HELP Appeal https://helpappeal.org.uk/ Helping to save time – Helping to save lives. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:42:06 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://helpappeal.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HELP-icon-2026-150x150.png HELP Appeal https://helpappeal.org.uk/ 32 32 Moorlands Show raises more than £300 for the HELP Appeal https://helpappeal.org.uk/moorlands-show-raises-more-than-300-for-the-help-appeal/ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:40:18 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26893 The HELP Appeal enjoyed a fantastic day at the Moorlands Show, which helped to raise more than £300 for lifesaving work. We attended the event at the invitation of Councillor Linda Malyon, Chair of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and a dedicated supporter of the Ipstones Agricultural Show. As the largest agricultural show in the district, the event provided an excellent opportunity to introduce the HELP Appeal’s lifesaving work to the local community. We loved speaking to visitors about the charity’s projects across the country, including the recent donation of £814,000 to cover the entire cost of the helipad upgrade at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, demonstrating the direct impact the charity is having within the local community. We were also kindly supported by Molly Stone who is running the London Marathon in 2027 in aid of the HELP Appeal, who kept visitors entertained with a popular tombola, raising just over £300, which will help support the development of hospital helipads that help critically ill patients receive urgent treatment as quickly as possible.

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The HELP Appeal enjoyed a fantastic day at the Moorlands Show, which helped to raise more than £300 for lifesaving work.

We attended the event at the invitation of Councillor Linda Malyon, Chair of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and a dedicated supporter of the Ipstones Agricultural Show.

As the largest agricultural show in the district, the event provided an excellent opportunity to introduce the HELP Appeal’s lifesaving work to the local community.

We loved speaking to visitors about the charity’s projects across the country, including the recent donation of £814,000 to cover the entire cost of the helipad upgrade at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, demonstrating the direct impact the charity is having within the local community.

We were also kindly supported by Molly Stone who is running the London Marathon in 2027 in aid of the HELP Appeal, who kept visitors entertained with a popular tombola, raising just over £300, which will help support the development of hospital helipads that help critically ill patients receive urgent treatment as quickly as possible.

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]]> Tissington Trail walkers raise more than £7,300 for the HELP Appeal https://helpappeal.org.uk/tissington-trail-walkers-raise-more-than-7300-for-the-help-appeal/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:47:36 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26880 A group of 46 walkers raised an incredible £7,321, plus Gift Aid, for the HELP Appeal by taking on the scenic Tissington Trail through the Peak District. The fundraiser was organised by Graham and Carole Cluer, with support from friends, family and members of their local community. Carole and Graham first learned about the HELP Appeal’s lifesaving work after joining Denise Rowe and fellow supporters for a 10-mile nighttime walk beside the River Thames. “It was a marvellous evening, even if it was a little wet!” they said. “As well as raising thousands of pounds, there was a wonderful sense of community.” Like many people, Carole and Graham had previously assumed that hospital helipads were funded by the NHS. After discovering how the HELP Appeal funds new and upgraded helipads, and learning more about the vital role they play in emergency helicopter transfers, the couple decided to organise a fundraising walk closer to home. The cause became especially meaningful after their friend and local farmer, Sue Gould, was seriously injured in a tractor accident, bringing the importance of air ambulances and hospital helipads home to the whole village. On 18 July, walkers from the village and across the country gathered to take on the Tissington Trail, a former railway line winding through the beautiful Peak District. Photo: Carole and Graham Cluer For the final five miles, the group was joined by HELP Appeal ambassador and international para-athlete Steve Judge, together with his partner, and Sue Gould. Despite still recovering from a serious accident, Sue amazed everyone with her strength and determination. “As we clapped Sue across the finish line, it truly felt like a thankful walk for the lifesaving work supported by the HELP Appeal,” said Carole and Graham. The day was made possible by the generosity of many people. Special thanks go to Boyden’s Coaches and owner Gavin Boyden, who donated the day’s transport and relayed walkers to their different starting points along the trail. Photo; Steve Judge and Sue Gould Thanks also go to Steve Judge and his partner for joining the walk, and to the event supporter and her husband, Alastair, who welcomed everyone at the finish with well-earned refreshments. Denise Rowe from the HELP Appeal added, “It was a fabulous day. We are enormously grateful to everyone who walked, donated or helped make the event possible.” The £7,321 raised, along with Gift Aid, will help the HELP Appeal continue funding hospital helipads that enable critically ill patients to receive urgent treatment as quickly as possible. Photo: Denise Rowe (second from right) from the HELP Appeal with our incredible supporters

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A group of 46 walkers raised an incredible £7,321, plus Gift Aid, for the HELP Appeal by taking on the scenic Tissington Trail through the Peak District.

