On 12 July, London Members of Parliament, Peers and Council Leaders demonstrated their support for the London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s contribution to the Capital’s safety.  

The event was hosted by Mary Macleod, Brentford & Isleworth MP, and Rushanara Ali, Bethnal Green & Bow MP, and was kindly sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management.  MP Mary Macleod met some of the patients who have been helped and the members of crew who save lives in the Capital every day. Mary has pledged her support by generating awareness of the Charity both in her constituency and across London and plans to raise the issue of future funding of London’s Air Ambulance in Parliament.  In 2011, London’s Air Ambulance attended 4 serious incidents in the Borough of Hounslow.

Mary commented: “London’s Air Ambulance provides a life-saving service for over 10 million people who live, work and commute within the M25. I think many people will be surprised to learn that there is currently only one helicopter serving the whole of London. I strongly support the fund-raising campaign being led by Dr Julian Thompson and I am delighted to help in any way I can to support their efforts to bring another helicopter into operation.”

Other attendees included London’s Air Ambulance patients, doctors, paramedics, pilots and charity staff as well as London Members of Parliament, Peers and Council Leaders.  This group of leading London politicians included representatives from across the entire area within the M25 that London’s Air Ambulance serves. During the reception they pledged their support to raise awareness and support this vital charity in their local areas.

London’s Air Ambulance continues to deliver excellent medical care with one helicopter and medical team. With demands on the service ever increasing, more resources are required to expand the service by providing a second helicopter and increased medical teams. London’s Air Ambulance has an international reputation for clinical excellence and delivers pioneering procedures which have been adopted across the world.  More investment in its research and development arm allows it to continue to be at the forefront of medical innovation and to enhance its training arm.

Commenting on the event, Dr Julian Thompson, Executive Director of London’s Air Ambulance, said:  “We greatly appreciate the support of so many leading London politicians for this life saving charity. London’s Air Ambulance provides world leading care to the people of London but relies upon donations from the public to maintain our high standards.

“The demands on our clinical service are increasing each year and we need build upon our 20 years of experience, caring for over 26,000 patients, to develop the scale of service that Londoners deserve. 

“London’s Air Ambulance is an independent provider of a valuable public service. At this most challenging of times we need the support of the communities we serve to ensure that we are there for Londoners at their moment of greatest need.”