This weekend saw X Factor fever take over our screens, our social media, and our papers, with the start of the live shows. The ninth series of the show may have experienced a slight drop in ratings but there’s no doubting it’s still a hugely popular and talked about show.
Judge’s alleged feuds, the token novelty acts, fixing rumours, dramatic participant make-overs… there’s always so much more to X Factor than just the singing.
And then of course there are the ‘sob stories’.
X Factor just wouldn’t be X Factor without at least one story of a contestant’s hardship. From Tesco worker Mary Byre to Rachel Hylton’s battle with drugs, to 2012’s Jade Collins whose father has been in and out of prison, the X Factor producers always seem to find a tear jerking story in the participants past.
Over the years, some of the stories have been genuinely moving and humbling – some, not so much. But what they all have in common is the fact that they draw the viewer in. These stories make the participants real to use, they become someone we can relate to.
So what, you may well be asking, does this have to do with The Air Ambulance Service?
Well, it’s quite simple really. The Air Ambulance Service, alongside many other charities, uses stories of people who it has helped so that they can relate better to the Charity. Our patient’s stories can show members of the public what it is our service does, and how vital it is – really showing that you never know when you or a loved one may need the help of an Air Ambulance.
People may see our yellow helicopters in the sky, or put money in one of our yellow collection tins, without really ever thinking about what an Air Ambulance does and how it could help them.
Our case studies provide us with the opportunity to show people just why our service is so important and exactly how our helicopters and crew save lives on a daily basis.
Some people relate better to facts. They make their decisions based on figures and statistics. Other people relate better to stories about real people.
Rather than just telling you the number of lives we have saved, we tell you about people such as Richard, who’s had the chance to see his grandchildren grow up because of Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
It’s a tactic widely used within the Charity sector – in fact you’ll struggle to find a Charity whose website does not feature the stories of people whose lives it has changed.
Why not take a look at our case studies section on our website and read some of the fascinating stories, and let us know your thoughts – do stories like these make you more likely to donate to a charity, or indeed vote for a particular contestant on X Factor? Or is it facts and figures that make you more likely to donate? Whatever you think – we want to hear your thoughts!
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