The North West Air Ambulance needs your help so it can keep doing its life-saving work

The North West Air Ambulance is appealing for help after the pandemic put a stop to its fundraising efforts.

The North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) service is entirely dependent on donations and has lost more than 20% of its income in the past year alone.

Since the first national lockdown, it is estimated the NWAA has lost £71,000 each month.

The care provided by the NWAA has become increasingly specialised across the past two decades, including even giving blood transfusions.

The charity serves eight million people in its three helicopters across the region. Now, it has launched an appeal to ensure the worst case scenario – where the life-saving fleet is grounded – is avoided.

Director of Income and Engagement at NWAA Charity, Sarah Naismith, said any donations would allow the charity to continue its crucial work.

She said: “Covid-19 has disrupted everyone’s lives, it’s threatened to grind down our friends in the NHS, and it’s placed financial and operational strain on our charity.

“The crew have continued their lifesaving work every day, supporting the NHS and working side by side with the ambulance service.

“However, the disruption to our fundraising revenues is significant and we don’t take sharing this news lightly. Without funding, we may not be able to continue to make a critical difference to patients like Jake.

“For 21 years, we have always been blown away by the generosity of our supporters, and we wouldn’t be here without them.

“With our work at greater risk than ever before, any donations will allow us to continue to reach and treat patients in need, and give them the best chance of survival. Help us help people across the North West.”

The latest appeal is backed by former patient Jake Cowen from Oldham, who says he owes the charity his life. 

Following a fall cleaning windows with his father in Warrington in 2020, Jake suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest.

His condition was so bad, NWAA crews worked closely with the North West Ambulance Service to stabilise his condition. He was treated on route to Warrington General Hospital. 

Jake’s family believe that without this care, he might not have survived.

Jake said: “I don’t remember much from the day, but from the impression it’s left on my mum and dad, I was clearly on the brink. We are all so grateful for NWAA and the ambulance service, especially as I’m now fit, well and back working with dad.

“Without the crew, I might not have survived. I owe them my life, and I urge others to support the charity right now, so that they can be there for those in need.”

For more information on the NWAA charity or to donate, click here.