18 Oct 2013

London’s Air Ambulance has been chosen by the world’s largest asset management company, BlackRock as its charity of the year in England. With over 2,350 employees in London and Peterborough, BlackRock hopes fundraising efforts will make a significant contribution towards a second helicopter and extended flying hours for the capital’s air ambulance, making this one of London’s Air Ambulance’s largest ever charity partnerships. Commenting on the partnership, James Charrington, Chairman of BlackRock Europe, said: “BlackRock is committed to supporting charitable causes that deliver a positive impact on people’s lives. As an integral part of this commitment, we are delighted to align our charitable activities with London’s Air Ambulance over the coming year. Through a wide variety of fundraising methods, we look forward to supporting the London’s Air Ambulance’s excellent work and the expansion of its fleet.”

The London’s Air Ambulance helicopter, replaced by rapid response cars at night, delivers an advanced trauma team to perform life-saving medical interventions, normally only found in the Hospital Emergency Department, in time critical, life threatening situations. There is only one helicopter and one team on call for the 10 million people who live, work or travel within the M25. London is alone among its world peers in relying on one helicopter for airborne medical services. Graham Hodgkin, CEO of London’s Air Ambulance, added "London's Air Ambulance is thrilled to be selected as BlackRock's charity partner in England for the forthcoming year. As organisations that are both built on serving our customer's greatest needs and that are renowned for their excellence and innovation, we believe this partnership will be truly exciting and mutually reinforcing and will raise critically needed funds for our second helicopter and extended daylight flying hours. Together we will save more lives in London."

The partnership kicks off today when BlackRock’s London office on Throgmorton Avenue will be transformed. Staff more used to focussing on financial health will be learning about medical emergencies and can even test their own surgical skills playing a giant game of ‘Operation’. During the year various events, including a 17 storey rope drop at The Royal London Hospital, local and international races, are planned.

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