Air ambulance launches appeal for new helicopter

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help fund a second helicopter.

The charity is hoping to raise the final £500,000 needed to get the helicopter in the air by late summer 2027.

It secured a spot on the production line for the new aircraft last year and has now secured pledges and donations for most of the £7m needed.

Chief executive Karen Jobling said: "The reality is that demand is now outgrowing what one helicopter can deliver."

The service has seen a large increase in demand in recent years. On average, the helicopter is flying five missions a day, up from four a day last year.

The new helicopter is a 177mph twin-engine AW109 GrandNew.

Jobling said: "A second helicopter will mean we can reach around 400 additional patients every year and ensure more families get the chance to have their loved one return home.

"Every day there are major incidents happening but with one helicopter we can't be in two places at once.

"That's incredibly difficult because we know every call represents someone's loved one."

Several fundraising events have been planned by the charity, including the Lincoln Dragon Boat Festival on 11 July.

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