The fundraiser was organised by Graham and Carole Cluer, with support from friends, family and members of their local community.

Carole and Graham first learned about the HELP Appeal’s lifesaving work after joining Denise Rowe and fellow supporters for a 10-mile nighttime walk beside the River Thames.

“It was a marvellous evening, even if it was a little wet!” they said. “As well as raising thousands of pounds, there was a wonderful sense of community.”

Like many people, Carole and Graham had previously assumed that hospital helipads were funded by the NHS. After discovering how the HELP Appeal funds new and upgraded helipads, and learning more about the vital role they play in emergency helicopter transfers, the couple decided to organise a fundraising walk closer to home.

The cause became especially meaningful after their friend and local farmer, Sue Gould, was seriously injured in a tractor accident, bringing the importance of air ambulances and hospital helipads home to the whole village.

On 18 July, walkers from the village and across the country gathered to take on the Tissington Trail, a former railway line winding through the beautiful Peak District.

Photo: Carole and Graham Cluer

For the final five miles, the group was joined by HELP Appeal ambassador and international para-athlete Steve Judge, together with his partner, and Sue Gould. Despite still recovering from a serious accident, Sue amazed everyone with her strength and determination.

“As we clapped Sue across the finish line, it truly felt like a thankful walk for the lifesaving work supported by the HELP Appeal,” said Carole and Graham.

The day was made possible by the generosity of many people. Special thanks go to Boyden’s Coaches and owner Gavin Boyden, who donated the day’s transport and relayed walkers to their different starting points along the trail.

Photo; Steve Judge and Sue Gould

Thanks also go to Steve Judge and his partner for joining the walk, and to the event supporter and her husband, Alastair, who welcomed everyone at the finish with well-earned refreshments.

Denise Rowe from the HELP Appeal added, “It was a fabulous day. We are enormously grateful to everyone who walked, donated or helped make the event possible.”

The £7,321 raised, along with Gift Aid, will help the HELP Appeal continue funding hospital helipads that enable critically ill patients to receive urgent treatment as quickly as possible.

Photo: Denise Rowe (second from right) from the HELP Appeal with our incredible supporters

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]]> HONC supports the HELP Appeal https://helpappeal.org.uk/honc-supports-the-help-appeal/ Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:48:09 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26865 A huge thank you to Winchcombe Cycling Club and Cheltenham and County Cycling Club for organising the latest Hell of the North Cotswolds (HONC) 2026 cycling event. The challenging 100km, 75km and 50km routes all set off from the historic Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, taking riders on a mix of on and off-road trails through the stunning Cotswold countryside. Now in its 41st year, this legendary endurance ride, inspired by the world-famous Paris-Roubaix, has become a true British cycling classic. More than 1,250 cyclists took part, raising vital funds to help build NHS hospital helipads – fuelled along the way by Mira from the HELP Appeal team’s delicious homemade lemon drizzle cake and chocolate brownies. Lesley Obee from the HELP Appeal said: “We’re incredibly grateful to HONC and every cyclist taking part in this year’s challenge. Their determination and generous support will help fund more lifesaving NHS hospital helipads, enabling critically ill and injured patients to receive urgent treatment when every second counts.”

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A huge thank you to Winchcombe Cycling Club and Cheltenham and County Cycling Club for organising the latest Hell of the North Cotswolds (HONC) 2026 cycling event.

The challenging 100km, 75km and 50km routes all set off from the historic Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, taking riders on a mix of on and off-road trails through the stunning Cotswold countryside.

Now in its 41st year, this legendary endurance ride, inspired by the world-famous Paris-Roubaix, has become a true British cycling classic.

More than 1,250 cyclists took part, raising vital funds to help build NHS hospital helipads – fuelled along the way by Mira from the HELP Appeal team’s delicious homemade lemon drizzle cake and chocolate brownies.

