WARWICKSHIRE’S lifesaving helicopters will take centre stage at The Air Ambulance Service’s (TAAS) Open Day on Saturday (August 21).
The charity, which operates the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA), Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), and national Children’s Air Ambulances (TCAA), is encouraging the public to join them at the free event at Northamptonshire’s Althorp Estate.
The public can see the state-of-the-art Warwickshire and Northamptonshire AgustaWestland 109SP helicopter, the Children’s AgustaWestland 169 helicopter, as well as the vital critical care car.
There will be live music and a variety of activities and entertainment throughout the day, numerous stalls, and many food and drinks vendors to choose from.
Former patient Letitia Hayward from Loddington – who is eternally grateful to the charity after it flew to her aid when she was involved in a side-to-side collision with an oncoming bus – will be telling her own personal account of WNAA this Saturday.
She said: “Without the local air ambulance I may not be here today, so it is really important that we show them our support at their Open Day.
“The Air Ambulance Service receives no government or national lottery funding for their daily missions, and they rely entirely on donations for each rescue mission.
“We know that the past 18 months or so has been enormously difficult for everyone, but the Air Ambulance Service has continued to work as normal on the frontline – 24/7 – supporting the NHS when it mattered most, and saving more lives.”
TAAS Community Fundraising Executive Darcy Hodges said: “The Open Day is really set to be a great day out where the public, supporters, and former patients can see our fabulous fleet up-close, and learn more about our services.
“There are so many great things happening, from fire-eaters and balloon modellers, to dance acts and meeting the Children’s Air Ambulance club’s official mascot, Blade – we really do encourage people to join us.”
The gates open at 11am on Saturday and close at 4pm. Visit www.events.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/events for free tickets.
Visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999 to learn more about the charity.
