Londoners will have a 2nd Air Ambulance, thanks to fundraising
London Air Ambulance has acquired a second emergency medical helicopter, a MD902 Explorer. It has been registered G-LNDN and is expected to be operational early 2016 The fundraising total to date of our ‘Your London, Your Helicopter’ campaign is just over £4 million . London Air Ambulance organization publish a post and a video to thanks londoners for the generosity of the people and organisations who help them in this action. Donations from organisations, companies and the public are still needed to reach the £6 million target to keep the aircraft in the air for five years . The largest pledge to date is from the London Freemasons, who have committed to donate £2 million.
Following the launch of the Fundraising Campaing”‘Your London, Your Helicopter” seven months ago, a total of just over £4 million has been raised to date, with just under £2 million still needed to reach the £6 million target. This support has allowed the London Air Ambulance to acquire the aircraft and it will cover the costs of converting the helicopter to meet UK regulations. However, more money is still needed to fund associated running costs of operating the second aircraft.
Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer at London’s Air Ambulance, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have now completed the acquisition of our second MD902 Explorer helicopter. While more money still needs to be raised and there is still more work to do to get the aircraft ready for UK HEMS operations, this is a truly exciting development for London and the biggest step-change in our service resilience in the charity’s history. Thank you to all those who have already contributed. We will continue to fundraise towards our ultimate target and ask everyone to help in any way they can. Anyone can donate, either online at yourhelicopter.london, or by texting HELICOPTER to 70800 to donate £5.”
Through the acquisition of a second helicopter and by extending the LAA daylight flying hours in the summer months, the association estimate to be able to reach a further 400 patients per year by aircraft. This year, London Air Ambulance flew longer hours in the summer months for the first time in its history and, as a result, they reach and treat further 67 patients by air.