We’re delighted to announce that Aermec UK   has joined BASICS Essex’s growing network of corporate supporters through our ‘Sponsor a Clinician’  scheme, proudly sponsoring BASICS Essex Chairman & volunteer clinician Paul Gates. Aermec UK  provides advanced Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) solutions for industrial and commercial enterprises across the UK. While operating nationally, the company has strong roots in Essex and remains committed to supporting its local community. We spoke to Lucy Hutchins, Aermec UK's Health Safety & Environment & Quality Manager about the sponsorship;  Why did Aermec UK choose to support BASICS Essex? “As a national but Essex-based company, when possible we like to support our local community. We see BASICS Essex as not only a local worthwhile cause, but it is also a charity that serves and helps our local communities.” Beyond sponsorship “We regularly engage in wellbeing activities and enjoy supporting charitable initiatives. Throughout the year, we anticipate organising activities dedicated to raising funds for BASICS Essex, alongside our sponsorship.” BASICS Essex provides specialist pre-hospital emergency medical care across the county — with volunteer doctors responding to serious incidents in their own time, often arriving before an ambulance to provide life-saving treatment. Every clinician is a highly trained medical professional who donates their expertise, equipment, and time to support patients in critical need. The ‘Sponsor a Clinician’  initiative gives local businesses an opportunity to make a direct and tangible impact by helping fund the equipment, training and operational costs that enable these volunteers to continue their vital work. Paul Gates, said "The team and I are incredibly grateful to Aermec UK for their generous support and for helping us continue to deliver critical pre-hospital care to those who need it most in Essex. I am personally honoured to be chosen for sponsorship - while the funds will help the team continue to save lives across the country." Learn more about our Sponsor A Clinician campaign here

At 34 years old, based in  Kent , Matt Burton balances a busy life as both an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Emergency Medicine and a dedicated volunteer for BASICS Essex.   By day, he works across adult and paediatric services at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. By night—or whenever the call comes—he brings his expertise to the roadside, living rooms, and anywhere else his patients might need him.   His journey into  this field   began in 2013 when he  joined  the London Ambulance Service. “I worked in ambulance, response vehicle, and control, in both standard paramedic and advanced practice roles,” he recalls. After several years in prehospital care, he transitioned into hospital practice in 2019, where he’s since worked across two busy South London hospitals. “I’ve seen a good mix of patients and built up a lot of knowledge and skill quickly,” he explains.   But even with the variety of hospital practices, Matt felt something was missing. “I found BASICS and felt like I could use these skills for wider use in the local community” , he says. “This seemed like a no-brainer and an area of practice I had often thought was needed in my prehospital work. BASICS felt like a bridge to that.”   That bridge has not only allowed Matt to use his skills outside of the hospital walls, but also to share them with others. “I like that being a BASICS  Essex volunteer is not just about bringing knowledge and skill to the roadside. We regularly debrief ambulance crews, and these are a great opportunity to share knowledge and educate,” he explains.   “While we meet a lot of critically ill patients in our line of work, the most rewarding part of the role is being able to offer a sense of calm both for patients and supporting clinical services in distressing situations – being able to de-escalate and discharge on scene without overwhelming local health services is hugely important."   Of course, none of this would be possible without the right tools. “Our monitor is the most important piece of equipment we take to incidents,” he notes. “It gives us vital information such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart tracing, carbon dioxide level—without this we couldn’t do many of the things we do, such as anaesthesia, sedation, or enhanced analgesia.”   Outside of his demanding roles, Matt is first and foremost a family man. With a partner and three children, his downtime is precious. “Family time is really important to me,” he says. And when he isn’t working or with his family, you’ll often find him outdoors. “I really enjoy BBQ cooking and can often be found grilling in the garden!”   For Matt, volunteering with BASICS Essex isn’t just about critical interventions—it’s about being present for patients and crews when it matters most, bringing calm to chaos, and ensuring care extends beyond the hospital walls.

