Can You Help? £197K Needed to Fund Critical Medical Fit for Cornwall’s Second Air Ambulance

Cornwall Air Ambulance is on the final stretch of its Heli2 Appeal, with just £197,000 left to raise for the medical fit of its second AW169 helicopter. The charity has already secured the majority of the £2.85 million target, but with only six weeks left, urgent support is needed to reach the goal before the end of April.

Why the Medical Fit Matters

The medical fit is what transforms the aircraft into a fully equipped critical care resource, allowing paramedics to bring hospital-level treatment directly to patients. Without it, the helicopter cannot carry the specialist lifesaving equipment needed to treat patients at the scene and in the air.

Lisa Ball, Critical Care Paramedic, highlighted the importance of this crucial stage:

“The AW169 provides us with a class-leading clinical HEMS environment, which is all thanks to the medical fit. The fit includes vital structures such as a state-of-the-art stretcher system allowing almost 360-degree access to the patient, the translating seat which allows myself, or any other attending clinician, to monitor and treat the patient during flight, and it gives us rapid access to all our specialist equipment. Without the medical fit, we cannot transport our kit to scene, carry out lifesaving interventions or convey patients to hospital.”

Helicopter Set for Summer Launch

The second AW169 is currently in Gloucester, where the medical fit is being installed. The process is expected to take several months, with the helicopter due to be mission-ready by early summer.

Tim Bunting, Chief Executive, urged the public to rally behind the final fundraising push:

“This is the final stage in bringing your second helicopter to life and making it mission ready, before it can come home to Cornwall. Having a second state-of-the-art AW169 at our disposal will boost the resilience, capability and versatility of our 19-hour-a-day service, all year round. It will mean that the crew can attend more missions by air and ultimately save even more lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported the appeal on this journey, I hope you’ll join us on this final part of the Heli2 mission.”

How You Can Help

The charity is calling on supporters to help fund the final phase of the Heli2 Appeal. Every donation brings Cornwall’s second lifesaving helicopter one step closer to becoming fully operational.

To contribute, visit Cornwall Air Ambulance’s donation page.