Cornwall Air Ambulance Shortlisted for Two National Charity Awards

Published On: 31 July 2025Last Updated: 31 July 2025By CornishStuff

📷 Staff - Fundraising Team

You won't believe which Cornish album hit the charts – and why it could win big this September

Cornwall Air Ambulance has been shortlisted for two national awards following the success of its campaign to bring a second lifesaving helicopter to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The charity is in the running for Marketing Campaign of the Year and Fundraising Team of the Year at the 2025 Third Sector Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievements across the UK's charity sector.

A Cornish Sea Shanty That Took on the Charts

The nomination for Marketing Campaign of the Year comes off the back of Sing it Home, a community album created by the charity that reached number 11 in the UK official album download charts. It even beat Coldplay and stayed in the top 20 for two weeks – a first for any air ambulance charity.

Over 500 local performers took part in the album, including one of the charity's own Critical Care Paramedics and a former patient. Local schools were invited to take part in a radio competition, performing their own versions of the title track.

The campaign reached more than one million digital interactions. It included a music video and a Christmas animation using the song.

Jon Michael, Head of Marketing & Communications, said:
"We were delighted to be shortlisted once again for the Third Sector Awards, which is very much considered to be the Oscars of the charity world. Sing it Home was an incredible way to bring the community together for a great cause, and to raise awareness of why Cornwall Air Ambulance needs a second helicopter. It was great fun to develop our own Cornish sea shanty, and to see how everyone embraced and got behind it. We were blown away by the response to each element of the campaign and how the community joined us on the journey. How many charities can say they beat Coldplay in the album charts!"

📷Marcomms Team

£2.85 Million Raised to Bring Second Helicopter to Cornwall

The charity's fundraising team is also shortlisted in the Fundraising Team of the Year category, recognised for their ambitious efforts to raise over £7.5 million annually, including an additional £2.85 million for the Heli2 Appeal.

That 18-month appeal included a number of standout moments. The Heli2 Heroes campaign gave supporters the opportunity to have their names placed on the new aircraft, selling out all 1,200 available spaces. A separate campaign, Stepping Out to save lives, saw over 30 steps sold to businesses for sponsorship.

The in-memory giving experience was also redesigned and integrated into the charity's website, which helped increase both engagement and donations. Legacy income rose too, supported by stronger brand visibility with funeral directors and solicitors.

Karen Hurn, Head of Fundraising & Philanthropy, said:
"We are incredibly proud to have been nominated, and this recognition is truly shared with every person who supported the Heli2 Appeal. The dedication and passion of our fundraising team has been exceptional, but we know this achievement belongs just as much to the generous individuals, communities, and businesses who stood with us. Together, we raised an extraordinary £2.85 million – a milestone that helped bring a second helicopter to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who joined the Heli2 mission. We couldn't have done it without you."