive for Lucy AAC. … Read More
At Home Winter Wonderwheels 2023
Grab your mask, cape & winter warmers, Superheroes – we’re racing Pole to Pole! For this virtual Winter Explorer mission, you’ll be remotely uniting with your SUPER TEAM to race 25,123km from north to south, taking in some super snowy destinations along the way! … Read More
At Home Superheroes 2023
Get ready for an epic, virtual round-the-world race! You can join the fun wherever & however you wish & have a whole month in which to complete your super goal. Best of all, you’ll be remotely combining your powers with hundreds of fellow Superheroes & Sidekicks, from far & wide, all pulling together for this super-flexible mission! So sign up now, your SUPER TEAM needs you! … Read More
Superhero Tri 2023
Superhero Tri is a super fun sporting mission for people with disability – aka Superheroes. These superheroes call the shots – there are no cut-off times and all kinds of ‘gadgets and gismos’ are welcome on the course, from floats and boats to powerchairs, adaptive bikes, trikes and more. … Read More
Charity Family Fun Day rescheduled to Saturday 22nd April 2023
Join us on Saturday 22nd April 2023 when we will be holding a Charity Family Fun Day at West Park Leeds RUFC. From 11am-3pm, there will be fun activities for the whole family including: a 75ft inflatable assault course, bouncy castle, live music, fete games, BBQ, bar and much more! … Read More
