Our story

The generosity of our supporters enabled us to begin flying seven days a week.

We were able to upgrade our helicopter, thanks to a generous legacy of £500,000.

We opened the doors of our first charity shop in Southport.

Thanks to your donations, we introduced a second helicopter to our fleet.

Doctors were introduced onto one of our aircraft, administering enhanced pre-hospital care at the scene.

We welcomed a third helicopter to our fleet.

Our red helicopter became yellow and blue and with that came an exciting new look for the entire fleet to help raise awareness of our lifesaving service, whether in the skies or on the ground.

We received funding to purchase a LUCAS Chest Compression system, which provides automated CPR on patients suffering cardiac arrest.

Aintree University Hospital’s helipad was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, and our crew had the honour of meeting His Royal Highness at the grand unveiling.

The first of four HEMS response vehicles was purchased, made possible thanks to our amazing supporters.

In April, collaborating with Wythenshawe Hospital, we streamlined vital cardiac arrest treatments for the first time, with the first patient transported using ECMO. In November, we won ‘Innovation of the Year’ at the National Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence, for our ECMO cardiac arrest treatment.

In January, we launched blood on board in partnership with Blood Bikes Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation transfusion service, and the North West Ambulance Service – giving us the ability to administer lifesaving blood transfusions by the roadside.

In April, the BBC’s BAFTA winning ‘Ambulance’ returned with a fifth series, featuring the North West Air Ambulance Charity crew for the first time.

In August, Our Lift off Lotto reached over 100,000 plays per week. Did you know? Our lottery funds around 50% of all missions!

In April, we joined forces with the North West Ambulance Service and launched an inter-hospital transfer service in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Using a land ambulance, kitted with specialist equipment, the service saw the transportation of Covid-19 patients from one hospital to another, to help prevent any one hospital becoming overwhelmed – resulting in other frontline ambulances being able to remain available for responding to patients, including those dialling 999.

In May, we celebrated 21 years of our lifesaving service.

In June, the BBC’s BAFTA winning ‘Ambulance’ returned with a brand new series, featuring the North West Air Ambulance Charity crew saving lives alongside North West Ambulance Service’s Merseyside crew.

We reached the milestone of 100 blood transfusions!