Stunt double joins campaign for local charity during national awareness week
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is calling for support from people across Essex & Hertfordshire after a 21% increase in the number of missions it attended over the summer. The campaign coincides with Air Ambulance Week, a nationwide celebration of the country’s 21 air ambulance charities from 7th – 13th September 2026.
In July and August the local charity carried out 540 missions, compared to 446 in the same period last year. In particular, it reported attending nearly a third (32%) more road traffic collisions*.
Supporting the campaign is patient Troy Pratt (58) from Sawbridgeworth. A stunt double on Eastenders and professional speedway rider, Troy was left with life-changing injuries when he set off on the short journey to visit his mum and a car began making a U-turn across his path. Due to the severity of his injuries the air ambulance was dispatched.
Troy was given an emergency anaesthetic to induce a coma at the roadside and then transferred to The Royal London Hospital. He had sustained a brain injury, a fractured sternum, multiple broken ribs and a punctured lung, as well as injuries to his spleen and bladder. He had also broken his left upper arm and right wrist and suffered complex pelvic fractures. His recovery has been long but positive and he recently visited the base to meet and thank the crew.
Troy’s bike
Troy said: “As a speedway rider, the broken bones didn’t really faze me, but hearing I had sustained a brain injury was terrifying. I feel so lucky that the air ambulance was able to reach me so quickly and give me the critical care I needed. I will never remember the detail of that day but meeting the crew and filling some of the gaps has been an important part of my recovery. It’s a vital service and we need to ensure it’s there for everyone across Essex and Hertfordshire.” Alice Kershberg, Patient Family Liaison Lead, said: “It was incredible to be able to welcome Troy to North Weald. We see our role as supporting our patients not just at the roadside but on the long road to recovery too. It’s brilliant to see how well Troy is doing”.
Mark Jarman-Howe, CEO at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance said:
“Air Ambulance Week is an important reminder not only that air ambulances are there for people in their darkest hours but that they are charities, relying solely on donations to keep flying. We’re asking everyone to support us however they can this Air Ambulance Week – from a donation to joining our amazing band of volunteers”.
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is dedicated to advancing emergency pre-hospital care, continually investing in research, innovation and education through its Centre for Excellence. This includes leading research into the early detection of brain trauma and the impact of pre-hospital care for patients like Troy.
For more information on Essex & Herts Air Ambulance or to donate, please visit ehaat.org
