New Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter to allow night rescues
Midlands Air Ambulance has bought its first helicopter, giving it the ability to fly at night for the first time.
Bosses at the charity have bought the new £4.5m EC135T2e helicopter, which will be based at RAF Cosford.
It will be fully equipped for night flying and will replace anEC135 helicopter that is currently leased to the charity.
Because of its new capabilities, the charity is exploring the viability of flying at night and plans to launch a public appeal in the new year to help raise the extra funds necessary.
Brendan Connor, chairman of the Midlands Air Ambulance, said: "The new £4.5m helicopter has been entirely funded through public donations, demonstrating the incredible support our vital life-saving service receives from local Midlands communities and businesses, which we are extremely grateful for.
"The new aircraft will undoubtedly help us to save more lives as it presents us with an opportunity to expand our incredible service and deliver the best possible patient care to those we airlift.
"But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and although this is a milestone achievement in our 22 years of service, we need the support from the local communities we serve now, more than ever."
The new helicopter will be delivered to Bond Air Services in Staverton in December and will be operational at RAF Cosford from March.
It is currently being painted and fitted with pre-hospital medical equipment, plus additional equipment for night flying.
The Midlands Air Ambulance is the only charity responsible for funding and operating the air ambulances serving the communities of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. It is the largest air ambulance service operating region in the UK.
The air ambulance is funded entirely by donations. More than £6 million is needed each year to keep the service operational which is donated entirely by the public and local businesses.
