Wales Air Ambulance is an all Wales charity providing emergency air cover for those who face life-threatening illness or injuries.

Our mission

It is our mission to aid the relief of sickness and injury, and the protection of human life, by the provision of an air ambulance service across Wales.

Our Vision

It is our vision to provide a 24-hour air ambulance operation, and continually strive for an outstanding air ambulance service available to everyone in Wales.

Why are we needed?

The charity’s three helicopters are confronted with a diverse and challenging landscape.  Over 8,000 sq miles of remote countryside, bustling towns and cities, vast mountain ranges, and 800 miles of coastline.

With a widely scattered population and diverse landscape, many in Wales live in isolated locations, far from a major or specialist hospital. In urban areas, traffic congestion and collisions can significantly delay treatment when on a road ambulance. For these reasons, there is a recognised need for our three helicopters on active duty 365 days a year.

How do we make a difference?

A patient’s chances of survival and early recovery are increased if they receive the right care within the first hour, otherwise known as the Golden Hour. The fast response times and the expert medical care provided by the Wales Air Ambulance crews gets patients to the care they need in the quickest possible time.

Where are the helicopters based?

There are three helimed crews based in the North (Caernarfon), Mid (Welshpool) and South (Swansea) of Wales. Each crew has of one pilot and two advanced life support paramedics who are trained in the latest techniques in pre-hospital emergency care to ensure the patient receives the most effective treatment.

How long does it take to respond to an emergency?

Each helicopter can be launched within 3 minutes of receiving an emergency call. From the three airbases, a helicopter can be anywhere in Wales within just 20 minutes.

Who calls the ambulance out?

In Wales we have three ambulance controls, which are located in Llanfairfechan, Cwmbran and Carmarthen. When somebody calls 999 for an ambulance, the call goes straight to the ambulance control. The person on the end of the phone will ask the caller a number of questions relating to the medical emergency. Ambulance control will then deploy one of the helicopters.

How much does it cost to run the service?

The charity needs to raise £6 million every year to operate the service. The charity raises all the funds required for the day-to-day running of missions, with each mission on average costing £1500.

How do we raise the money?

Wales Air Ambulance is funded by the people of Wales; we rely entirely on the public’s support to help keep the helicopters flying. The charity does not receive direct funding from the government and we also fail to qualify for National Lottery funding. The money is therefore raised through charitable donations, fundraising events and membership of our in-house Lifesaving Lottery.

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