AIR Ambulance Week 2023 takes off across the UK from 4 – 10 September, to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities across the UK.
During the week, Wales Air Ambulance will be joining other air ambulance charities around the United Kingdom to deliver the vital message that “We can’t save lives without you!”
The campaign highlights how air ambulance charities, such as Wales Air Ambulance, need public support to continue delivering advanced pre-hospital care to people with sudden life-threatening injuries or illnesses, helping to save lives and improve patient outcomes.
Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive, said: “We are the only dedicated air ambulance charity for Wales. For us, Air Ambulance Week has two aims. Firstly, it is to raise awareness of the vital lifesaving work that air ambulances undertake across the UK.
“Secondly, it is for us to recognise and thank all those who make our service possible. Without them, there would be no air ambulance service in Wales. This includes our employees, volunteers and Trustees, as well as our NHS and aviation partners. Likewise, our incredible supporters across the country, who have taken Wales Air Ambulance to their hearts and shown overwhelming passion towards the Charity and what we do.
“On behalf of the Charity, and all the patients we have attended over the past twenty-two years, I would like to thank each and every one of you. You are lifesavers. With your unwavering support, we will continue to maintain and improve our lifesaving service, which has become so critical for Wales.
“Our aim is, and always will be, to be there for you, wherever you are and whenever you need us.”
Since its inception in 2001, Wales Air Ambulance has attended over 46,000 missions across the country. The Charity relies entirely on public donations to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its four helicopters in the air and fleet of rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Service offers advanced critical care and is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership between the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS Cymru).
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient. This includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident. The Service is often described as a ‘flying emergency department’.
Air Ambulance Week is organised by Air Ambulances UK, an organisation that champions the lifesaving work of the UK’s twenty-one air ambulance charities.
There are several ways to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, joining the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery, or coming up with innovative ways to fundraise. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com.
