Parliamentarians from across Westminster came together this week to mark the vital work of Air Ambulances around the country, including the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
Mark, who is Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Air Ambulances, joined MPs in supporting Air Ambulance Services at a meeting of the APPG, which marked the beginning of National Air Ambulance Week 2017. This year the focus of National Air Ambulance Week is on the 30th anniversary of the formation of the first air ambulance service, which have now expanded to cover the whole of the United Kingdom.
Parliament also hosted the Air Ambulance’s Annual Dinner, sponsored by Mark. The dinner brought together trustees, staff and supporters of the Air Ambulance Service and heard from Andy Williamson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Air Ambulance about the work of the organisation and their future plans.
The Children’s Air Ambulance has recently commissioned two new Augusta Westland helicopters which will provide a fully comprehensive paediatric intensive care service to critically ill children across the UK.
Speaking during National Air Ambulance week, Mark said:
“The work of the Air Ambulance Trusts throughout the Country is really inspiring. Every day they fly on lifesaving missions and so far this year they have already attended nearly 100 missions within five miles of Rugby. During National Air Ambulance Week, we have heard from some of those who would not be here today if it not for their work.”
Mark continued:
“Rugby is home to the Air Ambulance Service Charity and I was delighted to learn that the Children’s Air Ambulance has commissioned two new state of the art helicopters which will enable the service to help even more children across the country. This represents the largest single investment into Air Ambulances ever made by a charity,”
Mark concluded:
“What is perhaps most remarkable about the Air Ambulance Services is that they are all charities and do not seek Government or National Lottery funding. Their ethos is that they are capable of raising the funding they need to operate independently and I know from personal experience that Rugby residents have always generously supported their important work.”