Cornwall’s fundraising aim for second helicopter hits £1.42million
A target of raising enough funds to purchase a second air ambulance for Cornwall is edging ever closer. The Heli2 Appeal aims to raise £2.85 million. Supporters have successfully helped the charity to reach the halfway point.
The funds will go towards purchasing a second lifesaving helicopter for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It means the crew should be able to attend more missions by air across their 19 hour a day service.
Following a busy year of fundraising, the amount raised has now reached more than £1.42 million. It’s hoped the additional AW169 aircraft will be operational by summer next year.
‘Owning a second state-of-the-art AW169 will boost the resilience, capability and versatility of our service,’ says Steve Garvey, Air Operations Officer.
‘It means that whenever the weather allows, we’ll always have an aircraft ready and available even during periods of planned or unplanned maintenance.’
‘Ultimately that will mean we can attend more missions by air, get our highly trained clinical crew and their specialist kit to scene as quickly as possible, and ultimately, save even more lives.’
The charity says that during the Christmas period every donation made to Cornwall Air Ambulance will be doubled and worth twice as much – thanks to some generous donors.
‘Sing It Home’
All the money raised over the festive period will go directly towards the Heli2 Appeal and helping to bring that second helicopter home. The charity has even released the ‘Sing It Home’ animation to help raise awareness about the campaign.
‘On behalf of all the aircrew, staff and volunteers at Cornwall Air Ambulance we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the Heli2 Appeal so far,’ says Tim Bunting, Chief Executive, Cornwall Air Ambulance.
‘You are making a lifesaving difference, by enabling us to be there for those who are critically ill or injured across the county.’
‘We cannot do this without you, and now really is the time to join the mission and help to bring that second helicopter to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.’