Lesley Obee from the HELP Appeal said:

“We’re incredibly grateful to HONC and every cyclist taking part in this year’s challenge. Their determination and generous support will help fund more lifesaving NHS hospital helipads, enabling critically ill and injured patients to receive urgent treatment when every second counts.”

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]]> HELP Appeal funds 3 new critical care cars https://helpappeal.org.uk/help-appeal-funds-3-new-critical-care-cars/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:58:56 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26814 A fleet of three state-of-the-art rapid response vehicles has entered service today (25 August 2026), strengthening Great Western Air Ambulance Charity’s (GWAAC) ability to deliver lifesaving critical care by road, whatever the weather or terrain, alongside the charity’s helicopter. GWAAC’s new cars are a significant investment in the charity’s operational capability. The three Volvo XC90s replace the charity’s older fleet of Skoda Kodiaqs that are nearing the end of their serviceable life. The new cars have been fitted to emergency response standards; ready to respond to people in urgent need across GWAAC’s region of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and parts of Wiltshire. Funded by the HELP Appeal The entire new fleet was generously funded by the HELP Appeal, which is also the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS Hospital helipads, including at Gloucester Royal Hospital, Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hospital With no day-to-day funding from the government or National Lottery, GWAAC is reliant on the generosity of individuals, community groups and businesses across its region. The grant from the HELP Appeal means the charity can continue to respond to more than six patients a day, delivering lifesaving care as quickly as possible. Robert Bertram, Chief Executive for the HELP Appeal, which helped to fund GWAAC’s airbase at Almondsbury and essential kitbags for its crew said: “While the HELP Appeal is best known for funding lifesaving NHS hospital and air ambulance base helipads which are essential in emergency care, critical care cars are vital too. They enable specialist teams to reach patients quickly when helicopters cannot fly or when travelling by road is the fastest option. We are proud to fund these three state-of-the-art vehicles and sincerely thank our supporters, whose generosity is helping us to deliver lifesaving care in the region and beyond.” Tim Ross Smith, Operations Officer for GWAAC, said: “Our previous vehicles served us well but were becoming increasingly costly to maintain and more prone to issues as they reached the end of their operational life. We’re very grateful for the support of the HELP Appeal which has helped ensure our crew can continue reaching patients quickly to provide their exceptional level of care to people with life-threatening injuries and medical emergencies every single day.” Clinical impact GWAAC’s cars are vital for transporting its skilled crew and equipment to people needing pre-hospital critical care. Without them, some patients may not receive lifesaving treatment in time to give them the best possible chance of reaching hospital. Each vehicle carries the same emergency equipment as the helicopter, including a portable ventilator, a LUCAS Machine for automatic CPR, an Ultrasound device, blood products for patients suffering catastrophic haemorrhage, specialist kit for children and babies, and much more. The new cars have three main benefits to the old fleet: Pre-designed for emergency work with features such as a slide-out tray in the boot, making it easier for the crew to access heavy medical equipment and kit bags Bigger boot space to accommodate GWAAC’s increasing amount of specialist equipment A more spacious interior for crew, medical equipment, bags, and PPE (personal protective equipment)   GWAAC’s Volvo XC90s are hybrid vehicles, enabling the charity to move away from diesel and towards a more sustainable fleet. 77% of call-outs are responded to by car GWAAC’s airbase is well-positioned just outside Bristol in South Gloucestershire and close to two major motorways, meaning it is often quicker to travel by car than by helicopter. In dense urban environments, or when weather prevents aircraft operations, the vehicles provide the fastest available route to getting a Critical Care Doctor and Advanced or Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care (SPCC) to a patient’s side. Vehicle specification Key specifications of the new fleet: Make and model: Volvo XC90 hybrid Fleet size: three emergency-ready critical care cars as standard (GWAAC has a fourth vehicle for rotating alongside its main fleet to ensure consistent coverage) Off-road capability: All-Wheel Drive performance Medical crew: Critical Care Doctor, two SPCCs and a Trainee per vehicle On-board kit: Blood products and kit bags holding vital equipment to deal with incidents ranging from serious head injuries to cardiac arrests to road traffic collisions Sirens: Rumbler siren so drivers feel the noise even when they can’t hear it Operational hours: 07:00 to 01:00 365 days a year (GWAAC’s helicopter is operational 07:00 to 19:00 summertime) Photo credit: Adam Davis Photography

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A fleet of three state-of-the-art rapid response vehicles has entered service today (25 August 2026), strengthening Great Western Air Ambulance Charity’s (GWAAC) ability to deliver lifesaving critical care by road, whatever the weather or terrain, alongside the charity’s helicopter.

