Appeal to build new local air ambulance base hits £500k fundraising milestone

Fundraising for a new base for the local Air Ambulance has reached a major milestone.

The appeal has now surpassed £500k towards the target of £9M – many of the lifesaving missions for The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) are launched from its Coventry airbase but that is set to close this summer.

A computer image of what the new air ambulance base will look like at Catthorpe

placeholder image — A computer image of what the new air ambulance base will look like at Catthorpe

In February, it launched its Big Bases Appeal – to pay for a new airbase just outside Catthorpe, near the border between Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

Director of fundraising for the charity, Oli Hiscoe, said: “The early momentum the campaign has built is wonderful, but we can only maintain it with the generosity and kindness of our friends and the communities we serve.

An air ambulance crew out on a local mission

"I challenge anyone who supports their local air ambulance to get in touch and explore how they can support the Big Bases Appeal today.

“We have seen nothing but positive support from everyone who has engaged with the campaign because they recognise not only the need, but the substantial benefits the new base will bring.

“The purpose-built facility will ensure emergency care for people in critical situations, while offering highly skilled clinical roles and specialist training for local NHS partners, and a learning hub for advanced pre-hospital emergency medicine.”

The new base in south Leicestershire will provide state-of-the-art facilities for crews to train and rest.

It will have dedicated family-friendly spaces for aftercare and recovery support and a strengthened National Children’s Air Ambulance service to meet growing demand for paediatric transfers.

Go to theairambulanceservice.org.uk/big-bases-appeal for more information on the appeal and the build project and to pledge funds.