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New Direction
Major changes for AAUK
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Patient stories
Patients recall exceptional missions
> more on page 12
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Lindsay Boswell Interim Chief Executive
Welcome to this issue of Airway – and you’ll have noticed that there’s a new face and name for this column. In January, I took the reins at AAUK and have been spending the time since then getting to know the organisation and the sector. I’ve been out and about meeting as many people as possible – and what extraordinary people you are. In this issue of the magazine, I particularly enjoyed reading the snapshots of how air ambulances save lives in Patient Stories (pages 12-13).
I was also grateful to be able to speak to the editor of Airway in an interview, which you can read on page 7, where I give my impressions so far and also look to the future.
At the heart of my message is the fact that AAUK is here to serve. Our core focus is to support all air ambulance charities to be the best that they can be - today, tomorrow and into the uncertain future. To do this, we are making some changes.
Editor - Nick Campion E: info@airambulancesuk.org T: 07958 695778
REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS
Association of Air Ambulances (Charity) Ltd., Operating as Air Ambulances UK.
If you call yourself an air ambulance and you have a helicopter as part of a wider critical care emergency response, then you are part of the air ambulance family. To reflect this, we are ending our membership scheme for air ambulance charities. From now, we will seek to support all air ambulances. We will also raise funds for all air ambulances - but only where the amount that can be raised for all is greater than could be achieved by one. We are here to serve, not compete.
International House, The McLaren Building, 46 The Priory, Queensway, Birmingham, B4 7LR
Association of Air Ambulances (Charity) Ltd, operating as Air Ambulances UK, is Incorporated and Registered in England and Wales: Registered Company Number 9391251 and Registered Charity Number 1161153. Registered in Scotland SC051021.
Disclaimer
Whilst
We will focus on national fundraising initiatives and on harnessing your expertise to put in front of decision makers for the betterment of the whole community. We want every member of the public to know you, appreciate you and love the work you do. We want to drive more regular giving to support your work. We will encourage you to share and collaborate so each air ambulance can optimise its mission in every way.
Association of Air Ambulances Ltd is a subsidiary of the Association of Air Ambulances (Charity) Ltd and is Incorporated and Registered in England and Wales: Registered Company Number 08341197.
To ensure we hear the voice of all air ambulance charities, the Board of Trustees has decided to establish an Air Ambulance Council made up of one senior representative of each air ambulance in the UK. This council will propose, to the Board and Chief Executive, key areas of focus, common interest and collective concern.
We recognise that the expertise and ideas rest within the amazing people who work at all levels of the air ambulance family. The role of AAUK is to support this expertise and help channel it into positive action. For example, this year’s Annual Conference (3 December in Telford – hold the date) will be put together by volunteers from air ambulance services, facilitated by AAUK. Likewise, the judging panel for the 2025 Air Ambulances Awards of Excellence will consist of one volunteer from each air ambulance.
We are your AAUK and we are totally focused on helping you be the best you can be - and to do that we must listen to, and learn from, you all. Please contact me at any time on any issue. Meanwhile, enjoy this edition of Airway, including a fascinating look at one of those issues that is bound to come up when we as a community come together – AI and how we harness it for the greater good.
The APPGAA brings together politicians to address key issues affecting the sector and is a key body for the air ambulance community to be able to reach the decision-makers who can materially enhance the sector, its operations and success in saving lives.
During the first meeting of the new APPGAA, Pete Wishart MP (Scottish National Party) was reaffirmed as Chair, and new officers were appointed to support the group’s work:
• Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP – Officer (Conservative)
• Steve Witherden MP – Officer (Labour)
• The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE - Officer
The meeting set out the group’s aims and objectives for the coming year, with a keynote address from Lindsay Boswell, Interim CEO of Air Ambulances UK, who outlined the vital role of policy and advocacy in supporting air ambulance charities. A key topic on the agenda was hospital helipads, a significant challenge facing the sector. Plans were discussed for AAUK to employ a helipad specialist to assess the impact, compile a report to support APPGAA lobbying efforts, and provide clear evidence to the Government on return on investment.
