Nepal paramedic from Shropshire hailed a hero

Friends, family and supporters back home have spoken of how proud they are of Ed Hullah and Phil Llewellyn, from Shropshire and Worcestershire respectively – especially after hearing of how they convinced the Nepali Prime Minister to lend them his helicopter.

One friend even suggested they should be wearing superhero capes.

Ed, 24, from Newcastle-on-Clun near Craven Arms, and fellow West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic Phil Llewellyn, 45, from Worcester, treated hundreds of those injured in the earthquakes in the Himalayan country.

The two flew out to Nepal to help with the aid mission after the first earthquake on April 25 killed more than 8,000 people and destroyed hundreds of thousands of buildings.

More than 100 are thought to have died in a second big tremor that struck last Tuesday.

Deployed last week to the epicentre of the earthquake in Charikot, the two made headlines when, after waiting an hour for an available helicopter, they commandeered the Nepali Prime Minister's to get a dying woman to hospital in Kathmandu.

Ed said: "Phil explained that if we don't move the lady quickly she will die. The pilot went straight to the prime minister, who immediately authorised the use of his helicopter."

The woman survived and is now recovering.

Writing on Facebook during a well earned break in Kathmandu on Friday, Phil said: "Mad few days, helicoptered into the area Tuesday afternoon, borrowed Prime Minister's helicopter yesterday (as you do) LOL.

"Now being interviewed by international reporters, in newspapers around the world! How did that happen?

"Only came to help. Both overwhelmed by media attention!"

Friends back at home said the pair deserved their time in the spotlight.

Jay Harris told Ed: "Good on ya mate! You should be b***** proud, 'cos everyone that knows you is."

Luke Fisher said: "You are doing a cracking job, and to persuade a powerful man to lend you his private helicopter that is some good work."

Traci Sproston added: "Really can't begin to imagine the devastation you're seeing but you are doing such a fantastic job! Very proud to know you!"

Carol Milner told Phil: "Time to wear your underpants on the outside and find a cape!"

At Ed's former primary school at Newcastle-on-Clun, staff, pupils and friends were joined by Ed's mum Chris Hullah and sister Lorna Perry for a fundraising afternoon for the pair on Friday.

Headteacher Ruth Gittins said: "We're so incredibly proud of what Ed's doing. It's very good for the children to see an ex-pupil doing so well and showing so much compassion – giving up his holiday to carry out work to help people like this."

She said Ed was known for being one of the most highly qualified paramedics in the region.

"He's worked hard to get where he is, he's received the training and now he's put it to the best use helping people in Nepal."

She said the money would go to Ed's fundraising site www.gofundme.com/medicalaidfornepal.

"For a small school it is a fantastic amount to have raised," she said.

"The money will be spent by Ed on his return for medical equipment that he knows is required out there, and will be sent on to those he is currently working with."

She said the tiny 27-pupil school, and the community that supports it, felt like a family, which is why she felt so proud of him.

Ed was at the school about 15 years ago when Ruth's husband Lawrence was headteacher.

Lawrence Gittins said: "Ed was always kind and good natured, and fairly easy-going.

"But when he decided to do something he could be quite single-minded, focussed and determined, and I think that is proven by what he has done."

Meanwhile in Ludlow more than £1,500 has been raised for Nepal by the town's Rotary Club.

Spokesman John Hunt said: "Ludlow Rotary Club's collections at Tesco and outside the Food Festival raised a total of £1,618 for the Nepal Earthquake Disaster, which has enabled them to finance a total of four shelter boxes which contain essential items necessary."