GWAAC’s new cars are a significant investment in the charity’s operational capability. The three Volvo XC90s replace the charity’s older fleet of Skoda Kodiaqs that are nearing the end of their serviceable life. The new cars have been fitted to emergency response standards; ready to respond to people in urgent need across GWAAC’s region of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and parts of Wiltshire.

Funded by the HELP Appeal

The entire new fleet was generously funded by the HELP Appeal, which is also the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS Hospital helipads, including at Gloucester Royal Hospital, Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hospital With no day-to-day funding from the government or National Lottery, GWAAC is reliant on the generosity of individuals, community groups and businesses across its region. The grant from the HELP Appeal means the charity can continue to respond to more than six patients a day, delivering lifesaving care as quickly as possible.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive for the HELP Appeal, which helped to fund GWAAC’s airbase at Almondsbury and essential kitbags for its crew said:

“While the HELP Appeal is best known for funding lifesaving NHS hospital and air ambulance base helipads which are essential in emergency care, critical care cars are vital too. They enable specialist teams to reach patients quickly when helicopters cannot fly or when travelling by road is the fastest option. We are proud to fund these three state-of-the-art vehicles and sincerely thank our supporters, whose generosity is helping us to deliver lifesaving care in the region and beyond.”

Tim Ross Smith, Operations Officer for GWAAC, said:

“Our previous vehicles served us well but were becoming increasingly costly to maintain and more prone to issues as they reached the end of their operational life. We’re very grateful for the support of the HELP Appeal which has helped ensure our crew can continue reaching patients quickly to provide their exceptional level of care to people with life-threatening injuries and medical emergencies every single day.”

Clinical impact

GWAAC’s cars are vital for transporting its skilled crew and equipment to people needing pre-hospital critical care. Without them, some patients may not receive lifesaving treatment in time to give them the best possible chance of reaching hospital. Each vehicle carries the same emergency equipment as the helicopter, including a portable ventilator, a LUCAS Machine for automatic CPR, an Ultrasound device, blood products for patients suffering catastrophic haemorrhage, specialist kit for children and babies, and much more.

The new cars have three main benefits to the old fleet:

  • Pre-designed for emergency work with features such as a slide-out tray in the boot, making it easier for the crew to access heavy medical equipment and kit bags
  • Bigger boot space to accommodate GWAAC’s increasing amount of specialist equipment
  • A more spacious interior for crew, medical equipment, bags, and PPE (personal protective equipment)

 

GWAAC’s Volvo XC90s are hybrid vehicles, enabling the charity to move away from diesel and towards a more sustainable fleet.

77% of call-outs are responded to by car

GWAAC’s airbase is well-positioned just outside Bristol in South Gloucestershire and close to two major motorways, meaning it is often quicker to travel by car than by helicopter.

In dense urban environments, or when weather prevents aircraft operations, the vehicles provide the fastest available route to getting a Critical Care Doctor and Advanced or Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care (SPCC) to a patient’s side.

Vehicle specification

Key specifications of the new fleet:

  • Make and model: Volvo XC90 hybrid
  • Fleet size: three emergency-ready critical care cars as standard (GWAAC has a fourth vehicle for rotating alongside its main fleet to ensure consistent coverage)
  • Off-road capability: All-Wheel Drive performance
  • Medical crew: Critical Care Doctor, two SPCCs and a Trainee per vehicle
  • On-board kit: Blood products and kit bags holding vital equipment to deal with incidents ranging from serious head injuries to cardiac arrests to road traffic collisions
  • Sirens: Rumbler siren so drivers feel the noise even when they can’t hear it
  • Operational hours: 07:00 to 01:00 365 days a year (GWAAC’s helicopter is operational 07:00 to 19:00 summertime)

