Helen’s now airborne

THE chairman of Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, Tony Monteuuis, has stepped down after serving the charity for nearly 12 years.

He has officially handed his responsibilities to trustee Dr Helen Bowcock, who lives in Haslemere.

Tony Monteuuis, a former High Sheriff of Kent, spent most of his business life running his own printing company in London. When Tony joined the board as chairman in 2004 the charity operated one helicopter, serving Kent, during daylight hours only.

During his time as chairman, important milestones were reached – the introduction of doctors on board, expansion of the service into Surrey and Sussex with a second aircraft and base at Dunsfold Park, the subsequent move to Redhill Aerodrome, the introduction of blood on board both the charity’s helicopters and the implementation of night operation.

An air ambulance spokesman said: “The milestones reached have not only seen more lives saved by the air ambulance but also improved the quality of survival for these patients. The best interests of patients have always been at the fore of Tony’s actions and decisions.”

Dr Bowcock served as High Sheriff of Surrey in 2013/14. Through a family charity, the Hazelhurst Trust, she supports a number of local causes, is a member of the Council of Surrey University and is a governor of St Catherine’s School.

She is author of a report, ‘Hidden Surrey: Why local giving is needed to strengthen our communities’, published in 2009. She was a founding di­rector of a family software company and managed its human resources department through a period of rapid growth.

As a mature student she completed a PhD in sociology at the University of Kent and is originally a graduate of Durham University.

Trust chief executive Adrian Bell said: “We are all sorry to see Tony go but the trust is delighted to welcome Helen as our new chairman, and I look forward to the charity developing further under her leadership.”