The Sandpiper Trust

THE SANDPIPER TRUST, a Scottish Charity, was set up in memory of Sandy Dickson by his parents, family and friends. The primary aim of the Trust is to ensure that all rural GPs in Scotland are provided with essential emergency medical equipment and resources once they have undergone specialist training courses and gained certification from BASICS SCOTLAND, (The British Association for Immediate Care).On August 12th 2000, Sandy Dickson, aged 14 and a strong swimmer, died in a silent drowning accident on a remote lake while staying with his grandmother in Canada. Sandy was a country-loving boy whose life, for no apparent reason, was tragically brought to an abrupt end. He loved the freedom and beauty of the countryside. He loved life itself and lived it to the full. He had a "No Fear" poster pinned to his bedroom wall carrying the poignant yet ominous motto "Living - its the only thing worth dying for." Sandy was an enthusiast: he played rugby for Scotland's under 14's team against England - and won. He was an accomplished rider and the back of a galloping horse was his Ferrari. The River Teith was his playground where the sandpiper was just one of his many friends.

The golden memories of Sandy are embodied in The Sandpiper Trust. If just one life can be saved - the setting up this memorial trust will have been justified. The grief of a parent left childless or a child left orphaned is like a butterfly with a broken wing.

THE GOLDEN HOUR Accidents do happen! Sudden illness, injury or even death can strike unexpectedly and indiscriminately. It is widely acknowledged that if specialist medical assistance can be provided during the Golden Hour, the critical period between a serious accident and getting a patient to hospital, the chances of survival are significantly improved. In rural Scotland this is currently difficult to achieve. The figures are alarming. Drowning, falling, choking, poisoning and riding or traffic accidents accounted for 1454 deaths in Scotland during 1999. Of these, 47 deaths were children under 15 years of age and 19 deaths were caused by drowning. A report by The Royal College of Surgeons concluded that a third of all deaths occurring after major injury were preventable. The report added that the level and incidence of deaths among children was of special concern.

Download the Sandpiper Application Form

Download the Sandpiper Jacket Size Chart

Goto the Official Sandpiper Trust Website