Photo credit: Adam Davis Photography

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]]> Charity Golf Day raises over £8,000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/charity-golf-day-raises-over-8000/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:49:44 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26771 A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Charity Golf Day at The Mount Golf and Country Club in Wolverhampton on Friday 21 August 2026. Teams enjoyed a fantastic day of friendly Stableford competition, beginning with breakfast rolls and refreshments before a shotgun start at noon. After a great round of golf, guests gathered for a delicious Nepalese buffet, prize presentation, music from Dan Hatton and charity auction. We are delighted to announce that the event raised £8,025 for the HELP Appeal. This incredible total will support our work to improve emergency care by funding NHS hospital helipads, critical care cars and medical equipment, and help save lives. Our heartfelt thanks go to every golfer, sponsor, donor, prize contributor, volunteer and member of the team at The Mount Golf and Country Club who helped make the day such a success. Your generosity and enthusiasm made a real difference. We hope everyone enjoyed the occasion as much as we did, and we look forward to welcoming you to another HELP Appeal event soon.

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A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Charity Golf Day at The Mount Golf and Country Club in Wolverhampton on Friday 21 August 2026.

Teams enjoyed a fantastic day of friendly Stableford competition, beginning with breakfast rolls and refreshments before a shotgun start at noon. After a great round of golf, guests gathered for a delicious Nepalese buffet, prize presentation, music from Dan Hatton and charity auction.

We are delighted to announce that the event raised £8,025 for the HELP Appeal. This incredible total will support our work to improve emergency care by funding NHS hospital helipads, critical care cars and medical equipment, and help save lives.

Our heartfelt thanks go to every golfer, sponsor, donor, prize contributor, volunteer and member of the team at The Mount Golf and Country Club who helped make the day such a success.

Your generosity and enthusiasm made a real difference. We hope everyone enjoyed the occasion as much as we did, and we look forward to welcoming you to another HELP Appeal event soon.

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]]> HELP Appeal funds helipad’s fire safety upgrade https://helpappeal.org.uk/help-appeal-funds-helipads-fire-safety-upgrade/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:30:08 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26749 The HELP Appeal has funded a £56,340 upgrade to the Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System (DIFFS) on the rooftop helipad at King’s College Hospital. The charity originally covered the cost of DIFFS while also donating £2.75 million towards the helipad’s construction ten years ago. Since then, the helipad has received over 3,320 landings, helping critically ill patients reach specialist hospital care more quickly. The funding enabled the hospital to replace its fluorinated firefighting foam with a fluorine-free product, following changes to environmental legislation. How does DIFFS work? DIFFS is an automated fire-suppression system designed for rooftop helipads. Nozzles built into the deck spray water and foam, suppressing a fire within 15 seconds. This rapid response protects the helipad, hospital and everyone on the deck, while reducing the risk of a hospital evacuation. It also allows air ambulance crews to continue treating and transferring critically ill patients without unnecessary delay. DIFFS can also save a hospital approximately £250,000 annually by removing the need for a dedicated helipad firefighting team. These savings can be redirected to other lifesaving services. Photo: (L-R) Ian Taylor, Rob Bentley, King’s College Hospital (KCH), London; Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal and Greg Grzegorz, KCH

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The HELP Appeal has funded a £56,340 upgrade to the Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System (DIFFS) on the rooftop helipad at King’s College Hospital.

The charity originally covered the cost of DIFFS while also donating £2.75 million towards the helipad’s construction ten years ago. Since then, the helipad has received over 3,320 landings, helping critically ill patients reach specialist hospital care more quickly.

The funding enabled the hospital to replace its fluorinated firefighting foam with a fluorine-free product, following changes to environmental legislation.

How does DIFFS work?

DIFFS is an automated fire-suppression system designed for rooftop helipads. Nozzles built into the deck spray water and foam, suppressing a fire within 15 seconds.

This rapid response protects the helipad, hospital and everyone on the deck, while reducing the risk of a hospital evacuation. It also allows air ambulance crews to continue treating and transferring critically ill patients without unnecessary delay.

DIFFS can also save a hospital approximately £250,000 annually by removing the need for a dedicated helipad firefighting team. These savings can be redirected to other lifesaving services.

