A RAILWAY enthusiast from south Warwickshire has left a £20,000 legacy to the charity that saved his life
Richard Periam was airlifted to hospital by The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) following a serious accident in the garden of his village home near Stratford in November 2011.
The then 76-year-old was enjoying his large-scale model railway when the train veered off its tracks and fell on top of him, leaving him with a broken back and multiple fractured vertebrae.
Richard received urgent care at the scene before being flown to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire where he spent seven weeks recovering from his injuries.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Richard never lost his sense of humour and remained deeply grateful to the crew who came to his aid.
He was slightly embarrassed and more than a little disappointed that his first ever helicopter ride was one he was unable to properly enjoy.
After the accident, he became a committed supporter of the charity, donating £39,850 over several years before leaving a further £20,000 gift in his will.
Richard died aged 88, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, community spirit and quiet generosity – and a gift that will help save countless lives.
His son, William, said: “He was really grateful to the crew that went out to him and after his accident, he realised how essential it was to everyone. My father and our family were and are forever grateful to The Air Ambulance Service. They saved his life.”
Lynda Copson, legacy fundraising executive for TAAS, said they were saddened to hear of Richard’s passing and extended their condolences to his family and friends.
She added: “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity he showed to the service. Gifts like Richard’s help ensure that we can be there for others facing their darkest and most unexpected moments.”
The Air Ambulance Service operates helicopter emergency medical services under ‘Your Local Air Ambulance’ serving Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland. It also runs the National Children’s Air Ambulance, a unique helicopter transfer service across the UK. It receives no government funding for its daily operations and relies entirely on public donations and support.
Visit theairambulanceservice.org.uk to find out more about donating and including a gift in a Will.
