Babergh Oddfellows repays lifesaving skills with donation

Updated: 29 Apr 2024

Members of a Babergh Oddfellows have repaid the kindness of East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) with a cash donation after receiving a lifesaving skills training session and talk from one of its crew.

Based in Sudbury, Suffolk, the group recently handed over a total of £407.03 to the charity which was collected over two of its member events.

Babergh members donated from collections during both events

Lifesaving skills

Simon de Laat, Volunteer at EAAA, delivered a talk to the group about the work the charity does, which then inspired attendees to request a training session, which Simon returned to deliver on Wednesday 17 April.

Simon said: “This money will go a long way to support our lifesaving helicopter service and our community CPR training. A big thank you on behalf of everyone at EAAA.”

During the training, 27 attendees learnt how to give high quality CPR to someone suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. They were also shown how to confidently use a defibrillator machine.

“There is a defibrillator in the hall we use and they now know how to use it,” said Helen Patel, Social Organiser at Babergh Oddfellows.

“I would like to thank our members for giving so generously and for supporting the event, and a huge well done to everyone that took part in the training.

Babergh members learning vital skills during the session

“East Anglian Air Ambulance is a charity that you never know when you might need. It is totally reliant on donations and, as a group, we felt it was fantastic charity to support.

“Thank you to Simon for a brilliant talk and training session. We learnt lifesaving skills that we hope we never have to use.”

More on the Oddfellows

Babergh Oddfellows is one of 99 Oddfellows branches throughout the UK. Our aim is to improve people’s lives through friendship, support and charity.

Our branches, which are mostly made up of older and retired members, host a wide range of accessible and affordable events which are open to all. 

Oddfellows members can also access a range of benefits, including care and welfare support and a travel club, as well as opportunities to volunteer and take part in fundraising initiatives.

To find out more about Babergh Oddfellows contact Helen via email at helen.patel@oddfellows.co.uk or by calling 07876 710 053.

If you're based elsewhere in the UK, you can find your local branch via our Branch Finder, or to discover what events are coming up near you go our Events Finder.

If would like to find out more about the Oddfellows, or would like to request a free information pack and events diary, contact us.