A VOLUNTEER has told how the death of her husband inspired her to help save the lives of others.

Freda Whittle’s husband Ian Whittle died aged 51 in 2003.

Mr Whittle had been admitted to Burnley General Hospital with a virus but after three weeks was transferred to St James’s Hospital, Leeds, where he was told he would need a liver transplant.

But the liver transplant did not work and Mr Whittle developed complications including septicaemia, kidney failure, a heart attack and stroke and died as a result.

After her loved one’s death, the 67-year-old wanted to help make a difference and began working at North West Air Ambulance’s Blackburn shop.

Mrs Whittle, from Burnley, said: “It was a very difficult time for us and I just wanted to give something back and help others and decided to get involved with charity work.

“My friend's daughter had also been involved in a road traffic collision in which the air ambulance came to her aid, so this inspired me also.”

Freda has been volunteering with the charity for around 11 years.

As well as helping in the charity’s Royal Blackburn Hospital shop one day a week, Freda also volunteers as a speaker, meeting people to chat about the charity and building relationships in the community. The charity also has a shop on Preston Old Road in Cherry Tree, Blackburn.

Freda said: “After taking an early retirement from work, I wanted to do something constructive while the death of my husband was another reason why I joined.

“I really enjoy working at the shop and being involved in various fundraising and community events.”

Freda went on to talk about the life-saving role the air ambulance plays, acting as a vital service when land ambulances may not be able to get to the scene of an incident.

She added: “It is actually available to everyone 365 days a year and provides a life-saving service.

“The air ambulance fulfils a need when access to a car crash or other life-threatening situation may not be possible by road.

“I would encourage anyone to join the charity and get involved and volunteer for it as we need more volunteers to help out in the shop and elsewhere in the charity.”

The air ambulance charity’s helicopters fly all year round with the doctors and paramedics on board providing treatment and hospital transfers to patients across the North West – an area covering 5,500 square miles and 8 million people.

Since it launched in 1999, the charity has flown more than 22,000 missions across the region, with the ambulance called out an average of five times a day, rising to ten in summer.

Many critically injured patients would not survive without the service and the air ambulance would not be here without the support of its community of fundraisers and partners.

The charity is reliant on public and corporate donations to keep the helicopters operational and helping to save lives, needing to raise over £8 million a year to support its lifesaving service.

For more information or to donate visit the website nwaa.net or call 0800 587 4570.