Bob Burford

A paramedic quickly performed CPR and Mr Bob Burford received immediate medical care from the Racecourse medical team before the air ambulance arrived 18 minutes after being activated.

Mr Bob Burford was given enhanced critical care by the EAAA team, Doctor Pam Chrispin and Critical Care Paramedic Neil Flowers, before being flown to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further treatment.

Thankfully, Mr Bob Burford went on to make a full recovery and will be attending a special event at the racecourse next week to say thank you to the air ambulance for saving his life.

On Friday 18th October Fakenham Racecourse will start its season of National Hunt racing with the Sky Sports Racing raceday in support of EAAA. This is the first Fakenham Racecourse raceday supporting the charity and is estimated to raise more than £5,000.

On the day, representatives from EAAA will be giving CPR demonstrations and there will be a reception in the Lancaster Room, which looks out over the racecourse, where for £50 guests can enjoy a  two-course lunch and participate in an EAAA raffle as well as enjoy the racing.

Mr Burford said: “It’s certainly an experience I don’t want to go through again, but just goes to show you never know when you might need the East Anglian Air Ambulance. I wouldn’t be here without them.

“I see them flying over my house from time to time, and know I am supporting an amazing local charity. It’s fantastic that the racecourse are hosting a charity raceday to help raise vital funds for the air ambulance, especially as they are aiming to fly 24/7 from Norwich next year and need to raise a lot more in order to do that.”

David Hunter, CEO of Fakenham Racecourse, said: “Fakenham Racecourse is delighted and very proud to be supporting the East Anglian Air Ambulance this month, along with our media partner Sky Sports Racing. The work of the air ambulance is vital to the region and any one of us could need their life saving help at any time of day – and as will soon be the case – or night.”

£5 will be donated to the EAAA by Fakenham Racecourse from every advance ticket bought online before midday on Thursday 17th October. To activate the donation, EAAA5 must be entered on the Racecourse’s website at the checkout.

The Lancaster Room reception is £50 per ticket and includes a two-course lunch as well as entry to the Grandstand & Paddock enclosure, car parking and a racecard.

To book tickets go to: fakenhamracecourse.co.uk and to book a ticket for the Lancaster Room reception, call 01328 862388 Ext 3.