Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance crew gifted four-legged lifesaver

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) has welcomed a new four-legged lifesaver on to the team.

Ronin the “HERORat” has become a valued member of the SCAA team since his sponsorship was gifted to the charity by an anonymous trust last Christmas.

The sponsorship comes through, APOPO, who train African-born rats to sniff out explosives, with their light weight keeping them safe when walking the minefields.

While highly trained paramedics and pilots deliver life-saving treatment to people throughout Scotland, Ronin is saving lives in mine-strewn Cambodia under the sponsorship of the Scottish charity.

Ronin the Rat has identified 36 landmines in Cambodia. Supplied

Since the four-year-old rat took up the task in SCAA’s last year, he has identified 36 landmines, three pieces of unexploded ordnance and cleared nearly 60,000 square metres of land.

“Every month APOPO sends us an update on Ronin’s achievements which we pass on to the crews at our Aberdeen and Perth bases,” said SCAA grants and trusts officer Kathryn Cooper.

Ms Cooper said the trust that donated Ronin’s sponsorship wished to remain anonymous but explained why the trust had selected a HeroRAT for SCAA.

“They explained that ‘Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and we thought that the heroes of SCAA would like to meet HeroRat Ronin!’

“It proved a popular and perfect gift as the crews take a keen interest in Ronin’s life-saving work in Cambodia through monthly updates,” she said.

Ms Cooper said that the honorary member of the team was a hit with staff at SCAA who are “full of admiration” after watching Ronin on the frontline for a year, adding that they have “real affection for our little hero”.

“Cambodia remains one of the most mine-affected countries in the world and Ronin’s contribution makes everyone at SCAA feel very proud,” said Kathryn.

“We’ve sent him a SCAA pet bandana for Christmas so he can wear the tartan accessory and know he’s got a crew of airborne fans backing him here in Scotland.”