Photo: (L-R) Ian Taylor, Rob Bentley, King’s College Hospital (KCH), London; Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal and Greg Grzegorz, KCH

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]]> UHNM receives HELP Appeal donation to upgrade helipad and enhance safety https://helpappeal.org.uk/uhnm-receives-help-appeal-donation-to-enhance-helipad-safety/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:51:00 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26738 University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has received more than £800,000 from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads, to support planned safety improvements to the helicopter landing site at Royal Stoke University Hospital. The £814K contribution will help fund works identified through the Trust’s helipad upgrade programme, which is focused on enhancing safety and operational arrangements for patients, air ambulance crews and staff. The Royal Stoke helipad plays a vital role in the rapid transfer of critically ill and injured patients, enabling specialist care to be accessed as quickly as possible, around the clock, when every minute counts. It receives patients from Midlands Air Ambulance, Wales Air Ambulance, North West Air Ambulance, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, The Air Ambulance and Children’s Air Ambulance. One such patient was Sue Gould from Ipstones, who was seriously injured after being accidently run over by a six tonne tractor on her farm this year. She was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Stoke Hospital helipad for specialised treatment. The generous donation from the HELP Appeal will contribute towards improvements designed to further strengthen the safety and effectiveness of the site. Lorraine Whitehead, UHNM Director of Estates, and PFI said: “We are incredibly grateful to the HELP Appeal for this generous donation and their continued commitment to supporting NHS hospitals across the country. “Our helipad is a vital part of providing emergency and specialist care, enabling patients to reach the treatments they need as quickly as possible. These improvements will help enhance safety for patients, visiting air ambulance crews and our staff, ensuring we can continue to provide the best possible care in the most critical circumstances. “On behalf of everyone at UHNM, I would like to thank the HELP Appeal for their support and for helping us invest in the future of this important facility.” Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal added: “The HELP Appeal is proud to fund these vital improvements to the Royal Stoke Hospital helipad. The barriers, warning systems and improved lighting will enable the helipad to continue operating safely and efficiently, ensuring critically ill patients can access the urgent care they need without delay.” Helipad patient, Sue Gould adds: “When I was airlifted to Royal Stoke Hospital, every second mattered. Knowing that these new safety measures will help keep the area clear and secure when an air ambulance is landing or taking off is very reassuring. The upgrade will help patients just like me, to reach the hospital as safely and quickly as possible.” In 2019, the HELP Appeal donated £51,000 to fund a weather station on the hospital helipad, the first in the country to have one, which provides certainty and real time information for emergency helicopter pilots about weather conditions, ensuring that its patients are seen quicker and with more efficiency. The weather station, called “Skyview”, measures visibility and conditions around the Royal Stoke University Hospital site and helps ambulance crews understand the next steps for our critically injured patients, making sure they are air lifted to the most appropriate trauma centre avoiding bad weather conditions that can make flying difficult.

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University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has received more than £800,000 from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads, to support planned safety improvements to the helicopter landing site at Royal Stoke University Hospital.

The £814K contribution will help fund works identified through the Trust’s helipad upgrade programme, which is focused on enhancing safety and operational arrangements for patients, air ambulance crews and staff.

The Royal Stoke helipad plays a vital role in the rapid transfer of critically ill and injured patients, enabling specialist care to be accessed as quickly as possible, around the clock, when every minute counts. It receives patients from Midlands Air Ambulance, Wales Air Ambulance, North West Air Ambulance, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, The Air Ambulance and Children’s Air Ambulance.

One such patient was Sue Gould from Ipstones, who was seriously injured after being accidently run over by a six tonne tractor on her farm this year. She was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Stoke Hospital helipad for specialised treatment.

The generous donation from the HELP Appeal will contribute towards improvements designed to further strengthen the safety and effectiveness of the site.

Lorraine Whitehead, UHNM Director of Estates, and PFI said:

“We are incredibly grateful to the HELP Appeal for this generous donation and their continued commitment to supporting NHS hospitals across the country.

“Our helipad is a vital part of providing emergency and specialist care, enabling patients to reach the treatments they need as quickly as possible. These improvements will help enhance safety for patients, visiting air ambulance crews and our staff, ensuring we can continue to provide the best possible care in the most critical circumstances.

