Keep Devon Air Ambulance Flying By Voting for Them in Our February 2021 Charity Poll

Who Are Devon Air Ambulance?

Devon Air Ambulance relieves sickness and injury in and around the county of Devon through provision of an emergency Air Ambulance Service. 

Last year, it cost £7.5 million to keep the air ambulances flying. The charity is 100% independent of Government and National Lottery funding, so this sum was met entirely thanks to the enthusiastic support of our fundraisers, donors, corporate supporters, customers and donors to our shops, lottery members, and those who remember us in their will. 

History of the Charity

Established in 1987, the charity was founded by Ann Thomas whose son, Ceri, tragically died in 1986 after being knocked from his bike. When she asked the consultant what might have saved her son, she was told that the quicker treatment is recieved, the better chances of survival. This lead Ann to launch the Ceri Thomas Appeal to raise funds for an Air Ambulance service in Devon.

How Devon Air Ambulance Works

The Charity is privileged to be well supported by over 600 volunteers who donate their time and skills. This is done through supporting events and in the 19 charity shops, through box collecting, working at the head office and giving talks to local businesses, community groups and schools.

There are now 128 live Community Landing Sites across Devon, which have helped make it possible to reach patients during the hours of darkness by providing the appropriately floodlit locations that can be activated remotely so the helicopters can land safely. 

Early in 2019 the service was extended to 2am. This has helped to ensure the service can attend even more of those in need of urgent medical support in time critical situations. Thanks to the generosity of supporters the Charity was able to take on 7 new Critical Care Paramedics and 2 news pilots to help serve Devon’s communities during the extended hours. It is the Charity’s aim to become a 24-hour service. With the continued support of communities and businesses across Devon, this is a possibility.

When every second counts, getting the specialist skills of the Critical Care Paramedics to patients quickly is paramount. Devon's two emergency helicopters enable paramedics to deliver expert critical care to patients wherever they may be. 

When poor weather or essential maintenance prevents the aircraft from flying, Devon Air Ambulance has two Critical Care Cars which offer the same specialist service. These emergency vehicles are adapted to contain all the same life-saving equipment as you would find on board the air ambulance. They are also especially useful in built-up areas where landing sites for helicopters may be difficult to find.

How Your Donations Help

In August 2019, Devon Air Ambulance was awarded capital funds that have enabled the provision of two fully-equipped Critical Care Cars to support operations when the helicopters are not operational. This includes situations such as poor weather conditions. The funds also enable provision of 22 Public Access Defibrillators sited close to Devon Air Ambulance locations in communities across the county. 

Devon is a county that features two coastlines, rugged moorland and many miles of country roads, along with its rich tourist industry which welcomes a significant increase in population during the summer months. It's through this that the service continues to expand to meet the critical care needs of residents and visitors alike.

It is thanks to their supporters that Devon Air Ambulance is taking delivery of a new helicopter in 2020, which will better serve the county’s patients.

The charity is 100% independent of Government and National Lottery funding. Their running costs are met entirely thanks to the generosity of the kind people of Devon who choose Devon Air Ambulance as their charity and support them in many ways.

Devon Air Ambulance were our charity poll winners back in September 2019, winning a donation of £149.34. We're delighted to be welcoming them back for February 2021, and you can show your support for them by casting your vote today! Find out more about their work at www.daat.org.