Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Launches Second Helicopter Appeal

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) has officially launched a public appeal to help fund a second helicopter, which could save hundreds more lives every year.

The charity has already secured pledges and donations for most of the £7m needed and has booked its place on the production line. It’s now launching the Mission Possible 2 Appeal to raise the £500,000 needed to get the second helicopter in the air by late summer 2027.

For more than 30 years, the LNAA’s highly skilled crews have been by the side of thousands of critically ill and seriously injured patients, delivering advanced, highly specialised treatment and care.

However, over recent years demand for the service has increased by 135%, placing increasing pressure on the charity’s current resources. The average number of helicopter missions per day currently stands at five this year so far which is an increase from four last year.

Compared to the 21 different air ambulance charities across the UK, the LNAA covers the largest geographical area (3,500 square miles). With just one helicopter, there are now at least one to two major medical emergencies across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire every day that LNAA cannot attend because it’s already deployed elsewhere.

A second helicopter would mean the LNAA’s crews could be by the side of hundreds more patients every year.

CEO Karen Jobling explained: “For more than three decades we’ve been there for patients and their families on some of the worst days of their lives, but the reality is that demand is now outgrowing what one helicopter can deliver.

“A second helicopter will mean we can reach around 400 additional patients every year and ensure more families get the chance to have their loved one return home.”

The new AW109 helicopter is expected to be operational in October 2027 – but public donations are vital to achieving that goal.

Several fundraising activities are already planned, including the Lincoln Dragon Boat Festival on 11^th July, and the charity is now calling on businesses to enter a team or sponsor the event.

They also want as many local people and families as possible to come along to Brayford Pool in Lincoln on the day and support the appeal.

Karen said every penny raised will bring the charity closer to making the impossible, possible.

“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to receive significant pledges and support from private funders already, but now we’re asking the people and communities of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire to help us get over the finish line and hit our £500,000 target,” said Karen.

“Every day there are major incidents happening but with one helicopter we can’t be in two places at once. That’s incredibly difficult because we know every call represents someone’s loved one.”

To donate to the Mission Possible Appeal 2 or find out how you can get involved, visit ambucopter.org.uk/mission-possible-2-appeal