Help us to keep families together this Christmas
Last year the charity attended 210 missions and provided its vital life-saving service 24/7 throughout the festive season to the critically ill and injured.
As Christmas approaches, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance invites supporters to make a difference by donating to their local life-saving charity, keeping more families together.
Last year, the charity carried out 210 missions, maintaining its vital 24/7 life-saving service throughout the festive period for those in critical need.
Alistair’s Story
Alistair Hopper left his house in Stevenage for his usual morning routine, which began by taking his youngest daughter Imogen (9) to school. The morning quickly took an unsettling turn when Alistair failed to arrive back home ahead of his regular 9am work conference call, which raised concern for his wife Gemma, who was also working from home that day.
“The kids were just back after the Easter holidays, so it felt like a rushed morning,” reflected Gemma. “When it was five past nine, I did think to myself, that’s really odd. Where is he? Maybe he’s popped to get some milk. And literally, three minutes later, another school mum, who I didn’t know too well, said, ‘how close are you to the school?’ My initial thought was that something happened to Immy, I didn’t suspect Ali at all.”
Help Keep More Families Together at Christmas
Our critical care team has seen the wreckage. We know the devastating consequences of drink driving – it ruins lives, tears families apart and leaves a lasting scar on our communities. The latest government statistics show drink driving deaths in the UK surged to their highest levels since 2009*, with approximately 260 people killed in collisions where at least one driver was over the limit.
As a local life-saving charity, we rely on the generosity and goodwill of people across Essex and Hertfordshire to remain operational, providing a free life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the critically ill and injured. We bring the hospital to the patient, but the power to make a difference lies with us all. Say no to drink driving this Christmas, empower change and save more lives.
National Statistics published 27th July 2023 by the Department for Transport
“I just wanted to reach out and say thank you again for such a lovely morning. It was amazing to meet the special people who saved Alistair’s life. It was wonderful for him to put faces to the story, and it was such an unforgettable experience for the children. You are all wonderful people. Thank you again.”
Alistair’s Wife, Gemma
It costs £9 million every year to cover all operational and charitable costs.
Without access to National Lottery funding and with only limited support from Government, we rely upon the generosity and goodwill of the people and businesses of Essex and Hertfordshire to remain operational and keep saving lives…we can’t fly without you!
