Air Ambulance launches £8.2m appeal to protect lifesaving service in Cambridgeshire

East Anglian Air Ambulance has launched an urgent £8.2 million fundraising appeal to build a new base in Cambridgeshire — warning that without it, its service could be cut in half.

The charity has secured planning permission for a new site near Fulbourn, but must raise the funds to relocate before losing its current base at Cambridge Airport, which is due to close in 2030.

Without a replacement base, only one airbase in Norfolk would remain — significantly increasing response times to life-threatening emergencies across St Neots, Cambridgeshire and the wider region.

The charity says nearly 1,000 lives a year could be put at risk if crews are forced to travel further when every second counts.

The new facility, planned for land at New Shardelowes Farm, would allow crews to continue delivering hospital-level care at the scene of incidents across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Chief Executive Matthew Jones said the appeal represents a critical moment for the charity.

“We are at a pivotal moment in our history… this vital part of our lifesaving service is under threat.

We’ve moved swiftly to secure planning permission for a new site, but we must now raise the funds to build the base. This is our biggest and most ambitious challenge yet, and we can’t do it alone.”

He added the new base would future-proof the service for generations.

“The vision for our new Cambridgeshire base isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about making sure people in life-threatening emergencies continue to receive the very best care, fast.”

The appeal is backed by patients and families whose lives have been saved by the Cambridge-based crew, with the charity highlighting the vital role it plays in responding to the most serious emergencies.

In 2025 alone, crews treated 1,845 patients, including 151 children.

From its current Cambridge base, the helicopter can reach around 1.2 million people within just ten minutes — coverage the charity says must be protected.

East Anglian Air Ambulance has made it easy for people across St Neots and Cambridgeshire to support the appeal:

• Text BASE10 or BASE20 to 70480 to donate £10 or £20

(Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate. Donors will opt in to hear more from the charity; to donate without receiving further information, text BASENOINFO.)

• Call the donation hotline on 03450 669 999 (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–5pm)
• Donate online at eaaa.org.uk/base
• Return a donation or direct debit pledge using appeal envelopes being delivered to households across the region
• Donations of £175 or more will be recognised by adding a supporter’s chosen name to one of the charity’s helicopters

Supporters can also fundraise by hosting events or taking on challenges - from bake sales and charity balls, to marathons, skydives and other adventurous activities. Schools, businesses, sports clubs and community groups are also being encouraged to make East Anglian Air Ambulance their chosen charity and fundraise together in ways that work for them.

The charity estimates that if every household across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk gave just £10, the appeal target would be exceeded immediately.