Fundraiser set up for paramedics stabbed while on 999 call
Hundreds of pounds has been raised for the two paramedics stabbed while responding to a 999 call in Wolverhampton.
A fundraising page has been set up to raise £10,000 for Michael Hipgrave and Deena Evans by one of their colleagues, Natalie Ravenscroft, after they were attacked at a house in Stephens Close, Ashmore Park, on Monday.
The West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics attended the house along with a police officer to carry out a welfare check shortly after noon on Monday.
They were both taken to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital where Mr Hipgrave was released that night, and Ms Ravenscroft was discharged on Wednesday.
Mr Hipgrave suffered injuries to his back and Ms Ravenscroft suffered a knife wound to the chest, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
More than £500 has been raised in less than a day on the page.
On the page Natalie says: "Both paramedics were severely injured and required life saving treatment from their own friends who attended when the emergency call came through.
This attack has left both Deena and Mick with not only physical but mental scars, wounds that will take much longer to heal, and as their colleagues, we can not even begin to imagine what they are going through right now.
"This page has been created in order to raise money for them both through any donations you may wish to make, even a donation as little as £1 each will build up and allow Deena and Mick to take the time they need to recover.
"This will also help ease the financial pressure of returning to work when they may feel they need to and allow them longer to heal.
"We are all in this together, one big blue light family! We all do this job because we care.
"Please remember... sometimes its ok NOT to be ok!"
Jordan Eggington, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service continues to offer full support to both Deena and Michael, as well as any colleagues who have been affected by this incident.”
Martyn Smith appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday via videolink.
The 52-year-old spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and, wearing a grey T-shirt, remained largely unmoved during the hearing, where he was denied bail.
He did not enter a plea to two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
To read more, or to donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mickanddeena
