London’s Air Ambulance Charity announces most successful Gala in its history

This is the equivalent of over 400 potentially life-saving missions, helping the capital’s only helicopter emergency service to continue to provide immediate hospital level care to the 10 million people who live, work, and travel in the capital. The need for support is particularly great as the Charity must raise an additional £15million by 2024 to replace their current helicopter fleet.

The gala was attended by the charity’s Patron, HRH Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge.

The Duke met with some of the heroic medical and operational crew to thank them for their service, as well as meeting an inspirational patient of the service, Bruno, whose life was saved by the London’s Air Ambulance team when he was just 11.

Bruno and his father, Daniel Machado, later gave a powerful speech to the assembled guests. The Duke also delivered a moving speech in support of the charity and its appeal for two new helicopters. As an air ambulance pilot himself, the Duke has witnessed the positive impact of rapid response trauma work first-hand.

‘First class care when Londoners need it most’

“What struck me when working as an air ambulance pilot was how serious injury does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone. At any time. In any place. Just one moment can turn a life upside down,” said Prince William. “Earlier this evening, I had the great privilege to meet a young man named Bruno, and his father Daniel. At age 11, Bruno was knocked off his scooter by a vehicle and suffered a serious brain injury. London’s Air Ambulance flew to him immediately, arriving within minutes to bring the hospital to his side and saving his life."

“As a charity, London’s Air Ambulance is reliant on support from the public. Tonight, your generosity will go towards this ambitious plan and will enable the charity to do even more in the future to deliver first class care when Londoners need it most,” he added.

The event, held at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square, was also attended by a number of VIP guests, including Tamara Beckwith and her husband Giorgio Veroni. Sotheby’s Chairman Sir Harry Dalmeny was the auctioneer for the evening and the event was hosted by presenter and comedian Sindhu Vee. Entertainment was provided by Alessandro Ristori and the Portofinos, and Saloon Star.

Jonathan Jenkins, CEO of London’s Air Ambulance Charity said;

“When a patient is critically injured, there is often no time to get that person to hospital. In those instances, our teams can provide a lifeline, arriving within 11 minutes to perform advanced interventions at scene to try and save a life. But they can only be there thanks to our generous supporters. It costs around £10million to deliver our service, the vast majority of which we have to find from donations. In addition, we know that by 2024 we also need to raise an additional £15million so we can replace our current helicopter fleet.”

London Air Ambulance’s newly appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees will oversee the modernization and expansion of the charity’s air and ground fleets. Primarily funded by charitable donations, the service is also run in partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust and the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Barts Health NHS Trust provides the doctors, some financial support, and the helipad facilities at The Royal London Hospital. The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides the paramedics and the emergency infrastructure to dispatch the service 24 hours a day.