About Us
Saving Time and Saving Lives
For over 25 years, Cornwall Air Ambulance has been providing a vital helicopter emergency service to the community of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, flying 365 days a year and attending an average of 3-4 emergency missions every single day.
From its base at Newquay Cornwall Airport, Cornwall’s air ambulance helicopter can reach any part of the county within 20 minutes, and the Isles of Scilly in 28 minutes. This dedicated purpose built and highly equipped aircraft flies at 140mph, and on average arrives on scene within 12 minutes of a 999 call, significantly reducing the time taken to get seriously ill patients the treatment they need - in hospital or on-scene. In very many cases over the last 25 years, this has made the difference between life and death.
The Cornwall Air Ambulance was the first service of its kind in the UK, and Cornwall particularly lends itself to an air ambulance service. The widely scattered population, remote communities, and easily congested road networks make the use of conventional ambulances more difficult. Our beaches, cliff tops and moorland areas attract many people, some of whom participate in water sports and extreme sports, a vital part of our tourism and leisure economy, but a factor which also increases the incidence and severity of accidents.
We attend around 1,000 incidents each year, with current missions numbers well in excess of 23,000 flights. Our distinctive red and yellow helicopter remains one of the busiest in the UK, and is tasked several times every day, giving Cornwall a hardworking value for money service.
Funded by the People of Cornwall
Cornwall Air Ambulance receives no direct government or National Lottery funding, and so relies entirely on the generosity of our supporters - both in Cornwall and further afield.
I
n 2012, the cost of keeping the Cornwall Air Ambulance flying and serving the community is around £33,000 per week. Around £2 million will need to be raised to keep this lifesaving helicopter flying.
n 2012, the cost of keeping the Cornwall Air Ambulance flying and serving the community is around £33,000 per week. Around £2 million will need to be raised to keep this lifesaving helicopter flying.The Cornish people are justifiably proud of their air ambulance, and especially of the fact that it was the first of its kind in the UK. The succesful model pioneered in Cornwall has been copied across the country, where there are now 26 air ambulance helicopters, the majority funded by charitable donations just like ours in Cornwall.
The helicopter bears the wording “Funded by the People of Cornwall” along the fuselage, because whether through donations, legacies, the lottery or our collection jars, the people of this county that have remained steadfastly supportive and passionate about their air ambulance.
History
In April 1987, the air ambulance was introduced as an integral part of Cornwall’s ambulance service. The initial funding provided by the local health authority was withdrawn in October of that year, and shortly afterwards the charity, then known as the First Air Ambulance Service Trust, was formed. Following considerable publicity, the service was then financed by public fundraising and donations. This remains the case to this day, with fantastic support given by the people of Cornwall and local business.
The Charity is now known as the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, and is overseen by a group of professional business trustees, currently seven in number, bringing a range of skills and expertise from both the public and private sector in the county.
The Charity is now known as the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, and is overseen by a group of professional business trustees, currently seven in number, bringing a range of skills and expertise from both the public and private sector in the county.