Local MP calls on Barking & Dagenham and Havering residents to donate towards final push for 2nd London Air Ambulance helicopter
London's Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has treated 28 patients in Barking & Dagenham in the first half of 2015. An Infographic released by the charity today, which includes activity specific to the borough, is encouraging residents to donate the price of a cup of coffee towards a second helicopter before the ?Your London, Your Helicopter' campaign finishes on 27th September.
Jon Cruddas MP for Dagenham & Rainham, who is supporting the campaign, said: "The service that the London Air Ambulance provides to the residents of Barking & Dagenham, stretching out to Havering is vital. I am 100 per cent behind the campaign to secure a second helicopter and increase the availability of the service.
"Our emergency services do a sterling job but we currently only have one helicopter for the whole of London ? that is why I am urging local residents to support the campaign and donate to the ?Your London, Your Helicopter' campaign."
Donations can be made online at yourhelicopter.london or by Texting HELICOPTER to 70800 to donate £5.
The charity delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London. When the helicopter is available, the team can be by a patient's side up to eight times faster than in a rapid response car. Its current and only helicopter has already been offline for the equivalent of over 50 days so far this year for essential maintenance. With a helicopter available at all times, the charity would be able to treat more patients via air.
Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer at London's Air Ambulance said: "It is thanks to the support of Londoners that we have raised £4 million of the £6 million target so far. We are so close to getting the second helicopter in the air and I would like to thank Jon Cruddas MP for helping us make one last plea to everyone to support the charity during ?The Big Lift'."
ABOUT ?YOUR LONDON, YOUR HELICOPTER'
In its largest ever fundraising drive, the ?Your London, Your Helicopter' campaign is hoping to raise £6 million, of which £2 million is still needed, to sustain a second helicopter and extend the charity's daylight flying hours for five years. The charity is urging the 10 million people who live, work and holiday in the capital to donate at yourhelicopter.london or text HELICOPTER to 70800 to donate £5.
Through the acquisition of a second helicopter and by extending its daylight flying hours in the summer months, the charity will be able to reach an estimated 400 more patients per year by aircraft.