Thames Valley Air Ambulance honours 11-year-old from Didcot with name on helicopter
Crews have helped resuscitate Edith Williams three times
An 11-year-old girl from Didcot is being honoured in a special way by Thames Valley Air Ambulance - with her name taking to the skies.
Edith Williams, who lives with a rare life-limiting condition, has become a familiar face to the charity’s crews after they were called to help save her life on three separate occasions.
Now, her story is being recognised as part of a campaign celebrating the people behind the service’s work.
Edith was diagnosed with Alexander disease at just three-and-a-half years old - a degenerative condition that affects the brain’s white matter.
"The skills that she has already gained as a young girl, she will slowly lose over the time," said her mum Sarah. "It takes away things like being able to speak and being able to walk."
Three years ago, Edith suffered a seizure lasting four and a half hours, which caused her to lose all her mobility and speech.
She managed to regain movement in her arms and torso, but has not been able to walk since.
Around a similar time, Edith also began having episodes where she would stop breathing entirely and, at one point, these were as regular as three times a week.
Sarah would have to perform CPR on her daughter, but had assistance from Thames Valley Air Ambulance on three occasions.
"They were able to take over the care of Edith and I could step back and be mummy. I could hold her hand, stroke her hair and help calm her down," Sarah said. "Having them turn up on our doorstep when times are tough is fantastic."
Sarah says the air ambulance's care goes far beyond medical treatment: “They are kind, caring and compassionate people who want the very best for their patients in that moment and they go above and beyond to keep our community safe."
The family was even been invited to visit the charity’s base, where Edith could see the helicopter up close - this time in a positive setting rather than an emergency.
As part of a new campaign, Edith will be the first name displayed on one of the helicopters to symbolise both her bravery and the vital work of the service.
“When we look up and we see the helicopter going past and Edith’s name will be on that helicoper, it will be an incredible moment for us to know that she's shining down on us,” Sarah said. “It will fill us with a lot of smiles and a lot of hope.”
She also hopes Edith’s story highlights how essential support is for the charity, which relies on donations.
“Without that kindness of the general public, they wouldn’t exist,” she said. “They are saving lives every single day.”
Thames Valley Air Ambulance is asking for donations of £150 for any more supporters to add their name, or the name of a loved one, to the aircraft for two years.