Jamie Ward, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at AAUK, said: “The APPGAA is a crucial platform for addressing the challenges faced by air ambulance charities. With cross-party support, we can push for meaningful change, particularly on issues like hospital helipads, to help improve patient outcomes.”
AAUK has announced the appointment of Lindsay Boswell CBE as Interim CEO. Lindsay brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role, with over three decades of leadership in the charity sector. His career highlights include serving as London Director for the Prince’s Trust Volunteers, Director of Operations at Raleigh International, and CEO of the Institute of Fundraising.
Lindsay served as Chief Executive of FareShare for 13 years, transforming it into a nationally recognised food charity. His impactful work at FareShare earned him the title of Charity CEO of the Year in 2023.
Lindsay commented: “I am delighted and honoured to join Air Ambulances UK as the Interim CEO. I look forward to working closely with the team, our partners, and the sector to ensure we continue to make a meaningful difference.”
Lindsay has already made a series of important decisions. Read Airway’s interview with him on page 7.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Air Ambulances (APPGAA) was relaunched on 4 March, reaffirming its commitment to advocating for the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities across the UK.
AAUK has launched the AAUK Improving Outcomes Fund, a dedicated initiative designed to support air ambulance patients, their loved ones, and the crews who respond to lifethreatening emergencies.
Funded by founding partners HCC Solicitors and Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK, the Fund aims to ensure that patients and crews receive the support they need following a serious incident. It will help air ambulance charities to provide vital aftercare services, improving long-term outcomes for those affected.
Pictured left to right:
Back:
Jamie Ward, AAUK
Graham Leadbitter, MP
Pippa Heylings, MP
Claire Young, MP
Glen Picknell, AAUK
Liz Jarvis, MP
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE
Jim Shannon, MP
Air Ambulance charities will be able to apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £25,000 to fund initiatives that improve patient outcomes and crew wellbeing. The fund will support:
• Patient aftercare support services
• Dedicated crew support services
Front:
Steve Witherden, MP
Lindsay Boswell
Interim CEO, AAUK
Sarah Thewlis has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees of AAUK. Sarah takes on the role following a comprehensive selection process to identify a leader with the expertise and strategic vision to guide the organisation in its ongoing mission to support air ambulance charities across the UK.
Sarah brings extensive leadership experience from a diverse career spanning human resources, logistics, healthcare management, and executive search. She began her career at Marks and Spencer before moving into senior leadership roles, including Deputy Chief Executive at the Royal College of Physicians, Chief Executive at the Royal College of General Practitioners, and Chief Executive and Registrar at the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Lindsay Boswell, Interim CEO of AAUK, commented:
• Dedicated support spaces for patients and/or crews
• Outdoor reflection spaces for patients and crews
Martin James, Director at HCC Solicitors, said:
“As a firm that supports individuals and families following serious injuries, we recognise the vital role air ambulances play in emergency care. We are proud to partner with Air Ambulances UK to help ensure patients and their loved ones have access to the support they need during their recovery journey.”
“We are thrilled to have Sarah join Air Ambulances UK as the new Chair of our Board of Trustees. With her wealth of experience across multiple sectors and her passion for supporting complex organisations, she brings invaluable insight and leadership. Sarah’s expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our support for air ambulance charities and ensuring the sector continues to deliver lifesaving care across the UK.”
Madelene Holdsworth, Managing Director –Specialist Legal Services at Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK said:
“Our serious injury team has a long track record in supporting individuals and their families following life-changing injury and we understand the importance of aftercare and the need for greater access to expert and bespoke support. Working alongside Air Ambulances UK, we are proud to have created this ‘first of its kind’ fund which will help to enable that.”
Air Ambulances UK has welcomed a new Ambassador: Eve, the founder of the social media campaign ‘Let’s Make A Difference!’. Launched three years ago, the campaign has grown to have a combined follower count of over a million people. Its mission is to create social change, primarily by sharing a ‘sign of the day’ to raise awareness of communication challenges faced by individuals, particularly those with selective mutism and other communication difficulties.
Eve says:
“I’ve personally struggled with communication due to my Autism Spectrum Disorder, and in 2019, when I began high school, I became completely mute. This led to numerous challenges, as simple tasks like expressing that I wasn’t feeling well became impossible. Fortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic provided me with an opportunity to learn British Sign Language (BSL), which enabled me to communicate my basic needs at school.
