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Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
Dexter Roberts, aged eight, a dedicated fundraiser for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has increased his fundraising total by selling the charity’s newest Christmas decoration.
Dexter, from Rowley Regis, West Midlands, has been a dedicated fundraising superstar for the rapid response emergency service since he was aged just three. His latest fundraising activity, supported by mum, Katie Roberts, has seen him sell in excess of 150 of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s newest Christmas decoration, a natural wooden star ornament. The amount raised so far from these sales alone totals in excess of £260.
In June 2016, Dexter and Katie were sadly witness to grandad, Maurice, falling from a roof. The incident resulted in Maurice hitting his head on the concrete below with some impact. 999 was called and the critical care team from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity were dispatched, once on scene, the team placed Maurice in an induced coma and rapidly flew him to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Although the critical care medics stabilised Maurice at the scene of the incident, he sadly later died in hospital as the fall had severed his brain stem.
Katie Roberts, Dexter’s mum, says: “I’m so proud of my boy for being so passionate about fundraising for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. As he’s growing up, he’s becoming more creative with his ideas for raising awareness and funds for the local lifesaving cause.”
Despite living through the traumatic experience at such a young age, Dexter has thrown himself into fundraising for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and its critical care team that did all they could to save his grandad’s life. Maurice’s family asked for donations at his funeral for the charity, following which Dexter was invited to learn more about the air ambulance helicopter and lifesaving crews at the charity’s base at RAF Cosford.
Later that year, Dexter attended an Inspire Day at his school, where pupils were invited to dress up as someone who inspired them. Dexter dressed as one of the charity’s very own critical care paramedic, complete with accompanying first aid kit.
In addition, Dexter has previously got involved with fundraising by selling the charity’s Christmas decoration from two years ago, a Mission Possible bauble, raising £350 and also walking more than 40 miles in the charity’s Airbase Challenge, earlier this year. Dexter not only raises funds for the charity, but he has also raised awareness by speaking at the charity’s Strensham airbase open days and waved the flag at its Bike4Life ride out in 2019.
Jo Bailey, area fundraising and events manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, adds: “It’s always lovely hearing that little Dexter is fundraising for us again. His efforts during the last five years have raised more than £2,000 for our pre-hospital rapid response service. Something our crew will forever be grateful for.”
Find out more about how to support Midlands Air Ambulance Charity with fundraising in your local area by visiting the Support Midlands Air Ambulance Charity web page and follow the organisation on social media.