Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) has launched a summer fundraising appeal to help provide the top-level emergency response service they believe the country deserves.
The “Operation Skyward” campaign will support SCAA’s ambition that no one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time. And foremost in that ambition is the charity’s intention to launch the most advanced air ambulance of its kind later this year.
“Scotland deserves the best life-saving emergency care service possible,” explained SCAA’s Head of Individual Giving & Engagement, Alex Gregg, “and our new H145 D3 aircraft will provide exactly that.
“SCAA was built and funded by the people of Scotland and our ambition reflects the belief that our supporters and their loved ones should see that their donations are funding the service they deserve – the service Scotland deserves.”
Service enhancements at SCAA will include the provision of the new state-of-the-art replacement helicopter at Aberdeen and an upgraded H135 version at their Perth base.
Night vision capability, longer flight endurance between refuels, extra space for medical teams, life-saving equipment and loved ones, additional comfort and stability are just some of the benefits for crew and patients.
Serving 30,000 square miles of Scottish mainland and around 100 islands, SCAA is confident their operational enhancements will particularly benefit those in remote and rural communities, far from hospital care.
With an extra £2 million required each year to fund the improvements, however, a public appeal has been launched to boost funding for the life-saving flights.
“SCAA now requires around £10 million each year to ensure our two helicopters are there when those most seriously ill or injured are in dire need of rapid emergency care,” said Alex. “With our enhanced aircraft, we can reach those people faster with the highly skilled team of medics on board that could save their lives. And we can then airlift them to hospital faster and more comfortably.
“It’s only the support of the people of Scotland that will fuel these flights and help provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) they deserve. They have responded generously each and every time SCAA has asked for help and, hopefully, they will do so again.
“We all owe so much to those who have supported SCAA over the years,” added Alex. “At SCAA, our supporters mean everything to us. In their name, we have saved and improved thousands of lives and, thanks to them, we will go on to save many thousands more.”
To support SCAA and Operation Skyward, visit: https://www.scaa.org.uk/scotland-deserves/
