In a year marked by unprecedented demand for emergency medical interventions, London’s Air Ambulance Charity has reached a new milestone, providing critical care to 2,007 patients across the city. This achievement underscores the essential role the charity plays in delivering immediate medical attention to those in urgent need, particularly as it embarks on the final phase of its ambitious “Up Against Time” fundraising campaign.

Supported by this publication among others, the campaign aims to raise £15 million by Autumn to fund the replacement of the charity’s helicopter fleet. As the existing helicopters age and maintenance becomes increasingly challenging, the urgency of reaching the fundraising target has never been more acute.

The charity’s impact has been felt across all corners of London, with south-east London boroughs such as Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, and Lambeth seeing significant numbers of patients receiving aid. Southwark topped the list with 103 patients, closely followed by Lambeth with 99.

The majority of the missions undertaken by London’s Air Ambulance involved responding to assaults, which accounted for 28% of all call-outs, with car crashes and falls from height also leading causes for the service’s deployment.

Despite common misconceptions, the charity’s primary function is not to airlift patients to hospitals but to bring advanced medical care directly to the scene of critical incidents. This includes performing complex procedures such as open chest surgery, blood transfusions, inducing comas, and reinflating collapsed lungs, effectively bringing the capabilities of an A&E department to the patient.

Dr. Tom Hurst, Medical Director at London’s Air Ambulance Charity, highlighted the growing demand for the service and the essential need for support to sustain their operations. “Our dedicated team works tirelessly to deliver life-saving interventions directly to patients when every second counts,” he said.

Jonathan Jenkins, Chief Executive of the charity, pointed to the record-breaking number of patients helped as evidence of the critical role the service plays in the city’s healthcare landscape. He appealed to Londoners for their continued support, especially in light of the government’s failure to provide the anticipated funding. “Every donation brings us closer to our goal of replacing our fleet and maintaining our life-saving operations,” Jenkins emphasized.

As the charity faces the twin challenges of increased demand for its services and the pressing need to update its helicopter fleet, the support of individuals and businesses across London has never been more crucial. The community’s generosity will ensure that London’s Air Ambulance Charity can continue its vital work, saving lives when every moment counts.