“On behalf of everyone at UHNM, I would like to thank the HELP Appeal for their support and for helping us invest in the future of this important facility.”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal added:

“The HELP Appeal is proud to fund these vital improvements to the Royal Stoke Hospital helipad. The barriers, warning systems and improved lighting will enable the helipad to continue operating safely and efficiently, ensuring critically ill patients can access the urgent care they need without delay.”

Helipad patient, Sue Gould adds:

“When I was airlifted to Royal Stoke Hospital, every second mattered. Knowing that these new safety measures will help keep the area clear and secure when an air ambulance is landing or taking off is very reassuring. The upgrade will help patients just like me, to reach the hospital as safely and quickly as possible.”

In 2019, the HELP Appeal donated £51,000 to fund a weather station on the hospital helipad, the first in the country to have one, which provides certainty and real time information for emergency helicopter pilots about weather conditions, ensuring that its patients are seen quicker and with more efficiency. The weather station, called “Skyview”, measures visibility and conditions around the Royal Stoke University Hospital site and helps ambulance crews understand the next steps for our critically injured patients, making sure they are air lifted to the most appropriate trauma centre avoiding bad weather conditions that can make flying difficult.

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]]> More than 350 landings at Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s helipad https://helpappeal.org.uk/more-than-350-landings-at-royal-bournemouth-hospitals-helipad/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:35:46 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26720 It has been nine years since Royal Bournemouth Hospital opened its larger, night-lit helipad, helping seriously ill and injured patients receive urgent specialist care at any hour. The HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads – donated the entire £117,000 cost of the new facility. Since September 2017, the helipad has supported 351 landings from helicopters carrying critically ill patients from across the south of England. Its night-lighting means that patients can be flown directly to the hospital throughout the day and night, helping medical teams begin vital treatment as quickly as possible. Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, said: “Every landing represents a seriously ill or injured patient who needed urgent hospital care. We are incredibly proud that our £117,000 donation has enabled helicopters to land at Royal Bournemouth Hospital around the clock. Nine years on, the helipad continues to demonstrate how the right facilities can help save time when every second matters.”

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It has been nine years since Royal Bournemouth Hospital opened its larger, night-lit helipad, helping seriously ill and injured patients receive urgent specialist care at any hour.

The HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads – donated the entire £117,000 cost of the new facility.

Since September 2017, the helipad has supported 351 landings from helicopters carrying critically ill patients from across the south of England.

Its night-lighting means that patients can be flown directly to the hospital throughout the day and night, helping medical teams begin vital treatment as quickly as possible.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, said:

“Every landing represents a seriously ill or injured patient who needed urgent hospital care. We are incredibly proud that our £117,000 donation has enabled helicopters to land at Royal Bournemouth Hospital around the clock. Nine years on, the helipad continues to demonstrate how the right facilities can help save time when every second matters.”

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]]> HELP Appeal funding equips SCAS BASICS responders with new helmets https://helpappeal.org.uk/help-appeal-funding-equips-scas-basics-responders-with-new-helmets/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:11:38 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26714 SCAS BASICS, a team of experienced volunteer clinicians, who give up their free time to be on call to help its local ambulance service, has received new custom-built and branded Manta PPE responder helmets, thanks to a generous £1,325 grant awarded at by the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) and funded by the HELP Appeal. The new helmets replace ageing equipment that had reached the end of its safe working life, helping SCAS BASICS clinicians continue responding safely to critically ill and injured patients. This vital grant support also enables the team to uphold its core ethos of promoting clinical excellence; enhancing patient outcomes and supporting peers. Last year, the HELP Appeal donated £28,590 to SCAS BASICS, which enabled it to purchase a state of the art critical care car, enabling the team to deploy a second critical care car to attend patients across Hampshire where the scheme currently operates. The extra resource is allowing the team to reach more people in critical need of pre-hospital enhanced care, further strengthening the service’s ability to support patients in their time of greatest need. SCAS BASICS has extended its huge thanks to the HELP Appeal and BASICS for their generous support and commitment to frontline immediate care.

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SCAS BASICS, a team of experienced volunteer clinicians, who give up their free time to be on call to help its local ambulance service, has received new custom-built and branded Manta PPE responder helmets, thanks to a generous £1,325 grant awarded at by the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) and funded by the HELP Appeal.

