London’s Air Ambulance celebrates 25 years of saving lives

London’s Air Ambulance is celebrating 25 years of saving lives across Newham and the rest of the capital.

The advanced trauma care charity, based on the rooftops of the Royal London Hospital, has treated more than 30,000 critically-injured patients.

Using a helicopter by day and rapid response cars by night, the Air Ambulance can get a doctor and paramedic team to a patient’s side within minutes,

And now in its silver year the charity are asking for help to acquire a second helicopter and additional pilots to extend its summer daylight flying hours, enabling the service to reach about 400 extra patients a year.

Chief executive Graham Hodgkin said: “It is thanks to the generosity of the people of London that we are here today commemorating this milestone.

“We urge the people and businesses of London to sign up as regular supporters to the charity to help us save more lives together.”

The Air Ambulance was set up in 1989 after a report by The Royal College of Surgeons found too many people were dying on the streets unnecessarily.

The charity have remained at the cutting edge of medical innovation ever since and can provide life-saving medical interventions, such as open chest surgery, blood transfusions, and anaesthesia, at the roadside.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “Hundreds of Londoners have their lives to thank for the crew’s speedy and efficient treatment.

“I urge people living in our city to support this vital cause so that they may continue to save lives for many years to come.”

For more information about the London Air Ambulance and the work it does visit www.londonsairambulance.co.uk.