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Holbeach businessman who was saved mid-air by Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance gives something back to the cause




A financial planner whose life was saved mid-air by the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance has given something back to the charity with a photography exhibition.

Andy Brook, who owns Consort Financial Planning in Holbeach, had dropped off his wife Irina in Peterborough when studying for her GP exams, before returning home and making himself a cup of tea.

Carrying the drink across the garden lawn he suddenly clutched his chest and losing his breath he realised that he was having a heart attack.

Left to right: Craig Blair, Dr Nick Tilbury, Kayliegh McDonald, Joe Harper and Gary Taylor (pilot) and Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Left to right: Craig Blair, Dr Nick Tilbury, Kayliegh McDonald, Joe Harper and Gary Taylor (pilot) and Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Mr Brook, now aged 63, said: “I felt I had been hit physically across the chest with what felt like a carpenters' mallet and like somebody had tipped a bucket of water over me.

“I thought ‘good grief, I think I'm having a heart attack’.

“I walked indoors and sat down and realised it wasn't going away.”

Andy Brook. PHOTOS: CHRIS LOWNDES
Andy Brook. PHOTOS: CHRIS LOWNDES

Mr Brook called his stepson who telephoned an ambulance which fortunately was close by.

He said: “They were with me in minutes but realised I was not going to make a 50 minutes ride to Lincoln so called Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.

“Midway through the flight I arrested and they used the defibrillator mid air.”

Andy and Irina Brook. PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES
Andy and Irina Brook. PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES

At the time of the incident, which happened 10 years ago, the Lincs and Notts ambucopter was one of three air ambulances in the country that were able to perform this procedure mid air.

Mr Brook recently held a celebratory event that raised £1,000 for the charity that he says he owes his life to.

He said: “We had a wine and cheese evening to say thank you to my clients and also welcomed the public along.

A photo of Oslo Fjord, Norway by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
A photo of Oslo Fjord, Norway by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

“I exhibited 50 of my photos.

“Orders totalled £1,000 which will go to Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, given that they saved my life.”

Since his heart attack a decade ago, Mr Brook has found that his photography hobby has helped put things into perspective.

A photo of Moulton Windmill, Lincolnshire by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
A photo of Moulton Windmill, Lincolnshire by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

He said: “I was 53 when it happened and photography has helped me change my life and learn to relax.

“I have had 20 years in business and I am no longer in the stressful job that it was so I am in a very fortunate position.

“I had always dabbled in photography and this was an opportunity that I needed to do something.”

The’ Honfronger ‘ (Dolphin) in Arkanas, Iceland by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
The’ Honfronger ‘ (Dolphin) in Arkanas, Iceland by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Though Mr Brook has some family history of heart issues, the incident that happened ten years ago this June has allowed him to focus on his hobby which has taken him to places such as Tuscany, Iceland, Japan and Vietnam.

He said: “I am conscious of having a heart attack and that now is the time to be making memories as we take those with us.

“My wife Irina being a GP has been a great support to me throughout all of this.

Kirkjusfellsfossar, Iceland by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Kirkjusfellsfossar, Iceland by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

“She has the brightest bedside manner.”

The couple’s annual garden parties where he sells his portraiture have continually raised funds for the charity and its essential emergency services.

He said: “Just walking around and taking the time over constructing a photo and getting it how you want it helps me to relax.

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

“People are welcome to donate through the web page.”

For further information visit www.consortfp.co.uk

Hoffellsfjoll Glacial Valley by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Hoffellsfjoll Glacial Valley by Andy Brook. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Are you doing anything to support the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance? Let us know in the comments below or email news@lincsonline.co.uk



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