“Recognising that others were facing similar struggles, I decided to share my journey and knowledge through ‘Let’s Make A Difference.’ Over the past three years, I’ve been fortunate to have the support of an amazing community of individuals and organisations, including Air Ambulances UK.”
“I was honoured to be asked to join the AAUK’s team as an Ambassador. In this role, I’m proud to help raise awareness of their lifesaving work, using sign language to amplify their message and celebrate the incredible contributions of their teams across the nation.”
Boundless is a membership club open to individuals who currently work for, or have previously worked for, a publicly funded organisation, such as the NHS. Boundless has two membership options, Boundless and Boundless Plus, providing a range of leisure products and services, including free days out, exclusive member events, discounted shopping and insurance savings.
Anyone signing up to Boundless through this link Air Ambulances UK | Boundless by CSMA will see £10 donated by Boundless to AAUK.
Boundless Plus can unlock over £600 in savings, including free access to iconic UK attractions, exclusive dining deals and motoring discounts. This is all for just £68 per year – and guarantees £10 to AAUK.
Airway: Hello Lindsay and thank you for talking to Airway. What are your first impressions after a few months in post?
Lindsay Boswell: My initial observations are that AAUK has a really motivated, dedicated, hard-working, high-achieving team. Alongside that, I could see that somewhere along the line the Association’s forensic focus on supporting air ambulance charities to be the best they could be had been lost, with a little too much focus on the growth of AAUK itself.
Airway: There have clearly been tensions in the past around AAUK’s fundraising and air ambulances’ regional fundraising: would you agree?
LB: Yes there have been, and while the Board of AAUK were very focused on supporting air ambulances, maybe the execution of the strategy had become a little bit more about growing the reach, scale and impact of AAUK rather than the air ambulance charities themselves. The good news is that this is easily recalibrated.
Airway: What are your immediate priorities?
LB: The first priority is to remember that we are here to serve. Every air ambulance charity wants to have the biggest positive impact it possibly can and our number one goal is to identify where we can help members achieve that.
AAUK’s new Interim CEO, Lindsay Boswell, has announced some significant changes to the way AAUK operates. Airway caught up with him to ask a few questions…
There are three main areas: firstly raising the profile of air ambulances to the general public, so more people understand why they’re so special, leading to more regular giving.
Secondly, representing the work of air ambulances to all key audiences who can influence the sector. This is principally national and regional governments; this work is already underway.
Thirdly, accessing UK-wide and cross-region funding that individual air ambulance charities wouldn’t otherwise be able to access. At no stage will we compete with any air ambulance charity: we will simply add value where we can.
Airway: How has the response been so far from air ambulance charities?
LB: Really positive. There have been some robust challenges, which I welcome because it helps to clarify where we can add value in the future and where we may have gone off course in the past. What has come through loud and clear is the desire from everyone to work collaboratively.
Airway: How will AAUK’s relationship with the membership change?
LB: The main change is that there will no longer be membership of AAUK. The relationship we need to have with each air ambulance charity is way more subtle than membership which is too binary, too transactional and too inflexible. We must create a space for a more collegiate way of working where everyone can learn from each other and work together for the greater good of the sector. However, we must also acknowledge that not every service will want to be involved, or agree with, every endeavour.
Your job title is Interim CEO - how long will you be here?
I expect to be here for the rest of 2025 during which time the Chair and Trustees will form a view of what they want from the next CEO. I want to hand over an organisation focused on where it can add value to air ambulance charities and which has clear strands of work to deliver that added value. My job is to manage the change process and set the organisation on the path to a
The air ambulance world is used to being at the front line of progress; indeed it prides itself on its agility and innovation when it comes to embracing new technology and ideas in the clinical field, as well as in flight operations. But there’s one area that currently outstrips all others when it comes to the speed of change – Artificial Intelligence (AI).
It is no longer a matter of writing about the future when it comes to AI; it is here now and anyone not using it is getting left behind. In 2024, 61% of charities used AI, which increased from 27% in 2023, according to the Charity Digital Skills Report 2024 – a huge leap.
