Rugby’s Member of Parliament Mark Pawsey has visited staff at Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance’s HQ in the town centre to thank them for the lifesaving work they do all year round.
The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service moved to new premises at Clifton House in Butlers Leap in 2016 and has continued to grow ever since. Last year, Air Ambulance crews attended 1,949 rescue missions last year. This year they have already flown over 300 missions, every one of which helps save lives. Their average response time is just 13 minutes, which is often the difference between life and death.
During his visit, Mark spoke to staff, including the Service’s Chief Executive Officer Andy Williamson, about the growth of the Trust as it approaches its 15th year of serving people in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.
Speaking after meeting with staff at the Air Ambulance Service, Mark said:
“The Air Ambulance Service is an amazing charity which I have been proud to support for many years now. During my visit I was able to see some of the improvements that they have been able to make since their move to Butler’s Leap in the heart of Rugby.”
Mark continued:
“It is only thanks to the incredible generosity of our community that the Air Ambulance Service is able to operate. The trust is funded entirely from donations and the trust’s first dedicated shop was opened in our town, and I know that this has proved a great success, raising thousands of pounds to help keep the air ambulances flying.”
Mark concluded:
“None of us would ever hope to need the help of the Air Ambulance, but for those who did need them their arrival can often mean the difference between life and death. I know that everyone in our community will want to join me in thanking Andy and his team for the incredible care the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service provide 365 days a year.”
Andy Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of the Air Ambulance Service added:
“We were delighted to show Mark Around our new home in Rugby. He has been a staunch supporter for many years and has been a strong advocate of our charity model working in an effective partnership with the NHS. It is nice to have an MP with a very genuine interest in our work and the community we serve and we are appreciative of all he does for us”