A campaign to relocate a vital air ambulance service has received significant financial boost from a charity. This increased its total contribution to $600,000 to help fund a new base near Southampton Airport.
£3 million raised for Air Ambulance relocation
The HELP Appeal initially donated £300,000 in September 2024 to launch the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Operation Airbase appeal. Since the public appeal began, it has raised £3 million, drawing support from local organisations, and foundations.
BREAKING NEWS! We have now donated £600,000 towards the #Hampshire and #IsleofWight Air Ambulance ‘Operation Airbase’ appeal which has brought the lifesaving charity within touching distance of its new home. To find out more:https://t.co/jLneBajUg4#Emergencycare #airmambulance pic.twitter.com/EX5P7GIRRO
— HELP Appeal (@HelipadHELP) March 24, 2026
The HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital and air ambulance base helipads. It has previously supported the service by funding helipads at hospitals in Southampton and on the Isle of Wight.
Officials noted that 70 per cent of the service’s emergencies occur in the southern part of the region, including Winchester. This also includes Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight. These areas are situated a considerable distance from the current airbase in Thruxton, Andover.
The relocation will enable highly experienced doctors and advanced paramedics to reach nearly every patient across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight within 10 minutes of take-off. This marks a significant improvement from the current response time, which can exceed 20 minutes for some locations.
New base to slash response times to 10 minutes
HELP Appeal Chief Executive Robert Bertram said the charity was proud to back an essential service by helping to fund the new base. He described it as a crucial part of the lifesaving infrastructure communities rely on in their most critical moments.
“We have enjoyed working closely with HIOWAA for many years by providing funding for its Critical Care Cars. I’m delighted that we are also helping to fund its new air ambulance base, which is a crucial part of the lifesaving infrastructure its communities rely on in their most critical moments,” he said.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance CEO Richard Corbett expressed immense gratitude to the HELP Appeal for its support. He stated that the team remained overwhelmed by the reaction from supporters months after the appeal’s launch.
In 2025, the Midland Air Ambulance Charity has offered to help seniors over-50s secure their future as regards Will-writing services. This is an initiative directed at assisting UK adults to secure will-writing services.