The Charity Commission comments:
“AI has the potential to bring about many benefits, particularly if it can help charities free up valuable time spent on resource-intensive tasks, and so make more hours available for high priority areas. In our conversations with the sector, we hear that Generative AI, which uses prompts from humans to create both written and picture content, is amongst the fastest expanding areas. Some charities are finding the writing tools helpful for fundraising materials, bid writing, speeches or drafting policies, while ‘speech to text’ tools take meeting minutes. There are also emerging opportunities to use AI directly in service delivery.”
“The problem for many charities is that they really know and understand community fundraising but don’t know corporates, and how to raise money from them, quite so well. Companies like it when charities approach them for a good reason, where their values match, and with an engaging proposal containing ideas that no-one else has thought of. AI has great potential to help.
“For example, you can use ChatGPT to ask what sectors would like to work with you and would be a good and enthusiastic fit. Next you can look up sector trends and learn what companies’ pain points are and how you can help address them. AI will, in an instant, review everything from the company and its industry across websites and social media. So then the charity can go into the company with both sector and community knowledge, making immediate contact with the company in the place they are at.
“You can then use AI to create proposals on the work you could do together, use software like Otter AI to record online meetings, summarise them, create case studies and then use AI to help create engagement campaigns and programmes. But time is of the essence – within 12 months, most charities will be using AI, so get ahead now.”
AI charity consultancy Dataro has been working with a number of UK air ambulance charities; John Roberts, Head of Sales UK, explains:
“We plug our software into the charity’s database, access their fundraising data and use machine learning models to find patterns in fundraising behaviour as a way to look for future donors. We test the model’s accuracy through various checks, including by back-testing (testing a predictive model on historical data). Then we can establish what kind of giver we should target and ensure they receive the right correspondence through the right channels at the right time.
“We can also now build models based on lookalike audiences to help predict which donors might be a charity’s best givers in five years’ time. Then communications and advertising can be targeted towards people who are likely to be big donors over the next five years.
“What we see as the future is helping charities to be much more tailored and personalised in their dealings with donors – right down to the individual level. If a charity has a retention problem, it is because donor journeys are not personalised enough. Seasonal appeals, for example, are more about the charity than the donor and may exist just because they’ve always existed. In the future, machine learning will evaluate every single donor at such depth that the charity will engage with each individual at very targeted moments when they are most likely to give.”
So, does it work? It’s early days but things are looking positive for North West Air Ambulance Charity (NWAA). CRM Manager Robert Parkin commented:
“We’ve been using Dataro to assist with our regular giving fundraising. This has included increasing existing support, reducing the amount of cancellations and re-engaging with lapsed supporters. The overall aim has been to give our supporters a better journey with NWAA. So far, it’s been running for five months and has been really successful. We’ve reduced our cancellation rate, whilst increasing our conversion rate to 40%, which is much higher than the normal regular giving conversion rate.
“We’ve also utilised a Chatbot on the NWAA website, which hasbeen created byChat2Impact (EBM), and integrated with our CRM Donorfy. It allows you to point it at webpages on your website and it scrapes the information to
The Charity Commission encourages charities to go into AI use with their eyes open:
“It is wise to proceed with caution as there are risks inherent to the way AI is built, operates, and continues to learn. AI is a work in progress so won’t always get things right. Generative AI models can confidently produce inaccurate, plagiarised, copyrightinfringing or biased results without any awareness that the results it has offered may be problematic.
“Trustees remain responsible for decision making - trustees may not be complying with their duties if a charity relies solely on AI-generated advice to make a critical decision without undertaking reasonable independent checks to confirm its accuracy.
“It is important too that charities are compliant with wider legal obligations – these can include taking care around copyright, and avoiding harmful content. Risks can be increased when AI is put to use directly in charity operations – in particular data security, especially GDPR alongside other legal and regulatory challenges. Charities with beneficiaries who might be at higher risk, such as those who hold sensitive data like medical information, will need to be particularly mindful of the level of risk.”
Away from fundraising, London’s Air Ambulance Charity, together with Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), Barts Health and the University of Aberdeen, is looking into using AI insights to improve pre-hospital care.
