Air ambulance launches £100,000 appeal

The East Anglian Air Ambulance has launched an emergency appeal to raise vital funds to protect its staff - and help save lives in Peterborough and beyond.

The charity has had to quickly adapt its operating procedures and source large amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to keep its two critical care teams safe and able to support the region’s emergency services.

The estimated cost of acquiring the additional PPE now required over a six-month period is over £100,000.

The charity has launched an emergency appeal for donations to help fund the PPE.

More than £25,000 of unbudgeted funds has already been spent on items such as respirators, high-protection masks, visors, suits, gowns and goggles to protect the doctors and critical care paramedics.

The charity has also had to source different filters for its life-saving equipment to prevent contamination, and large amounts of medical cleaning wipes which are proven to kill the virus, so that they can deep-clean equipment between missions.

Richard Hindson, head of operations at East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: “At a time like this we can’t take any chances with the safety of our crews, but we also need to be able to provide the same level of care for our patients.

“Please donate what you can to help.”

Support the EAAA PPE Appeal by:

Phone: 03450 669 999 today and donate by debit or credit card (08.30am-5.00pm) Text: PPE 5 to 70085 to donate £5, text PPE 10 to give £10, or PPE 20 to give £20* Visit: www.eaaa.org.uk/PPE and donate online