Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Takes Flight for Air Ambulance Week 2024

Air Ambulance Week 2024, taking place across the UK from 9th to 15th September, shines a spotlight on the life-saving work of air ambulance charities, including Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT). This annual campaign, led by Air Ambulances UK, invites communities to come together and support the critical work these charities do—because today’s supporter can be tomorrow’s lifesaver.

Your Support Matters

Air ambulance services like EHAAT rely on public donations to continue delivering advanced pre-hospital care to people facing life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Each act of support, whether financial or through volunteering, plays a direct role in increasing survival rates and improving patient outcomes.

Throughout the week, EHAAT will be celebrating supporters who will be taking on challenges and holding fundraising events, like Brew for the Crew coffee mornings and Go Red, Go Yellow themed days at the office.

Supporters like Neil Sperrin, Technical Director at Stonebond Properties in St Albans who will be cycling in Ride Across Britain, from Lands End to John O Groats. He hopes to raise £5,000 by taking on the immense challenge across 9 days and 980 miles. Neil says “This is my fourth year of riding this event, I really enjoy taking part, but it doesn’t get any easier! At Stonebond we have supported Essex & Herts Air Ambulance all year and I’m hoping to raise vital funds for the air ambulance because you never know when you or a loved one might need them.”

Emma Barker, Head of Income Generation at EHAAT, commented: “Our supporters are truly incredible and are at the heart of our life-saving mission. Thank you to everyone who has chosen Air Ambulance Week to host events and take on challenges.

“We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing team of volunteers too, and during Air Ambulance Week, they will be out in the community doing bucket collections and spreading awareness. We know it’s a challenging time for many, and we’re so grateful for any donation, big or small, that helps keep our service flying. There are many ways to support us, whether it’s donating pre-loved clothes to our charity shops, offering your time as a volunteer, or making a financial contribution, you will be helping our crews to provide life-saving care when it’s needed most.”

How EHAAT Saves Lives

EHAAT’s air ambulance crews provide critical care at the scene, equipped with advanced medical equipment and drugs that significantly increase the chances of survival for patients. Dispatched up to seven times a day from bases in North Weald (serving Hertfordshire) and Earls Colne (serving Essex), EHAAT plays an essential role in the region’s emergency services.

Funding the Mission

Each mission costs approximately £2,800, and EHAAT relies almost entirely on the generosity of local communities and businesses to continue its operations. By supporting EHAAT, you are directly contributing to saving lives — like that of Alistair Hopper, a father of two from Stevenage, who received life-saving treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest outside his daughter’s school. Thanks to a quick-thinking fellow parent who started CPR and called for help, and the efforts of the EEAST Ambulance crew, police and fire service who worked tirelessly to save Alistair, EHAAT’s critical care crew made the pivotal decision to transfer Alistair to Lister Hospital, recognising the specialised care he required. It was a decision that would ultimately prove instrumental in his remarkable recovery.

Join Us During Air Ambulance Week

EHAAT invites local residents and businesses to get involved in Air Ambulance Week 2024. Whether by donating, volunteering, or fundraising, your support ensures that we can continue to save lives and make a life-changing difference in our community.

Alistair “I am so grateful to everyone who helped save my life.” Alistair Hopper.

Get involved this Air Ambulance Week