As part of Air Ambulance Week (7 – 11 September), landmarks in Bedford will be lit in orange in support of the Magpas Air Ambulance – a charity that receives no government funding.
Bedford Corn Exchange and Town Bridge will go ‘Magpas orange’ to raise awareness of the charity, and on Friday, 11 September, Bedford Blues will hold a charity collection at their game against Bath.
Throughout the week, all donations to Magpas Air Ambulance are being matched up to £1,000, so you can double your impact when you donate today.
Since the start of the year, the Magpas Air Ambulance has been called to 266 emergencies in the county, on average responding to one life-threatening emergency every day.
In response, during Air Ambulance Week, landmarks, communities and businesses across the county are turning orange in support of the 24/7 lifesaving service.
Magpas Air Ambulance brings hospital-level emergency care directly to the scene of the most serious incidents in Bedfordshire, by air and by road, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The air ambulance gets to patients across Bedfordshire in an average of just 14 minutes.
Each mission costs an average of £3,000.
This cost covers specialist care from doctors and critical care paramedics, specialist equipment and the running of the helicopter and rapid response vehicles.
Support from the public
In total, the charity needs to raise more than £6 million every year to keep its service flying and relies entirely on donations from the public and support from local businesses to do so.
Daryl Brown MBE DL, CEO of Magpas Air Ambulance, said: “Every one of those 266 callouts was someone in Bedfordshire having the worst day of their life.
“The fact that we can be at their side within minutes, with the skills and equipment of an emergency department, is only possible because of the support from people and businesses based in Bedfordshire and across the East of England.
“Air Ambulance Week helps us to highlight the critical care we provide, as well as this amazing support, and we invite everyone in Bedfordshire to help keep this service flying.”
Gary Atyes, corporate lead at Magpas Air Ambulance, thanked Bedfordshire businesses for their ongoing support for the charity.
“From the lighting up of iconic buildings to the ongoing support for Bedford Blues, every one of these activities helps fund the next mission.
“Whether you’re a business, a community group or an individual, however you choose to support this vital service now in this Air Ambulance Week or in the future, will really make a difference to your community, and every pound raised will help save lives.”
Throughout Air Ambulance Week, anyone in Bedfordshire can support the local lifesaving service by joining in with activities taking place across the county.
You can take part in your own fundraising challenge or, if you’re a business owner, find out how you can partner with the charity.
Alternatively, you can make a donation to keep this local lifesaving charity flying.
All information about how to get involved is on their website at magpas.org.uk/aaw
