The partner and family of Dr John Hinds have thanked everyone who has helped them since the Tandragee medic was cruelly taken from them in a tragic motorcycle accident earlier this month.
And, in a moving letter, they have pledged their full support for an air ambulance in Northern Ireland, something for which the 35-year-old Craigavon Area Hospital consultant had been actively campaigning.
They speak of their intention to establish an air ambulance charity and say their “dearly-held wish that John’s unique call-sign of ‘Delta 7′ is once again heard over the ambulance service airwaves”.
The letter is signed by Dr Hinds’ partner, Dr Janet Acheson, who works at Daisy Hill Hospital, and Dermot, Josephine, Peter and Colin Hinds.
Dr Hinds died the morning after he was involved in a tragic accident during a practice session at the Skerries 100 Road Race on July 4.
A petition set up after the tragedy, calling for an air ambulance to be established here, has been signed by tens of thousands of supporters and will be forwarded to Stormont Health Minister Simon Hamilton.
Today, in their letter, Dr Acheson and the Hinds family urged people to continue to support the air ambulance campaign and, in the meantime, to give blood.
They ask people not to part with any money in advance of an official charity being set up.
And they thank all who have offered support in their time of grief and urged people to do their bit to help ensure Dr Hinds’ fervent wish – an air ambulance service – becomes a reality.
The full text is below: “Thank you letter from the family of Doctor John Hinds, RIP, July 4, 2015
“To John’s team-mates of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (MCUI) medical team and the staff of Beaumont Hospital, in Dublin, who tended to John and tried their utmost to save his life, please accept our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the care John received from you.
“Thank-you for all the help and support you so willingly gave us, John’s family, during our short time with you. We could not have asked for anything more during the few heart-wrenching hours we spent with John before he passed.
“Everyone we came into contact with showed such deep compassion and commitment, nothing seemed too much trouble and everyone did all they could to help.
“Even when you were busy, you took time to check that we were OK and coping. Please consider this letter is our expression of thanks and gratitude to everyone involved for the care, consideration and respect you showed to John.
“Without doubt, you all helped us to cope with this dreadful situation and heartbreaking outcome. We will not forget any of you.
“To our biking fraternity: Thank you for including Janet and John in your ‘family’. John so enjoyed indulging his passions for motorsport and medicine while saving lives in Ireland’s highways and byways.
“John always said his weekend office stopped him becoming a boring anaesthetist and our John could never be called boring!
“To all those who came to escort John home from Beaumont Hospital, joined us on his last lap of his favourite circuit, the Tandragee 100, and on his final journey to his resting place – thank-you for being there.
“Our appreciation also goes to An Garda Siochana, the PSNI, North Armagh Motorcycling Club and Marshalls Association for ensuring safe passage during these journeys.
“Please continue to show your support for the MCUI medical team as they operate a man down.
“John’s teaching and lectures live on through SMACC (Social Media and Critical Care) and we hope he continues to encourage and inspire resuscitationists and trauma medics to be the best they can be.
“To all those who sent letters, cards, social media messages or flowers, left food, called at John and Janet’s home or at John’s parents’ house – your touch, hugs, support and words will never be forgotten.
“To Ian Smith and staff at John Smith Funeral Directors, thank-you for supporting us through such a difficult time with such professionalism.
“Finally, while we now need time and space to grieve for John in private, we passionately believe in maintaining his dream that Northern Ireland should have a first-rate trauma network with a doctor-led helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) at its core, so that our survival rates are improved and more lives can be saved.
“Please sign the petition supporting the call (http://chn.ge/1JFkFSZ). Please DO NOT part with a penny until an official trust or charity fund is launched to support John’s vision. This may take months to set up, so please be patient.
“It remains our dearly-held wish that John’s unique call-sign of ‘Delta 7’ is once again heard over the ambulance service airwaves, as the HEMS helicopter is cleared to land on the helipad of the roof of the Royal Victoria Hospital, or in a field or country lane to provide lifesaving medical intervention to anyone in need.
“Until then, and while we heal, we would reiterate Dr Fred MacSorley’s call for people to make a commitment to go and donate blood so that others may be saved or, in our case, buy enough time to say goodbye to a loved one. (#one4hinds text BLOOD80061).
“Thank you all so much.
“We will never forget you.
“Dr Janet Acheson, Dermot, Josephine, Peter and Colin Hinds.”
Show your support and sign the petition which can be accessed here:
Picture: The late Dr John Hinds and his partner, Dr Janet Acheson, pictured in March of last year.
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