ADVERT I SEMENT F EATURE
20 YEARS TOGETHER EAST ANGLIAN AIR AMBULANCE We look at how EAAA began and what its plan are for the future
his autumn, EAAA marks its 20th anniversary. After a short trial in 1996, the charity was officially established in September 2000, kicking off with a fundraising appeal with jockey Frankie Dettori. By early 2001, the charity had enough funds to start flying one day a week out of Norwich on a shared police helicopter with one paramedic. This was the start of an important lifeline for many local people, which we know today by its large yellow helicopters and yellow rapid response vehicles. Interesting fact: did you know that EAAA was initially funded by the AA? This meant it could start flying seven days a week back in 2001, hence why its helicopters have always been yellow! Now, EAAA operates across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk, 365 days a year. It also has yellow rapid response vehicles, which are operational 24/7, so there is always an EAAA team based at Cambridge Airport, ready to help local people.
to the most appropriate hospital for their needs. Over the past 20 years, the charity has flown almost 30,000 missions and helped almost 20,000 patients, all thanks to the generosity of local people. The charity needs to raise £13 million a year to develop and deliver its service, and is aiming to start flying 24/7 for the first time next year. It is deeply grateful for the public support, which has enabled it to pass this milestone. CEO Patrick Peal said: “EAAA is a unique lifeline for anyone in East Anglia. We are incredibly proud to be here today, having kept flying throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. We know we’re providing an essential service for local people and we’re so thankful for all the support we have received over the past 20 years. We really couldn’t be here without the community that funds our life-saving work. A huge heartfelt thank you from all of us to everyone who has supported us over the years.” To thank the community that keeps it flying and saving lives, EAAA has released a short film that explores the charity’s key achievements and explains how the service has grown, while showcasing the people it has helped. To watch, go to eaaa.org.uk/20years
On every mission, EAAA takes a highly trained doctor and critical care paramedic to the people in the most life-threatening situations, to give those patients the best possible chance of survival. In the early days, the service wasn’t much more than a flying road ambulance, but now the teams provide the best critical care at the roadside or bedside and can quickly get that patient
EAAA HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS
• 2015 EAAA receives the UK’s first H145 helicopter, improving its operational capabilities. • 2015 The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, joins EAAA as a pilot for two years of service. • 2016 Her Majesty the Queen opens the charity’s new operating base at Cambridge Airport. • 2018 EAAA starts delivering first aid and CPR training to workplaces and communities. • 2019 The charity flies its 25,000th mission. • 2020 EAAA is 24/7 by rapid response vehicle from both of its bases. • 2020 EAAA flies throughout the Covid-19 lockdown and celebrates 20 years.
• 2000 EAAA is registered with the charity commission. • 2001 EAAA starts flying one day a week with one paramedic. • 2001 The AA funds the service to fly seven days a week. • 2002 The first voluntary doctors start flying on the aircraft. • 2006 EAAA flies its 6,000th mission. • 2007 EAAA introduces a second helicopter, Anglia Two, based at Cambridge Airport, flying five days a week • 2010 Paid doctors are seconded from the NHS to crew the helicopters for the first time. • 2013 EAAA is the first air ambulance in the country to fly to unknown and unlit sites in the hours of darkness.
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