23 Oct 2023
With support from the charity’s funding partner Marshall Leasing and long-term supporters London Freemasons, London’s Air Ambulance Charity has introduced six new Volvo XC90s into its rapid response vehicle fleet.
These new hybrid, Blue Light Response vehicles will replace the existing car fleet, which operates in conjunction with our two helicopters; ensuring we can serve London 24/7, 365 days a year.
Driving under blue lights, the cars reach the patient as safely and quickly as possible and deliver the same advanced trauma team as the helicopter crew, with the same equipment and medication.
The vehicles are based out of The Royal London Hospital and are utilised at night or in adverse weather conditions (when the helicopter teams cannot operate). London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s red livery is emblazoned across the vehicles, making them highly identifiable.
London’s Air Ambulance Charity partnered with Marshall Leasing to provide the funding requirements for the new vehicles, with value and service being of upmost importance when acquiring these assets.
London Freemasons agreed to generously fund the charity’s fleet of rapid response vehicles for three years between 2021 – 2024. This year, London Freemasons pledged a further £3 million to our Up Against Time appeal, enabling us to deliver our vital service for London around the clock.
Jonathan Jenkins, CEO, London’s Air Ambulance Charity, said: “As an air ambulance, people might be surprised to know that a huge proportion of the missions our teams undertake are in our road vehicles.
"These cars fulfil the same role as our aircraft, bringing the hospital to the patient in the form of our equipment, drugs and medical teams in the fastest possible time."
“Our team having access to these new vehicles is only possible thanks to the support of our partners at Marshall Leasing and supporters London Freemasons. On behalf of everyone at London’s Air Ambulance Charity, I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to everyone at Marshall Leasing for their continued backing for our service.
“The support of the London Freemasons down the years has been instrumental in keeping our helicopters flying and our rapid response car fleet on the road, ready for when they are needed for the people of London.”
Richard Baird, Sales Director of Marshall Leasing, said: “We are of course hugely proud to be supporting such a fantastic charity service within London. As an organisation predominantly funded through public donation, we had to ensure that pricing was as keen as it could be. As a medium sized fleet management and leasing company we can be more dynamic in that regard, and being able to supply such a critical fleet of vehicles is magnificent.”
