Air ambulance serving Northamptonshire clocks up 16,000th mission during awareness week

The local service has helped save thousands of lives in Northamptonshire since its inception in 2003, with each mission funded entirely by generous supporters. The charity receives no government funding, relying on their local communities to raise the £1,700 they need for each mission.

This week, from September 21 to 27, the charity is holding its first ever Air Ambulance Week. Volunteers will be painting the county yellow by handing out their colourful yellow pin badges in exchange for donations. All money raised from the sale of their yellow badges will go towards saving more lives.

One person who knows the importance of the air ambulance is Jamie Burnett, who was crushed by a dumper truck in August last year. After suffering horrific injuries including shattering his pelvis, breaking both legs, suffering large losses of blood and skin, Jamie had to spend a week in an induced coma.

After an amazing recovery, Jamie finally met the air ambulance doctor who saved his life last month at a surprise birthday party held for him in WNAA’s airbase at Coventry Airport. Jamie said: “I’m so grateful to Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance for everything they’ve done. Until you end up using it, you just don’t realise how much of a necessity it is.”

To find the badge sale closest to you, you can go to www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/give and click on your county for a full list of places and times the service’s volunteers will be out selling their badges. Alternatively, call 08454 130999* to talk to the charity directly.

Calls to the 08454 numbers are charged at 3ppm plus your access charge.