Senior school head girls from Bruton School for Girls joined catering assistant Margaret Hooper on a very special visit .jpg)
to Somerset Air Ambulance in Henstridge this month to say a personal thank you for a life-saving rescue.
The girls and Margaret handed over £1,100 to CEO Bill Sivewright and crew members who responded to an emergency call out to the school which helped save Margaret’s life.
In February, Margaret suffered a heart attack whilst at work in the kitchen and was airlifted by helicopter to Bath RUH in just eight minutes.
Catering Manager Melissa Atkins was forced to put her first aid skills to the test as she helped to resuscitate Margaret moments after her attack.
Melissa said: “It was a harrowing experience but the catering team and I did just what anyone else would have done.
“We were so relieved to see the medical team arrive so quickly in the air ambulance and I am delighted to report that Margaret is still very much part of the team here at Bruton School for Girls and is due back at work after half term.”
Margaret actually suffered three minor heart attacks, two at the school and another one in the air ambulance. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the catering team and amazing care of the paramedics from Somerset Air Ambulance she considers herself extremely lucky to be alive.
The following week, the girls decided to organise ‘Bruton’s got Talent’ in aid of the air ambulance. They raised a 
fantastic £700 and the catering department subsequently had a collection and cake sale to raise a further £400.
During the visit by Melissa, Margaret and senior school head girls to Air Ambulance headquarters. Bill and his team kindly gave them a tour of the base and a presentation on how they raise funds. Luckily the helicopter was not in use and they were invited on board to take a closer look.
The charity was extremely pleased to receive the donation and thanked the girls from Bruton School for such successful and speedy fundraising.
• For further information on Bruton School for Girls call 01749 814400 or visit www.brutonschool.co.uk
Issued by Bruton School for Girls. For further information please contact Florence Wallace, Head of Communications,
Marketing and PR on 01749 814415 or email fwallace@brutonschool.co.uk
