Fundraising detective helping to set up ambulance service in The Gambia

10 November 2021

A detective who will be turning 50 next year is set to mark his milestone birthday by taking part in a charity fundraiser that involves gifting more than 30 ambulances to communities in The Gambia.

Matt Stone, who has been with the Force for nearly 25 years, will be travelling across the globe next year, in order to establish a functioning ambulance service to the West African nation.

The married father-of-two will be joining around 120 fellow retired and current officers and police staff, or members of the police family, as they take part in Operation Zephyr, a mission led by National Police Aid Charities (NPAC), which provides aid to impoverished communities around the world whether in war zones or simply developing countries.

“It’s an exciting challenge, I’ve never done anything like this before. This is an opportunity for me to do something for not just one person, but an entire country,” said Matt.

There is a current lack of ambulances in The Gambia, which means doctors have to cycle from village to village on bike or critically ill patients are carried by relatives, or transported to their nearest hospital – which can be 10 miles or so – by any means available. It is not uncommon for families to turn up with sick relatives in a wheelbarrow having walked for miles.

Operation Zephyr will see the 30 ambulances delivered, as well as support vehicles and fire engines, to form the core of a new emergency service throughout the country.

“We’re setting up an entire emergency service, it’s not just a little thing that’s being done,” added Matt.

“My passion is helping people. I’ve spent nearly a decade working with victims of child abuse across the West Midlands and this opportunity gives me the rare chance to help the children and their families in an entire country.

“A friend from the West Mercia force who is taking part sent me his Just Giving page. Instead of donating, I fancied the challenge myself.”

Matt will embark on his challenge in March, when he will fly over to Spain, collect a fully-equipped ambulance and then join two other fundraisers, as they drive more than 2,000 miles over to The Gambia as part of the NPAC convoy.

“I’ll be spending up to 10 days driving with two people I’ve never met but we have the same desire to help people. I know I will be forming friendships for life with the group I’m travelling with,” said Matt.

He and the two other fundraisers will rotate between them, with one person driving, another directing and the third sleeping. All 30 ambulances will be driving to The Gambia in convoy.

After dropping off the ambulance at one of the villages in The Gambia, the local doctors and healthcare professionals will be trained to use the vehicles. Matt says he then plans on exploring the country to discover how much of an impact his fundraising will really have on the nation.

He added: “I’m sure this will transform their lives but will also be life-changing for me.

“The Gambia is one of the poorest places in the world and we’re trying to give them an entire ambulance service, providing support from the 30 key locations where they can be of optimum use and effectiveness.”

Matt is raising £2,500, which will go towards paying for the fleet of ambulances, he will then be funding any personal expenses himself, including food and accommodation.

“I’m reaching out to family and friends to donate. They’re all very proud of me,” ended Matt.

Donate to Matt’s Just Giving page.