Uniting London for a life-saving mission
In 2022, London’s Air Ambulance Charity faced its biggest challenge - by 2024 our current fleet of MD902 helicopters would have reached the end of their lifespan. We saw it as an opportunity to strengthen our links with London’s communities and rally support to help us carry on saving lives across London.
So, we set ourselves an ambitious target to replace both aircraft within two years. It meant fundraising an additional £15 million but we believed that London would get behind our cause and make it happen.
Our impact in the first year
Gala 2022
In April 2022, London’s Air Ambulance Charity hosted its most successful gala ever; raising over £1,000,000 in donations.
Claire’s story
Claire’s patient story launched the Up Against Time appeal and was shared to various media outlets, detailing how London’s Air Ambulance provided life-saving procedures when she was stabbed repeatedly at home by her partner.
Freemasons pledge
In March 2023, The London Freemasons – long-term supporters of London’s Air Ambulance Charity – made the largest single donation of the charity’s helicopter fundraising appeal, Up Against Time.
The Appeal Timeline
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October 2022 – The charity launched its largest-ever fundraising campaign – Up Against Time – to raise an additional £15 million to replace its helicopter fleet.
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March 2023 – The London Freemasons committed to make the largest single donation towards the Up Against Time appeal with a £3 million pledge.
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November 2023 – Philanthropists Julia and Hans Rausing donated a seven-figure sum to the Up Against Time appeal.
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February 2024 – Our Black and White Gala, attended by our Patron HRH The Prince of Wales, raised an incredible £1.3 million, surpassing all previous galas.
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August 2024 – Our campaign with Omaze raised an incredible £4 million for the appeal.
London's New Life-Saving Helicopters
With one year to go until the day the old helicopters would go out of service we still needed to raise around £10 million. We had now chosen the new aircraft that we hoped would serve London – the state of the art Airbus H135 - but had to find the funds to pay for them. Without the new fleet we simply couldn’t provide the level of care and speed required, for London’s most critically injured.
Steve's story
After London’s Air Ambulance saved Steve’s life in January 2021 when he was hit by a speeding car, he shared his story to urge the public to support our charity. Without the roadside REBOA he received from our team, he wouldn’t be here today.
BBC London live
Throughout Friday 4 August, BBC London hosted a live news broadcast from London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s helipad, atop The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
We partnered with Omaze
In June 24, London’s Air Ambulance Charity was chosen by Omaze to be its charity partner and therefore recipient of funds raised by their prize draw to donate towards our Up Against Time appeal.
Mission Accomplished
The appeal was our largest ever fundraising campaign, backed by Londoners and supporters who shared our vision to save more lives. Thanks to their support, by October 2024 we had raised £16 million and were able to purchase two Airbus H135 helicopters. These state-of-the-art brand-new aircraft were selected for their suitability in the built up urban environment we operate in and have advanced navigation systems. The bespoke interior was designed by our clinical team to ensure that when our medics arrive at scene, they are ready and equipped to treat the patient as quickly as possible.
We aim to save lives and achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients and their families, bringing hope through our specialist clinical care. With our future secured, we will continue to push the boundaries of pre-hospital care to make sure we are delivering a world-leading service for London for the years to come.
Omaze's huge donation reveal
Omaze’s London house draw – which launched in June 2024 – raised the largest-ever amount for our charity, resulting in a £4 million donation towards our appeal.
We celebrated the arrival of our new helicopters
On 1 October 2024, London’s Air Ambulance Charity celebrated the arrival of its two new Airbus H135 helicopters alongside HRH The Prince of Wales and ex-England Captain David Beckham. This momentous day marked the conclusion of our Up Against Time appeal.
Our first flight over London
Watch as our new state-of-the-art brand-new Airbus H135 helicopter flew over London for the very first time.
Donate today
Without the support of the community it would not be possible to continue our life saving work. Your donation today could save the life of a loved one tomorrow.