Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

Charity Bike Ride - John O'Groats to Lands End

Introduction

During her deployment in support of Operation HERRICK last year, Squadron Leader Di Lamb had first hand experience of the level of medical care available to the Afghan population in Kabul. The Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital is the country’s main referral centre for Orthopaedic and Emergency Surgery and one which received many of the patients that were transferred to Kabul by air. It was important to understand what level of care was available to these patients so Di and one of her team, along with a Close Protection Team, visited the hospital and was introduced to its Director, Dr Abdullah Salam, and some of its staff. The facility has witnessed many changes over recent years. In 1994, at the height of the fighting, approximately a third of all war wounded were treated there with many of the doctors and nurses risking their own lives to assist the injured. Since the summer of 2002, the International Committee of the Red Cross, in collaboration with the Norwegian Red Cross and senior hospital staff, carried out major renovation works. This included replacing the central heating, the roof, doors and windows and completely rewiring the entire building. It was finally handed over to the Ministry of Public Health in 2005. The disparity between the care provided by NATO and that available within such local facilities was the catalyst for Di and her small team; comprising: Flight Sergeant Ewan Kinghorn (RAF Air Movements), Sergeant “Dillan” Willans (RAF Air Movements), Corporal Hassan (RAF Police), Corporal Mark Davis (RAF Police) and Corporal “Sid” Davitt (12 Logistic Support Regiment), to try and make a difference. Projects to enhance the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital’s medical capabilities would not just favour those in Kabul but potentially all patients seeking specialist care from anywhere in the country.

The visit was a truly humbling experience and it gave Di an opportunity to witness how very motivated Dr Salam is to improve the hospital during his tenure. In two short years the hospital had transformed from a facility "standing in a dust bowl" into an oasis of colour and thriving activity. It has 210 beds; employs 4 qualified doctors and one qualified nurse, the rest of the staff are unqualified and work on a voluntary basis. Dr Salam had personally funded the development of irrigated gardens in the grounds to provide shade for the multitude of daily outpatients. He had also obtained sponsorship from a communications company to provide hardened access roads to the hospital. His motivation proved to be infectious and the team was determined to try and make a difference but they had to do something that was feasible within resources and security protocols.

On returning to the camp at Kabul International Airport (KAIA), the team decided to work in collaboration with Colonel Zolko Bubenik, the Commanding Officer of the Czech Army Field Hospital. Together they organised a social event, which coincided with the Czech National day, on 6th July 2007 and invited KAIA’s entire multinational contingent to participate. The KAIA Supreme store donated an 80GB iPod, which was raffled that evening, raising almost $500. This was then combined with funds raised during other events throughout their tour and just days prior to departing from Kabul; the team were able to present the total to Dr Salam at a small ceremony. The money was spent on further development of the irrigated gardens at the hospital, which successfully provides an area that patients might gain shelter from the harsh sun whilst awaiting their appointments.

The pictures below represent the ongoing work at the hospital supported by the monies already raised. Patients are benefiting from the developments even at this early stage; the two photographs highlighting the transition of the landscape. Pipework is being laid to supply the scorched earth in the grounds with much needed water, which will soon transform the gardens and extend the hospital facilities further.

On return from Kabul Di, and her colleague Ewan Kinghorn, began training to undertake a challenge that might require a similar level of commitment as Dr Salam had demonstrated, to cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End. Find out how their training progressed on the next page.

Training

Training commenced in September 2007, Di as a complete novice and Ewan as an ex-RAF Triathlete. Despite having spent many hours in the gym, Di was physically unprepared for the different muscle groups required for roadwork. She was able to learn from Ewan’s experience and quickly adapted to life in the saddle. The steep Gloucestershire hills set the initial challenge but over time, and after many portions of fish cake and chips, the same hills seemed less daunting. The next challenge was the oncoming winter and freezing rain but not even that suppressed the motivation to continue. On one occasion the incessant rain caused them to shelter in the “Wild Duck” at Ewen, they arrived before the pub opened for business but the proprietors took pity on the bedraggled “athletes” and they brewed a huge pot of tea whilst Ewan and Di drained their footwear and placed as much clothing, as it was descent to shed in a public place that was preparing for a Sunday lunch service, in front of their roaring fire. After summoning enough willpower to be pulled away from mouth-watering aromas of roast lamb and Yorkshire puddings, they donned their still damp clothing and ventured back outside into biting winds, recreating a similar scene to that first undertaken by that rather famous polar explorer, to experience an almost instantaneous brain freeze. Needless to say they clocked-up only 30-miles that day!

Since then they conquered the Gloucestershire hills on several occasions and moved on to Wiltshire, Avon and the Cotswolds hills. Moving further afield they ventured out to the Somerset Levels (which clearly aren’t!) and the Mendips. Ascending Cheddar Gorge was challenging enough without the additional need to herd a few roaming goats on the way up. Needless to say they received much support throughout their training and met people they now regard as good friends. A few training sessions have taken them back to the Mendips and a serendipitous find was the Mendip Stud. The proprietors, John and Lou, have a fabulous farmhouse, which they share as almost a second home for their guests. Di and Ewan arrived and met a 16-hour old foal called “Carera” who was remarkably stable on four brand new legs but was having trouble finding the milk bar! It proved a great starting point to ascend Cheddar Gorge and the surrounding hills, particularly because Lou cooks the best full English breakfast in the world.

In complete contrast to their previous experiences with freezing rain and biting winds they decided to take advantage of the warmer spring weather and took a detour to the coast for an ice-cream, which spurred them on to achieve a distance of 72 miles that day. The next hurdle was acquiring the ability to cycle considerable distances on consecutive days in the saddle in preparation for the big event in August 2008. The changing seasons didn’t always present the expected improvements in the weather! On one occasion their route took them into the New Forest and Di was intent on partaking of her other hobby of photography. The day started well but it was soon apparent that Di’s talents for “Dr Doolittle” impersonations had become rather more skilful than initially thought!

Even a herd of cows couldn’t resist. Initially they continued to munch away nonchalantly but one eventually succumbed to her charms. . . . to be followed by the rest of the herd. In the end there were in excess of 20 cows making their way across the field! They were all very inquisitive and it was probably the rather loud shirt that Di decided to wear that morning that inspired their “fashion police” instinct to investigate further! However, it can be a bit disconcerting when animals of such bulk are moving together in your general direction! They were very cute but soon lost interest after realising there were no snacks on offer.

Even during the worst weather conditions, the need to achieve this challenge has never faded. Should you wish to help Tactical Medical Wing make a difference in Afghanistan you can send cheques to Di made payable to: “The Air, Land and Sea Challenge” to:

Tactical Medical Wing

RAF Lyneham

CHIPPENHAM

Wiltshire

SN15 4 PZ

Sqn Ldr Lamb is grateful to the following sponsors for their generous support:

THANK YOU