Air Ambulance may move from East Midlands Airport base
20.08.07
The charity funded air ambulance that covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland may move to the West Midlands. The East Midlands Ambulance Service said operations were being reviewed and they were negotiating cover for the area with other charities.
The helicopter, which is currently based at East Midlands Airport, is paid for by the County Air Ambulance Trust. However, volunteer fundraisers in Leicestershire have been told not to accept any more donations for the service.
The County Air Ambulance, which was set up in 1991, operates three helicopters over 11 counties including the East Midlands, West Midlands and part of Wales. The charity relies on donations of £3m each year to keep the service going.
Its third helicopter based at East Midlands Airport was unveiled in 1999. An East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) spokesman said: 'The helicopter currently serves Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands and in due course it will focus on Staffordshire and the West Midlands.'
'We are looking to take this opportunity to expand cover with existing and new partners, with no diminution of the service and strong air ambulance charities continuing to service the needs of the community with the active support of the East Midlands Ambulance Service.'
Tony Stimpson, a fundraiser for the County Air Ambulance, said he would work to raise money for a replacement if the current service ended. He said: 'I'm sure that there are going to be a number of companies and people in Leicestershire and Derbyshire who are prepared to come forward with donations, which will enable us to set up an independent trust.'
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book east midlands airport hotels or east midlands airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great east midlands airport parking and east midlands airport hotels price comparison pages.