A £1.8 million study, led by QMUL, will support a clinical trial using the Artificial Intelligence in Trauma Risk Prediction System (AI-TRiPS) to support clinical decision-making on the scene of an incident.
Dr Zane Perkins, Consultant at London’s Air Ambulance, said:
“Every second counts in the treatment of critically injured patients, and tools like AI-TRiPS have the potential to provide our teams with life-saving insights in real time. This research represents a bold step forward in improving outcomes for our patients and London’s Air Ambulance is proud to be part of this ground-breaking study.”
AI-TRiPs is an AI-powered, decision-support tool designed to assist in time-critical medical decision-making for severely injured patients. AI-TRiPS will be deployed across the London Trauma System, the largest integrated trauma network in the world, serving the 10 million people who visit, live and work in the capital.
Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of AI-TRiPs in supporting doctors to assess life-threatening complications – such as severe blood loss – and helping them take action to improve outcomes. If successful, this initiative could revolutionise trauma care worldwide and help save thousands of lives.
The AI algorithms, developed by trauma surgeons, military experts and computer scientists, integrate cutting-edge trauma research, registry data and clinical expertise. The system offers evidence-based predictions about the risks faced by critically injured patients and guidance on how best to manage these.
Importantly, the system explains the reasoning behind its predictions, ensuring transparency with an ‘open box’ design that can be understood and explored by clinical users.
The clinical trial, supported by the University of Aberdeen’s Clinical Trials Unit, began with a year of development and regulatory approvals in January 2025. Patient recruitment will follow in early 2026, with results expected in 2027.
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) has developed a bereavement-focused patient film, Navigating Grief after Sudden and Traumatic Loss. This powerful and empathetic resource delves into the complexities of grief through the lived experiences of two families supported by EHAAT’s dedicated Patient & Family Liaison Team.
Through years of working closely with bereaved families, EHAAT has identified a recurring theme of profound isolation, with many grieving individuals feeling that no-one truly understands their pain.
Now EHAAT’s Navigating Grief after Sudden and Traumatic Loss film gives a voice to those who have faced the heartbreak of sudden loss, offering solace and understanding to others who may be experiencing similar circumstances.
By sharing the stories of two families who lost a loved one in sudden and unexpected circumstances, EHAAT aims to inspire open discussions around grief and foster greater empathy and resilience within communities.
Cornwall Air Ambulance has announced that the build of its second helicopter has been completed, and the aircraft has officially been accepted by the charity.
The AW169 has been built at Leonardo Helicopters’ production facility in Milan and was collected by two Cornwall Air Ambulance pilots; it is now in Gloucester where it will undergo its medical fit, which is expected to take several months.
This final stage of the process coincides with the Heli2 Appeal now having almost reached the £2.85million target.
Paul Westaway, Consultant in Operations Projects at Cornwall Air Ambulance, said:
“This has been an incredibly complex process involving every element of the aircraft from the build, to configurations, test flights, and the transfer back to the UK whilst making sure all aviation authority rules and regulations are met. It has been a pleasure to work with Leonardo, to be able to provide the very best possible AW169 helicopter for the people we serve, and we are incredibly grateful to the team for their hard work on delivering the aircraft.”
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) is set to launch a new Airbus H145 D3. It is currently in production and will receive its customised aeromedical fit-out, along with some modification, before being ready for operational service with SCAA later this year. The state-of-the-art twin-engine, five-rotor, aircraft will replace an existing EC 135 at the charity’s Aberdeen base.
SCAA Chief Executive David Craig said:
“The H145 D3 is an aircraft that will help fly SCAA into the next decade. No-one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time and this new helicopter will offer greater range, endurance and capacity which significantly enhances our life-saving service.”
A new 10-year contract with aviation partner Babcock will also see crews at both Aberdeen and Perth equipped with Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) technology to maximise operational capability.
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has announced the appointment of Jason Holt as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Jason brings extensive leadership skills and a wealth of experience, having chaired several complex organisations in logistics and medical healthcare; he also has a background sitting on charity boards for armed forces’ personnel wellbeing.
For the Neville family from Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, 26 October 2019 turned from a family day out to celebrate their daughter Anna’s 11th birthday into a disaster with life-changing consequences.
