Wales Air Ambulance Announces Fourth Helicopter – Entirely Funded By Donations

Wales is set to have the biggest air ambulance operation in the UK, as its service launches a fourth helicopter, it has been announced.

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity will operate its additional aircraft – an EC135 T2e – from a new base in Cardiff – its first-ever in the capital.

The extra helicopter will enable the charity to accept more missions to help save lives across the country. Since its launch in 2001, it has completed 24,000 flights across the country. Its current fleet of three helicopters operates from bases in Llanelli, Caernarfon and Welshpool, with the whole of Wales covered inside a 20 minute flight time.

The Wales Air Ambulance is the official air ambulance operation in Wales, providing air cover for life-threatening, life-changing and time critical illness or injury.

Its medical crews, seconded from NHS Wales, provide pioneering treatments and work closely with all other official emergency agencies and hospitals in Wales.

During July it is being used for training. It will become operational within the Wales Air Ambulance fleet later this month.

WAAC relies entirely on charitable donations to raise over £6 million each year to keep the helicopters flying for Wales. The charity does not receive any funding from the national lottery or the government.

Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive Angela Hughes said: “It’s always been our vision to expand our fleet so we can help more patients, and to have a base in Cardiff.

“Subject to a successful six-month trial period, the fourth helicopter and this satellite base will become a permanent new resource for the Wales Air Ambulance.”

Wales Air Ambulance has been working with helicopter operator Babcock since its launch in 2001. Babcock provides the charity with custom-designed aircraft, experienced pilots and expert engineers. The fourth aircraft will be based at Cardiff Heliport.

There is an infograph from earlier this year that gives a break down to the type of responses from the helicopters & teams on them:

For more information on Wales Air Ambulance visit www.walesairambulance.com, you can also follow the charity on facebook.com/walesairambulance and Twitter