Have you received a call from us?
Have you received a call from someone saying they are from The Air Ambulance Service? Here is everything you need to know about our callers.
We are conducting a telephone fundraising campaign with a company called QTS during October – November 2024 if you are an existing supporter, you may receive a call.
Received a call from our fundraisers?
We contact people by telephone for several reasons; it may be to provide you with an update, to thank you for your help or to ask for your support.
Generally, you will receive a call from a member of our staff or a volunteer.
Occasionally, we may use an external company as part of our fundraising campaigns. Calling allows us to reach a wide audience, including individuals who may not be reached through other channels such as email or social media.
What to expect from our calls
Calls from our staff and volunteers
Our members of staff and volunteers will always provide their name and the reason for their call. If you have asked to donate in any way, a trained member of staff can take your details to process the donation.
Calls from agencies on our behalf
We will only work with professional companies who we have vetted. They will provide the details of the company they work for and explain that they are calling on behalf of The Air Ambulance Service. They may request your direct debit details if you agree to support us in this way and the direct debit will be processed by The Air Ambulance Service. External companies will not ask for your debit or credit card details.
Every day of the year your local air ambulance is helping to save lives
Our critical care paramedics, doctors, and pilots respond to an average of ten rescue missions daily, delivering lifesaving care within minutes at road traffic collisions, sports events, industrial accidents, and medical emergencies like cardiac arrests and strokes. With a helicopter that flies at 185 mph and carries the latest lifesaving equipment, we give people the best chance of survival and recovery.
Our service is also supported by Critical Care Cars, ensuring we’re available 24/7, even when weather conditions prevent flying. However, we receive no government or National Lottery funding and rely entirely on donations to raise the £2,300 needed for each mission.
Pip from Bakewell knows firsthand how crucial our service is. After being attacked by a herd of cows whilst out walking her dog, she suffered severe injuries including 34 broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and more. “My injuries were so serious I probably would not have survived if I had gone in a land ambulance.” she recalls. Thanks to our critical care crew, Pip was flown to the nearest major trauma centre in just 10 minutes. Your support makes stories like Pip’s possible.
Your support keeps little hearts flying
The Children’s Air Ambulance is transforming paediatric and neonatal care across the UK. Our national service provides high-speed transfers for critically ill babies and children, ensuring they reach specialist care as quickly as possible.
Our helicopters are specially designed as flying intensive care units, equipped to safely transport young patients. We work with 11 NHS paediatric retrieval teams, allowing them to bring their lifesaving equipment on board. If a child is too sick to fly, our service can transport specialist teams directly to them.
Time is critical during these transfers—every minute a child spends outside the hospital increases the risk. By flying at speeds up to four times faster than a land ambulance, we significantly reduce travel time and associated risks.
We receive no government or National Lottery funding and rely entirely on voluntary donations to fund our missions. Each mission costs £3,600, and your support is vital in keeping hope alive for families in need.
Your support keeps hope alive for families like Blaize’s. Seven-month-old Blaize’s life was saved when our service flew him to specialist care after his lung collapsed. “The doctors who saw him when we got there said that the speed of his arrival meant that there hadn’t been time for an infection to develop.” says Tash, Blaize’s Mum.
Your support ensures that stories like Blaize’s have a happy ending. Together, we can continue to be there providing high-speed transfers for critically ill babies and children that need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get in touch with The Air Ambulance Service?
To speak to our friendly Supporter Experience Team, please call 0300 3045 999* or complete our contact form and a member of our team will be in touch.
The phone call I received isn’t about fundraising. Who should I speak to?
If you have received a phone call about something else, and would like to speak to someone else, you can check out our full list of contact details on our contact us page.
Why are you using an agency to carry out this work?
We have an incredible team of fundraisers and volunteers who tirelessly raise awareness and funds for The Air Ambulance Service every day. However, our resources are limited, and partnering with an agency would allow us to reach more people and efficiently manage the logistics and challenges of a telephone campaign.
Why did I receive a phone call from QTS?
QTS Fundraising is an agency specialising in telephone fundraising. If you have any concerns or doubts, please get in touch with The Air Ambulance Service directly on 0300 3045 999*.
What time of the day might QTS call?
Monday to Friday: 10am to 8.30pm
Weekends: 10am to 5.30pm.
The caller will always ask if it is a convenient time for you to talk giving you the opportunity to decline.
Is signing up to a direct debit safe?
Direct Debits are easy, safe and secure, giving you full control on how much you wish to give and when. Your Direct Debit is protected by the UK’s Direct Debit guarantee, which protects you in the rare event that there is an error in the payment and lets you amend your Direct Debit at any time.
Is this activity regulated?
Yes. The Fundraising Regulator is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising. They set and maintain the standards for charitable fundraising, and aim to ensure that fundraising is respectful, open, honest and accountable to the public in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These codes are regularly updated. To find out more about the Fundraising Regulator, please visit their website.
*Our Supporter Experience Team are on hand Monday-Thursday 9am – 5pm and Fridays 9.30am – 5pm.