Anna had chosen a day of motocross with her brothers at Magilligan Moto X Track, near Limavady. The whole Neville family were at the track that Saturday afternoon and Anna and her brothers were completing their second session when suddenly there was a commotion on the track where people starting shouting and waving for help. Grace rushed to the scene where she found Anna had fallen off her bike and dad Andrew was shouting for help.
Anna was having a seizure and making choking sounds so Andrew removed her helmet and held her head. At once they could see blood coming out of her ears, nose and mouth. Anna’s eyes were rolling uncontrollably, and her breathing had started to become very laboured.
The emergency services were phoned immediately and a NIAS road crew soon arrived, followed by the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) helicopter. Grace recalls, “I remember looking up and seeing the helicopter hovering above us and then seconds later two men in red running towards Anna. The Air Ambulance NI team brought complete calmness and professionalism to the chaotic scenes we were facing and they worked on Anna for over 45 minutes.”
Anna was in a lot of pain and was drifting in and out of consciousness, so the HEMS team decided to put Anna into a medically induced coma at the scene in order to prevent any further damage to her brain.
Anna’s parents waited anxiously as the team worked on her. Grace remembers asking the AANI doctor why she wasn’t away to the hospital yet and he calmly replied, “The hospital is already here, and her treatment has already begun, we will do everything to help Anna.”
The HEMS team then flew Anna to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) in less than 30 minutes – a 90-minute journey by road.
The initial assessments on Anna were not positive. Every part of Anna’s brain had received a trauma injury and for the first three days, she was not expected to live. Anna had a fractured skull, multiple bleeds on the brain, collapsed lung, detached retina and damage to her hearing as well as multiple fractures.
After some weeks, things then began to look a little more positive, with doctors beginning to see signs that Anna might live, although they said it would be unlikely if she would ever walk and talk again. However, more positive news followed and Anna continued to defy the odds as the weeks progressed. She was finally allowed home in February 2020 to continue her recovery. Grace and Andrew recall, “Watching Anna say goodbye to the doctors and nurses was very emotional, we were both nervous and excited for Anna to start a new chapter in her recovery, a journey made possible by the amazing efforts of the Air Ambulance team; we are forever thankful”.
Anna made a miraculous recovery over the next twelve
“She started Year 8 in Cookstown High School and she is in the top class. She is very much still on the road to recovery – her short-term memory and processing skills are still improving and she has lost her hearing in one ear but without the work of the entire Air Ambulance NI team, it could have been so much worse.” Since her accident, Anna has been inspired so much by the flying medical service, she has a renewed determination to fufill her dream of becoming an air traffic controller.
Grace and Andrew add: “Without this life saving service, the outcome for Anna would have been very different. The expertise, professionalism and compassion of the entire Air Ambulance NI Team is outstanding –they hold a very special place in our hearts.”
In April 2020, Paul Maycock suffered a cardiac arrest while cycling in West Kingsdown, Kent. Passers-by performed CPR for 18 minutes until the team from Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) arrived and provided critical roadside care. Paul was then flown to King’s College Hospital for further treatment.
Paul tells the story in his own words: It was a nice day and I decided to go for a bike ride around our village of West Kingsdown. I’d just turned onto the main road and… well, that was the last thing I can remember.
In order to protect against brain injury from lack of oxygen, the KSS team put me into an induced coma. I’d also fractured my skull despite wearing a helmet, and had multiple rib fractures.
When I was stable, I was flown to King’s College Hospital in London for further treatment.
I later learnt that I’d had a cardiac arrest and crashed my bike. I was dying, and my fight for survival had begun.
The car behind me stopped and the passengers immediately called the emergency services. A KSS dispatcher listening in to that call made sure their helicopter and crew were on their way.
Then a second car stopped and, fortunately, one of the passengers knew how to perform CPR. Along with a critical care paramedic from SECAmb who also arrived on scene, he kept me alive for 18 minutes. When the air ambulance arrived, the incredibly skilled and professional KSS team swung into action.