The new helmets replace ageing equipment that had reached the end of its safe working life, helping SCAS BASICS clinicians continue responding safely to critically ill and injured patients.

This vital grant support also enables the team to uphold its core ethos of promoting clinical excellence; enhancing patient outcomes and supporting peers.

Last year, the HELP Appeal donated £28,590 to SCAS BASICS, which enabled it to purchase a state of the art critical care car, enabling the team to deploy a second critical care car to attend patients across Hampshire where the scheme currently operates. The extra resource is allowing the team to reach more people in critical need of pre-hospital enhanced care, further strengthening the service’s ability to support patients in their time of greatest need.

SCAS BASICS has extended its huge thanks to the HELP Appeal and BASICS for their generous support and commitment to frontline immediate care.

The post HELP Appeal funding equips SCAS BASICS responders with new helmets appeared first on HELP Appeal.

]]> Winning HELP Appeal auction bidder receives state-of-the-art Evans bike https://helpappeal.org.uk/winning-help-appeal-auction-bidder-receives-state-of-the-art-evans-bike/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:51:38 +0000 https://helpappeal.org.uk/?p=26687 Winning charity auction bidder, David Hicks-Beech has taken delivery of a new state-of-the-art bike from Evans Cycles after placing the winning bid at the HELP Appeal Charity Pro-Am Golf Day auction. The bike was one of the standout lots in the charity auction held at Minchinhampton Golf Club in May this year. David’s successful bid helped raise vital funds for the HELP Appeal, which funds the development of NHS hospital helipads and improves emergency access for critically ill and injured patients across the UK. David was delighted to receive the bike from Reuben in Evans Cycles’ Bristol store and is now looking forward to putting it through its paces. He said: “Winning it was a fantastic end to a memorable day and it is even more special knowing that my bid is helping the HELP Appeal fund lifesaving hospital helipads across the country.” The HELP Appeal Charity Pro-Am Golf Day brought together 90 players and guests for a day of golf and fundraising. Following play on Minchinhampton’s Open Regional Qualifying Course, guests enjoyed lunch and a charity auction in the clubhouse. Michael Henriques, Chairman of the HELP Appeal said: “We were delighted that David has received his new bike. We hope he enjoys every moment with it, and we are extremely grateful for his generous winning bid. Every contribution made at the auction will help us continue improving emergency care so that critically ill patients are treated in the fastest possible time.” The HELP Appeal would also like to thank event sponsors Rathbones and Butler Sherborn, along with the players, PGA Professionals, supporters, volunteers and everyone whose generosity helped make the event such a success.

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Winning charity auction bidder, David Hicks-Beech has taken delivery of a new state-of-the-art bike from Evans Cycles after placing the winning bid at the HELP Appeal Charity Pro-Am Golf Day auction.

The bike was one of the standout lots in the charity auction held at Minchinhampton Golf Club in May this year. David’s successful bid helped raise vital funds for the HELP Appeal, which funds the development of NHS hospital helipads and improves emergency access for critically ill and injured patients across the UK.

David was delighted to receive the bike from Reuben in Evans Cycles’ Bristol store and is now looking forward to putting it through its paces.

He said:

“Winning it was a fantastic end to a memorable day and it is even more special knowing that my bid is helping the HELP Appeal fund lifesaving hospital helipads across the country.”

The HELP Appeal Charity Pro-Am Golf Day brought together 90 players and guests for a day of golf and fundraising. Following play on Minchinhampton’s Open Regional Qualifying Course, guests enjoyed lunch and a charity auction in the clubhouse.

Michael Henriques, Chairman of the HELP Appeal said:

“We were delighted that David has received his new bike. We hope he enjoys every moment with it, and we are extremely grateful for his generous winning bid. Every contribution made at the auction will help us continue improving emergency care so that critically ill patients are treated in the fastest possible time.”

The HELP Appeal would also like to thank event sponsors Rathbones and Butler Sherborn, along with the players, PGA Professionals, supporters, volunteers and everyone whose generosity helped make the event such a success.

The post Winning HELP Appeal auction bidder receives state-of-the-art Evans bike appeared first on HELP Appeal.

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