Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance reflect on a challenging 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 due to the impact of Covid-19 as crew members were called to support the NHS during the first national lockdown.

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

Pilots, paramedics and doctors are dealing with the complexity of wearing full personal protective equipment (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.

The crew experienced one of the busiest summers on record, with 348 missions between July and September alone.

Karen Jobling, chief executive officer at LNAA, said: “Like many charities across the UK, LNAA has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Despite the challenges we’ve faced this year, our crews have continued to provide life-saving care to those patients involved in incidents of the most critical nature, when minutes matter.

“As with everything our teams do, this has only been possible thanks to the incredible communities who support us and have continued to support us throughout 2020.”

With all community fundraising events cancelled for the foreseeable, the charity welcomed support from generous members of the public who took on huge challenges, from completing the virtual London Marathon, to hosting an online auction, to taking on a sponsored walk or cycling challenge, to motorcyclists riding a 62-mile route in aid of LNAA.

If you are able to donate or fundraise or for more information about this life-saving service, visit www.ambucopter.org.uk.

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