Air ambulance gets another £300,000 donation to boost hope for new base

Since its launch, the HELP Appeal charity has so far raised £3m, thanks to the generous support of members of the public, local organisations, community groups, and trusts and foundations, including the HELP Appeal. Get access to trustworthy local news for a fiver when you sign up for a digital subscription to The News. The appeal donated £300,000 to kick-start the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Operation Airbase appeal in September 2024 and has now granted a total of £600,000 towards the relocation of the service's airbase and headquarters to a site near Southampton Airport. The HELP Appeal is the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads and air ambulance base helipads. The charity has previously funded helipads at Southampton General Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight, and two of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance emergency response vehicles. Seventy per cent of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance emergencies are to the south of the region: Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight - a considerable distance from the current airbase in Thruxton, Andover. The move will mean the highly experienced doctors and advanced paramedics can reach almost every patient in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight within 10 minutes of take-off - in contrast to the current time of 20 minutes or more for some - saving vital minutes when treating critically ill or injured patients. Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal, said: "We have enjoyed working closely with HIOWAA for many years by providing funding for its Critical Care Cars. I'm delighted that we are also helping to fund its new air ambulance base, which is a crucial part of the lifesaving infrastructure its communities rely on in their most critical moments. "It will help ensure their crews are better positioned to respond quickly to emergencies across the region. We are proud to back such an essential service thanks to our supporters." Richard Corbett, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance CEO, said: "Eighteen months on from the launch of our Operation Airbase appeal and we are still overwhelmed by the reaction from our supporters and members of the public - none more so than by the generous team at the HELP Appeal, whose enormous contributions will impact thousands of lives for many years to come. Our immense gratitude to them for their support." For more information, visit hiowaa.org or helpappeal.org.uk