Thanks to the skill and speed of the KSS team and the prompt action of the people who stopped to help me, I not only survived but made a full recovery. Immediate critical cardiac care is essential. That’s what saved my life. Without the quick actions of passers-by and the speed and skill of KSS, I simply wouldn’t be here.
Give A Little is a software platform that aims to be the most easy-to-use, flexible and affordable way for charities to collect cashless donations. It has helped over 9,500 charities collect over £50m in cashless donations, including contactless, chip+PIN and online via web links or QR codes.
The platform is used by charities including Cancer Research UK, Oxfam, War Child, London Zoo and the Eden Project – as well as a number of air ambulances including Wales Air Ambulance, East Anglian Air Ambulance and The Air Ambulance Service.
The Give A Little software platform provides charities with a tool to create and customise fundraising campaigns that are displayed on donation stations for contactless donations or on the web (including QR codes). Charities can manage their donation stations, maximise revenues, run detailed reports, and manage users of their account such as admins and volunteers.
The platform is designed to link and support device partners (CollecTin and Payaz) and payment processors (SumUp and Stripe).
Charities find a number of features invaluable, such as the ability to take offline donations; recurring monthly contactless donations; and Give&Go donations where the donor can donate quickly without needing to interact with the screen.
If budget is a key consideration, charities can even create their own DIY point of donation by combining an Android device running the Give A Little app with a SumUp Air or Stripe WisePad 3 card reader. The DIY approach can also be a good option if charities want a creative, bespoke point of donation.
Case Study example: It is also possible to collect contactless donations using a smartphone without the need for an additional card reader, thanks to Give A Little Tap to Pay. Wales Air Ambulance is using this in combination with CollecTin More contactless donation boxes, which use Give A Little software. Tap to Pay is a practical solution for the charity, which covers a huge geographical area. They use Give A Little Tap to Pay for community events and occasions where there are several events happening at the same time.
The Give A Little software gives the donor the choice of how much they would like to donate rather than fundraising staff having to awkwardly ask them. It also saves the charity money by not having to send a card reader out to a particular location. It also allows the charity to easily take immediate, spontaneous donations.
For more information, visit https://givealittle.co/ or email hello@givealittle.co
As 2025 began, four new helicopters came into service following a flurry of deliveries from Airbus Helicopters UK’s new Oxford factory.
First were the two H135s now in full service with London’s Air Ambulance where they replaced the pair of MD902s in the culmination of a £16 million fundraising drive featuring Prince William, David Beckham and an Omaze house.
Jonathan Jenkins, CEO of London’s Air Ambulance Charity, said: “The arrival of our new Airbus helicopters is truly momentous for our charity.
“This incredible milestone could not have been achieved without the unwavering support of our donors, communities and businesses across London. Special thanks in particular has to go to Airbus for the successful delivery of our fantastic new aircraft, as well as Omaze and the London Freemasons as the two largest contributors to the appeal total.”
The other moves both involved Airbus’ H145 which is rapidly becoming the helicopter of choice for UK operators attracted by the upgraded performance and smooth ride resulting from the introduction of the five-bladed bearingless rotor version, sometimes known as the D3.
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has acquired a wholly-owned H145, fitted out with its medical interior at Oxford, to replace its last remaining leased Airbus H135.
Allister McNeil, critical care paramedic for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are already seeing the benefit of the new aircraft. The larger interior and even smoother flight due to the aircraft having five blades will aid our ability to give patients the best treatment during their onward transfer to hospital.”
Finally, just before Christmas Day, Airbus handed over Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) third and final H145 – G-YAIR – ensuring unprecedented operational resilience for a highly self-reliant operator.
YAA said: “The H145 D3 helicopter is one of the most advanced models of its kind, boasting innovative features designed to enhance efficiency and patient care. These include a five-bladed main rotor that significantly reduces vibrations, ensuring a smoother ride for patients and crew alike, while integrated onboard Wi-Fi and secure communication systems allow patient data to be transmitted to hospitals in real time, enabling hospital teams to prepare for patients’ arrival before they land, saving precious time in critical situations.
“Inside the cabin, the medical crew benefits from a modern wheeled stretcher system, making patient loading and unloading faster and easier. This system reduces the need for manual lifting, improving both efficiency and safety during missions.”
