Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance flying high with £26,000 donation
They money will be used for new helipad and runway lighting at their Henstridge airfield
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's night time missions are going to be made safer and more efficient thanks to a huge donation.
The HELP Appeal, which is the only charity in the country dedicated to funding lifesaving hospital and air ambulance base helipads, has generously donated £26,787 to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, for new runway lights, helipad lighting and a new windsock at its Henstridge Airfield home.
The new lights, due to be installed this month, will provide a big improvement in both reliability and performance over the previous system, whilst making night operations safer and more efficient.
They will also help the life-saving service as they look to increase their availability in poor weather with a GPS based approach to Henstridge.
Charles Hackett, CEO of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said:
“A reliable, aviation lights system is of course critical for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance to be able to effectively and efficiently run night operations and so be available to patients when they need us the most.
"Our thanks to the HELP Appeal for their support, which will enable us to continue bringing pre-hospital, critical care to patients across our region”.
Simon Jones, Aviation Technical Advisor for the HELP Appeal said:
“It was a great opportunity to visit the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance airbase, meet the team and see how the HELP Appeal’s funding will be put to good use.
"Emergencies happen at any time of the day or night, so funding state of the art lighting, along with an illuminated windsock, will ensure quicker and safer take offs and landings for the air ambulance crew, enabling them to reach a critically ill patient as soon as possible. Saving time really does saves lives.”