By a grateful BASICS Essex patient, Julie from Southend: "I knew the instant I hit the floor that something was badly wrong. My left foot was twisted at a strange angle & pain was building fast. By chance—good or bad—I was on a video call with my twin sister, Angie. I asked her to call an ambulance while I tried not to panic. My right leg had landed on a brass lampstand, leaving a deep gash that looked close to the bone. Angie arrived quickly and pressed a clean tea towel on the wound while I held my left foot, worried about the blood supply. Any injury is complicated for me. I live with cystic fibrosis, mild heart failure and osteopenia, and my care team are already discussing a lung transplant. The ambulance crew soon arrived and gave me gas and air while assessing the damage. They suspected my foot was dislocated and broken in two places. Stronger pain relief and a realignment were needed, so they called for a doctor. I didn’t know it then, but the doctor on his way Chris, was a volunteer with BASICS Essex , an emergency medical charity. Chris drove from Burnham and reached me in about half an hour. Calm and reassuring, he administered stronger medication and worked with the paramedics to move me outside where there was room to treat me. Living in a chalet bungalow meant the stretcher wouldn’t fit through the lounge. With extra pain relief on board, Chris realigned my dislocated foot to protect the blood supply and prevent further damage. Thanks to his skill, we avoided serious complications before I even reached hospital. In A&E, doctors attempted two further realignments but the joint kept slipping. Surgery was the only option. Two days later I underwent an operation under a spinal block—general anaesthetic was too risky given my lung and heart problems. Surgeons fixed metal plates and screws to my left ankle and cleaned and stitched the deep cut in my right leg. Only afterwards did I learn that Chris was a BASICS Essex volunteer and that the charity receives no government funding . These highly trained doctors give their time freely, responding across the county when the NHS is stretched and patients like me need urgent specialist care. I am profoundly grateful. Without BASICS Essex I would have endured hours of unnecessary pain and might have faced permanent damage. It is because Chris arrived when he did, my foot was realigned quickly & I have every chance of walking again after rehabilitation. To everyone who donates or fundraises for BASICS Essex—thank you. Your support puts doctors like Chris on the road, turning terrifying accidents into stories of expert care, compassion and hope." Learn how you can support here.

TCS London Marathon Please note that we currently have a reserve list for the 2026 Marathon, but hope to have spaces for 2027. The London Marathon is the capital's most popular sporting event, with over 50,000 people taking part last year. Looking to join? BASICS Essex has 20 places available for 2026. BASICS Essex Team Runners will receive: A fundraising pack, full of hints and tips to help you smash your target A BASICS Essex running T-Shirt or Vest London Marathon phone support, advice and guidance Support on the day from BASICS Essex 'Cheer Points' along the route Subject to venues being open, a Pasta Party, ahead of the event Registration fee £150 (Non-refundable) Fundraising target £2000 (Excluding Gift Aid) Have you received a place through the Public Ballot or your Running Club? We need your support... Run with our team of life savers. Help ensure, our vital 999 Emergency Medical Charity, can continue to provide its voluntary life saving work. For further information contact our Community Fundraiser: christine.winzar@basicsessex.org.uk / 07932695389 2024 Runners Congratulations and thank you to all the BASICS Essex runners for TCS London Marathon 2024! Garry Raised nearly £2,000 - Thank you! Anderson Builders 6 runners raised £15,000 - Thank you! VIRTUAL MARATHON Looking to run the London Marathon virtually from anywhere in the world? We can also support you with the TCS Virtual London Marathon, and we'd love to be your charity of choice! Get in touch for more information! Meet John Tyszkiewicz John participated in the Virtual Virgin London Marathon 2020, in aid of BASICS Essex. He ran 26.2 miles around his chosen route in Essex. John has raised over £4,000 which will help BASICS Essex volunteer Clinicians, save further lives across Essex communities.

Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for BASICS Essex with easyfundraising? There are over 4,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds. All you need to do is: 1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/basicsessex/ and join for free. 2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping. 3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to BASICS Essex at no extra cost to you whatsoever! There are no catches or hidden charges and BASICS Essex will be truly grateful for your donations. Thank you for your support.

As a small emegency medical charity, your donation will enable us to respond to more critical incidents across Essex, providing enhanced pre-hospital care to patients and help save lives across Essex. We do not receive any statutory funding and therefore rely solely upon grants and donations. Donate Thank you for considering donating to BASICS Essex. Below are various ways you can donate, take part in our weekly charity lottery, and generate FREE donations through shopping cashback. ONLINE DONATION Donate to us through JustGiving to directly fund our lifesaving work. TEXT MESSAGE (SMS) To donate £5 , text ESSEX to 70085 To donate a sum of your choice, text ESSEX followed by the amount (no £ sign). Example: Essex 15 You will have the option to Gift Aid your donation via a reply text link. Weekly Lottery Join our weekly charity lottery to help us raise funds, while also being in the chance to win some great prizes! Win prizes of up to £25,000 Christmas Mega Bundle prize Guaranteed BASICS Essex winners 50% of all tickets sold go to us Tickets cost just £1 per week Get your tickets Gift vouchers Lottery powered by OneLottery. T&Cs apply. See website for details. WRITE A CHEQUE If you'd like to donate by cheque, please make it payable to BASICS Essex Post it to: BASICS Essex, Moulsham Mill, Parkway, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 7PX Free donations through easyfundraising You can raise FREE funds for us when you shop through easyfundraising. There are 4,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds. More info FUNDRAISING EVENTS Check our Events page for more ideas on how to fundraise for us