Essex & Herts Air Ambulance have released their figures for the most recent financial year.

It was another strong financial year for EHAAT, with the Charity generating a total income of £12.5 million. While at first glance this is a fall from the previous year, it should be noted that 2016 included the exceptional receipt of £1.7 million of Libor money from the Government. Taking this into account, the Charity’s underlying income has increased by over £0.9 million from the previous financial year.

Of the £12.5 million income received, over £8 million was a result of the Charity’s Flight for Life Lottery and bi-annual raffles. Monetary donations left to the Charity in the Wills of individuals brought in a staggering £1.7 million this year, 13% of the total income. Donations and other income from Charity-specific fundraising events and initiatives totalled over £2.8 million.

The Charity’s Volunteers are instrumental to fundraising. During the financial year they attended 687 events, collecting in the region of £250,000 for EHAAT.

Each £1 invested in fundraising raises almost £4 for the Charity. For every £1 received by EHAAT, 39 pence was retained for future service delivery, 32 pence was spent on our charitable activities, and 28 pence went towards generating income for the Charity.

Overall, the Charity’s expenditure increased by £0.5 million. This increase was mainly as a result of the Charity expanding its retail activities as part of its strategy to diversify its income streams.

As well as this, service delivery has been expanded to include two additional Consultant Doctors, extended hours of operation over the weekends, and the introduction of a two Pilot operation. These developments were introduced towards the end of this reported financial year, and figures will be more telling in the 2017-18 financial accounts.

The cost per mission has now decreased – from £2,700 per mission to £2,500 per mission – due to the greater use of Rapid Response Vehicles. However, as the Charity is now attending more missions per day on average, the total monthly and annual operational figures are increasing. Further details will be released in April 2018 to coincide with the new financial year.

Throughout the financial year, £4.8 million was added to the Charity’s overall reserves to futureproof their operations.

Jonathan Ager, EHAAT Finance Director, said: “It’s reassuring to report that the Charity is well placed to fund the expansion of its life-saving service. We look forward to seeing the growth of our operation in 2018 when we move to a 24/7 operation for the first time, using our Rapid Response Vehicles.

The expansion of service does not stop here and we will continue to enhance patient care over the coming years, in order to do this we will need the continued support of the people and businesses of Essex & Hertfordshire.

On behalf of the Trustees we thank all our supporters for keeping your life-saving service operational”.

How you can support EHAAT

• Sign up for our Charity Trek in 2018, Master Mont Blanc!
• Come to one of our events
• Make a donation online
• Sign up for our weekly Lottery draw