Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance thanks public for its support in a tough year

Before the world was hit with Covid-19, the charity was heavily focused on becoming a 24/7 operation, allowing them to deliver life-saving critical care day and night.

When the pandemic hit in March, these plans were temporarily scaled back as crew members were called to support the NHS during the first national lockdown.

As a result of the pandemic, the charity has now had to review every aspect of its operation.

Pilots, paramedics and doctors are dealing with the complexity of wearing full PPE in order to keep themselves, and patients safe.

With the help of generous supporters, the crews have remained on the frontline throughout the crisis, delivering critical care to adults and children involved in road traffic collisions, falls, industrial accidents and patients in cardiac arrest.

And it was able to expand its service by introducing a critical care care in Nottingham to help reach more patients in urgent need.

This service has proved invaluable, with doctors and paramedics on board responding to 102 missions in the first few months of operation.

However, one thing the charity could do nothing about was being forced to halt fundraising events and close all its charity shops due to ongoing Covid restrictions.

Again, generous members of the public took it upon themselves to help the charity by completing huge challenges, from a virtual London Marathon, to motorcyclists riding a 62-mile charity route.

David Martin, director of fundraising, said: “This has been a year like no other, and it’s certainly been one that we’ll be happy to say goodbye to.

"Once the year is over, the one thing that will remain with us is the kindness and generosity that our supporters have shown throughout.

“We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received during this time, when we’ve needed it more than ever.

"A huge thank you to everyone who spent hours fundraising, volunteering and spreading awareness of our service – your donations help us to save lives.”

As the charity looks ahead to 2021, crew and staff will be moving to a brand-new headquarters in Lincoln.

The project has largely been made possible through a one-off capital grant from government, funding which is only permitted to be spent on the new building.

Karen Jobling, the charity’s chief executive, said: “While this year has been far more difficult than any of us could have imagined, we are now focusing on what the future holds.

"One thing we do know is that we have received an incredible amount of support over the last year.

"A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who has supported us; you’ve kept the helicopter flying, the critical care car on the roads and our pilots and clinicians in crucial PPE.

If you are able to donate or fundraise for this life-saving service, visit here.