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GIVE THEM WINGS:
SUPPORT THE RED CROSS AMS EVERYDAY HEROES
SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service
Since its humble beginnings four decades ago, the South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) aero-medical network has saved the lives and made a difference to thousands of ordinary South Africans.
A single distress call dispatches a pilot and a paramedic to save a life, while deep in rural South Africa, a 'flying doctor' treats a sick child. Now, in celebrating its 40th anniversary, the non-profit organisation will honour its everyday heroes - paramedics, pilots, volunteers and health practitioners - who achieve extraordinary work under difficult circumstances.
The 'Give them Wings' fund-raising initiative, being launched in partnership with national retailer Ackermans, invites the public to join entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth, and local celebrities Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Doreen Morris, to purchase Red Cross AMS wings, hand-made by Streetwires.
The Red Cross AMS wings will be on sale for R10 in selected Ackermans stores around the country in a month-long campaign from 24 July 2006.
Red Cross AMS chairman, Professor Kovin Naidoo, said by supporting the campaign, the public would help the Red Cross AMS to continue its life-changing work throughout urban and rural South Africa. "Purchasing and wearing the Red Cross AMS Wings will keep these everyday heroes in the air," he said.
An affiliate of The South African Red Cross Society, the SA Red Cross AMS shares its principles and humanitarian values. Services are provided without the desire for financial gain, and donations have become crucial in maintaining medical and aviation equipment, providing services and containing operational costs.
Donations have enabled the organisation to expand infrastructure and services. Today, working in close partnership with the Provincial Departments of Health, SA Red Cross AMS provides comprehensive emergency aero-medical and rescue services to the Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and health outreach programmes to the more remote communities of KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.
Naidoo said previously these communities had little or no access to basic healthcare services. Now, more than 50,000 patients benefit annually from life-changing and lives-saving care thanks to the Red Cross AMS and Department of Health partnership.
Passionate about her work and the difference she makes within the community, Red Cross AMS Kimberley base manager Alett Vermeulen said people often literally stumbled into the eye clinics. "When they walk out after treatment or surgery, they dance."
The Red Cross AMS Volunteer Pilot of the Year 2003, Rocky Romanov (of Tamboerskloof, Cape Town) encompasses the true spirit of volunteerism by being wholly available to fly mercy flights across South Africa. Yet, he cites his most memorable moment as when a seriously-injured accident victim slowly reached out from under the blanket to shake his hand and thank the Red Cross AMS for "coming to fetch me at such a terrible hour (being 2am)".
Durban-based volunteer service co-ordinator Trish Gloss has undertaken more than 700 flights with the flying doctor service, and said it was the spirit of caring that motivated her to go the extra mile.
"It is very rewarding to witness first-hand the joy a pair of spectacles can bring to someone who has not seen for years or the difference a wheelchair, a pair of crutches or prosthetic limbs can make to an amputee who has been pushed around in a wheelbarrow or carried on the backs of family and friends," said Gloss.
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| SA RED CROSS AMS and Streetwires |
SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service and Streetwires (a business with a social mission that is providing sustainable employment opportunities for many formerly unemployed men and women in the field of African wire and bead craft-art) joined hands with AMS Everyday Heroes ‘Give them Wings’ month long campaign.
How to buy the Sculptures:
If you would like to purchase any of these art pieces contact
Adele Walker on 021 934-0916 or adele@ams.org.za |
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Look below thumbnails for more details of pieces and their artists. |
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Click on Thumbnails for a larger version of images.
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| 1. "Helicopter" R8 000.00
Artist: Winston Rangwani
Artist: Toto Mdidima
Description: A Masterpiece AMS helicopter |
2. "Earth and Sky" SOLD
Artist: Dish Design
Artist: Winston Rangwani
Description of piece: two sets of wings, central irregular spiral, one set of wings on ground, earth second set taking flight - sky provides motion to wings. All interconnected and working together.
Purpose: hope, optimism, motion, connectedness, uplifting, being saved, joy, upward, arched, being grounded / reliable, lifting to the sky |
3. "The Beginning" R10 000.00
Artist: Michaela Howse
Artist: Mike Carella
Description: A group of people standing and sitting form a link around a cluster of hands, showing the power of collaborative work and the interconnectedness of people. |
4. "My Wings" R10 000.00
Artist: Riaan Hanekom
Artist: Kuda Majuta
Description: Angel
Purpose: Everyone has a pair of wings, and it is up to you find your own and let them take you to where you are supposed to go |
5. "My Mother my Hero" R12 000.00
Artist: Jane Pitchford
Artist: Jeff Mwazha
Description of piece: pregnant mother kneeling
Purpose: growing up in southern Africa your mother is often your everyday hero. Wings serve as "love, care, protection, warmth, guidance, inspiration, uplifting etc" |
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-Yvonne Chaka Chaka-
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is one of the high-profile patrons backing the Every Day Heroes campaign. "Please join me and support the heroes of the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service. They are always ready to respond, whoever, wherever and whenever help is needed. They risk their lives for others, in remote areas and dangerous places. How can we not support them? I say go on our heroes, we are behind you." |
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- Mark Shuttleworth -
As the son of a surgeon, I know first hand the long hours and dedication that goes into being a medical practitioner. I salute the volunteers and staff of the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service and praise them for their commitment to providing health care services to disadvantaged communities. I pay tribute to these ordinary people who give their time on a daily basis to make a positive and extraordinary difference in people's lives. Often unrecognised, their commitment makes them ambassadors for the AMS and South Africa, and I am proud to add my voice to help increase awareness of the excellent contribution they make to our country." |
- Doreen Morris - |
"I started my life in the sub-economic housing scheme of Elsies River. At a very early age I realised that there were two classes of people: those who would live a life of privilege, and those who were doomed to a life of deprivation and lack of dignity.
The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service bridges this divide because it applies only one criterion: the need of the individual.
I have been privileged to witness their expert team of healthcare practitioners bring medical, dental and optometry services to remote farm workers across rural
South Africa. Their early intervention and preventative treatment truly improved the quality of life of an otherwise largely marginalized community.
The Air Mercy Service also plays a critical role during the "golden hour" of trauma care - when access to medical intervention could mean the difference between life and death and the quality of life after the incident.
The SA Red Cross would not be able to fulfill its mission without the dedicated team of selfless volunteers that include pilots and medical personnel who derive great personal reward from selfless service to those in need.
In every one of these heroes reside self-discipline, selflessness, risk and generosity. For them, preserving life is its own reward.
This campaign is our small way of acknowledging our "Everyday heroes".
If there were a podium, they would all be awarded platinum for they have been called to the highest service." |
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Support this worthy cause -
Wear your Red Cross AMS Wings,
made by Streetwires, and help
keep these Everyday Heroes in the air. |
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