A visit to Essex & Herts Air Ambulance took an unexpected turn when the helicopter and medical team were called into action during a demonstration, providing a dramatic first-hand insight into the lifesaving service a £10,000 donation from Essex Freemasons will help support.

Representatives from the Essex Freemasons executive, community and charity teams visited Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) as part of a developing partnership between the two organisations.

The visit comes as EHAAT continues to respond to emergencies across communities throughout the region. In recent weeks alone, its critical care teams have attended incidents in Grays, Basildon and Southend-on-Sea, including medical emergencies, trauma incidents and a road traffic collision, demonstrating the vital role the service plays across south Essex.

The Essex Freemasons group was welcomed by EHAAT Chief Executive Officer Mark Jarman-Howe and members of the team, providing an opportunity to learn more about the charity's work and the challenges involved in bringing advanced emergency medical care directly to critically ill and injured patients.

During a demonstration of some of the lifesaving skills used by EHAAT crews, the reality of the service was suddenly brought into sharp focus when an emergency call was received.

Within moments, the three-person medical team, pilot and co-pilot were mobilised. The helicopter the visitors had been standing beside only minutes earlier was rapidly prepared and took off in response to the real-life emergency.

The unexpected call-out provided a powerful first-hand demonstration of the speed, professionalism and readiness required from EHAAT teams every day.

Essex Freemasons have supported EHAAT over many years, both collectively and through individual groups across the county, contributing towards the charity's vital work across Essex and the surrounding region.

That support will continue with a £10,000 donation from Essex Freemasons to EHAAT, which will be formally presented in October. Representatives from EHAAT will also give a presentation about their work and the impact of the service across the communities it serves.

David Barton, Essex Freemasons Community Engagement Lead, said: "Visiting EHAAT gave us a real insight into the scale of the operation and the dedication of the people who deliver this vital service every day. Seeing the team respond to a live emergency while we were there brought that work into even sharper focus.

"We are delighted to be strengthening our support for EHAAT and, importantly, looking at ways we can develop the relationship beyond financial support, creating more opportunities for our members and their families to engage with and support the charity in the future."

The £10,000 donation forms part of a wider programme being developed between the two organisations, moving the relationship beyond financial support and creating opportunities for people to become more directly involved.

Plans already include supporting Christmas fundraising activities later this year and family events during 2027, with further opportunities for volunteering and community involvement as the partnership develops.

For those who witnessed the EHAAT team being called into action during the visit, the importance of that support could hardly have been demonstrated more powerfully.

What began as an opportunity to learn more about the charity became a first-hand reminder of what communities across south Essex experience regularly: at any moment, EHAAT's crews can be called upon to help save a life.