The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Air ambulance cash boost
Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery have helped fund more than 300 time-critical missions for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).
The life-saving charityfunded service has been supported by a total of £750,000 thanks to players in recent years.
With an average SCAA mission costing £2,500, players of the lottery have helped save hundreds of lives throughout Scotland.
People’s Postcode Lottery’s latest award of £200,000 to SCAA was delivered during lockdown as the charity faced reduced income from events and fundraising activities.
David Craig, SCAA’S chief executive, said the support of People’s Postcode Lottery had proved “a lifeline” – not just to those seriously ill or injured, but charity itself.
“SCAA relies entirely on public donations and it is support like this which has kept us flying and saving lives throughout these challenging times,” he said.
“We’re so grateful that players of People’s Postcode Lottery recognise the vital work SCAA does throughout the whole of Scotland.”
SCAA operates two fast response EC135 helicopter air ambulances, based at Perth and Aberdeen, which are available for tasking through the 999 service to emergencies in every corner of the country.
The support of players of the People’s Postcode Lottery has helped sustain the original service and launch the second aircraft at the start of the pandemic.
“We are extremely grateful to players of to the
People’s Postcode Lottery for their generous support and to the players who sustain this charitable giving,” Mr Craig added.
“The funding will help save lives.
“Those seriously ill or injured rely on SCAA’S vital pre-hospital emergency response helicopters and crews and we rely on the public to fund those flights.
“This generous support ensures we sustain what has become a vital frontline response service for the people of Scotland.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The service that SCAA provides is crucial to people all over Scotland. I’m thrilled that player funding will support more life-saving missions this year thanks to the hard work and dedication of the helicopter crews and paramedics.”