WILL YOU HELP US TO SAVE A LIFE?
Your donations help us be there for people in remote locations, in need of urgent medical care.
MAKE A DONATION TODAY!
Per month can pay for fuel towards flying 6 miles to the nearest trauma centre.
If 100 people like you, gave just £23, we can fund another lifesaving mission to save someone like Helen.
Can buy a traction splint to reduce femoral fractures in remote locations.
HELEN'S STORY
Experienced walker Helen Keats was enjoying a family walk at the top of Mam Tor hill in the Peak District when she slipped on muddy ground. “I heard something snap and when I looked down my right foot was sticking out at an odd angle.” she recalls. Her daughter Amber called 999 and used what3words to share their position.
Due to their remote location, Edale Mountain Rescue Team and your local Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) were both called to attend the incident. When the critical care crew arrived, they discovered Helen had a fracture to her ankle. Strong pain relief was administered, and a vacuum splint applied. Mountain Rescue Team members helped stretcher Helen to our helicopter where we flew her to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.
“When I saw the helicopter in the sky, I got emotional. It must have been sheer relief.” says Helen.
In just 7 minutes Helen landed on the hospital’s helipad. Without air ambulance intervention, Helen would’ve been carried down the hill by mountain rescue and driven by land ambulance along rural roads to Sheffield. A much longer alternative journey which took Amber and Helen’s husband, Robin, over 90 minutes.
Helen underwent an operation to repair the damage to her foot and ankle. Four days later she was discharged and driven back to her home in Plymouth, sitting in a wheelchair in a specially adapted vehicle.
“We think that the air ambulance is truly a lifesaver and deserves to get all the money it needs, even in the current crisis. It’s an absolute necessity.” shared Helen’s family.
Helen’s story had a positive outcome because of our amazing supporters. Your kind donations made her rescue possible. Thank you for your support. We simply couldn’t do this without you.
The crew were so efficient and very professional. They couldn’t have done anything better. We would like to thank the air ambulance crew, mountain rescue team and all the kind people who asked if we needed help when we were waiting for the emergency services to arrive.
Your donations helped us reach over 3,500 people who needed our help in 2023. Each rescue mission costs over £2,300, but your donation today, whatever the amount, will ensure we help more people in their time of need like Helen.
If 100 people like you, gave just £23, we can fund another lifesaving mission to save someone like Helen.
Donate
If you’d like to donate on our regular giving
Regular gifts enable us to plan, giving us sustainable long-term income and are easily set up on our donate form. Payments come out once a month via Direct Debit and can be as little or as much as you choose, as any gift, no matter the size, help to keep our helicopters flying.
Get involved in our fundraising events
Organise your own incredible challenge event, come to one of our fundraising dinners, or join an event and challenge yourself to help raise awareness and vital funds for our services