Thursday October 2, 2008 LOSS: (left): Sandy died in a tragic accidental drowning in a remote Canadian lake in August, 2000

and is the motivation behind the charitys formation. REMOTE: (right): The Sandpiper bags are used by GPs and doctors in rural areas.

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SATURDAY 4th OCTOBER 2008

Doune couples charity success after tragic loss

by LYNNE McILROY

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A COUPLE from Doune who lost their teenage son in a tragic accident eight years ago have raised over 800,000 for the charity they founded shortly after his death.
Penny and Aly Dicksons 14-year-old son Sandy drowned in a remote lake in Canada on August 12, 2000, while he was staying with his grandmother in Canada. And although distraught by their loss the couple turned the tragedy into good, forming the Sandpiper Trust in 2001. The Trust, which is named after the River Teith burn where Sandy loved to swim, has since gone from strength to strength, growing from humble beginnings to become a vital, lifesaving organisation. The charitys main aim is the provision of uniform emergency medical equipment - the Sandpiper Bag - to Scotlands rural GPs, with around 700 of the bags currently in use across the country. They contain emergency kit, including neck collars and braces, oxygen cylinders and masks and a defibrillator among other medical equipment, allowing doctors to provide specialist care during the golden hour. Doctors who hold the bags are BASICS trained - a concept originating from the experiences of providing medical care during the Second World War. Aly explained the concept and said: Its not rocket science. These bags are a sophisticated version of the A B C - airway, breathing, circulation which means doctors can save more lives. They are one step beyond that procedure. Interestingly there are only about 450 ambulances in Scotland, mostly in urban areas so they may be two to three hours away from the scene of an incident. If that is the case the patient may well suffer or die as a result. There is a golden hour, the period immediately following an accident. Very often, rural GPs and doctors can be first on the scene before the arrival of an

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SANDYS PLAYGROUND: The River Teith.

CELEBRATION: (l-r): Dr Laird, Mr R Maitland, Dr E McLeod, Her Majesty, the Queen, Aly Dickson, Claire Maitland and Penny Dickson, hand over their 700th Sandpiper bag.
ambulance. While they might not be able to carry the patient to hospital, they can certainly stabilise them or make them more comfortable. There are over 700 bags at the moment which can be of great assistance to the ambulance service. He added: So many doctors execute a role they find less than fulfilling, with much of it involving prescribing drugs or It hasnt all been plain sailing but if you get the content and philosophy right it just works. And this evidently works, with the couple meeting the Queen at Balmoral just four weeks ago to hand over their 700th bag. Penny said: I just remember that first 1000 and the first bag and thinking, how have we done that. When you hear stories of the lives being saved, without a shadow of a doubt, thats what keeps you motivated. Now the Trust is funding a new initiative, providing vehicle locators to ambulance control rooms across the country, potentially creating a situation whereby if a Sandpiper bag is closer to an incident, the doctor in charge will respond until the arrival of an ambulance. But all this costs money. To raise money The Sandpiper Trust has joined forces with the Lilias Graham Trust to hold an Antiques Valuation Day at Blairdrummond Community Hall in Stirling. Tickets for the event, held in association with Shapes auctioneers, cost just 10, with the price including soup, cheese, coffee, cake and the valuation of up to three items. The valuation day will be held on Saturday, November 8 from 10am-3pm. If youd like to buy tickets for the event enquiries can be made to Penny Dickson on 01786 842575, or by e-mailing penny@lanrick.co.uk

Subject to availability

The concept, by many coincidences, is so tangible

Aly Dickson

referring patients to a consultant, diminishing their role. These bags give them the chance to contribute at a local level to the community. If you give a doctor the confidence, right equipment and right training to deal with an incident then they will grab the opportunity with both hands. Of the charitys success to date, Aly said: The concept, by many coincidences, is so tangible. Penny added: People can see what theyre giving their money to and the design of the bag, the colours we chose and the name all just came together.