25th Aug 2015
We are calling on Londoners to join ‘The Big Lift’, our final fundraising push for the ‘Your London, Your Helicopter’ campaign to support and sustain a second helicopter.
Anyone can help by volunteering for collections or hosting an event during National Air Ambulance Week 21-27 September 2015, when communities across the UK rally behind their local air ambulances.
In 2014, we treated 1806 patients in total. When the helicopter is available, we can be at a patient’s side up to eight times faster than in a rapid response car. Our current and only helicopter has already been offline for over the equivalent of 50 days so far this year for maintenance.
Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer at London's Air Ambulance said: “It is thanks to the support of Londoners that we have raised almost £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 make one last plea to everyone to join our pilots, doctors, paramedics, charity staff and volunteers, who will be out in force in London, for ‘The Big Lift’. Volunteer or hold your own event — be as creative as you like. It’s easy to get involved and your support will help save lives.”
You can help us by:
• JOINING A COLLECTION - Either a local collection, or collecting for the charity in the City of London on 24 September.
• HOLDING AN EVENT - Organise a bake sale, party, children’s play day or other fundraising event.
• DONATING - Either online at yourhelicopter.london or by texting HELICOPTER to 70800 to donate £5.
ITINERARY FOR 'THE BIG LIFT INCLUDES'
Monday 21 September
- CrossFit 1971 weight lifting challenge
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Waitrose x 17 branches collection
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Asda in Beckton collection
- 7:00am — 7.00pm Canary Wharf DLR Station collection
Tuesday 22 September
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Waitrose x 17 branches collection
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Asda in Beckton collection
- 7:00am — 7.00pm Canary Wharf DLR Station collection
Wednesday 23 September
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Waitrose x 17 branches collection
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Asda in Beckton collection
- 7:00am — 7.00pm Canary Wharf DLR Station collection
Thursday 24 September
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Waitrose x 17 branches collection
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Asda in Beckton collection
- 8:00am — 8.00pm Canary Wharf DLR Station collection
- 8:00am — 8.00pm Cabot Square, Canary Wharf Thurs
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Collections throughout the City of London
Friday 25 September
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Waitrose x 17 branches collection
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Asda in Beckton collection
- 7:00am — 7.00pm Canary Wharf DLR Station collection
- 7.30 — 10.00pm Apollo Theatre collection
Saturday 26 September
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Asda in Beckton collection
- 7.30 — 10.00pm Apollo Theatre collection
Sunday 27 September
- 7.00am — 7.00pm Asda in Beckton collection
In our largest ever fundraising drive, the ‘Your London, Your Helicopter’ campaign is hoping to raise £6 million, of which under £2 million is still needed, to sustain a second helicopter and extend our daylight flying hours for five years.
For more information and to join ‘The Big Lift’, please email yourhelicopter@londonsairambulance.org.uk, call 020 7220 5476, or click on the link below.