Princess Royal reaffirms support for Magpas Air Ambulance

The Princess Royal has reaffirmed her support for Alcobury-based Magpas Air Ambulance, praising the charity’s lifesaving work across the East of England.

Her Royal Highness has been royal patron of Magpas Air Ambulance since 2020, first showing her backing by supporting the charity’s capital campaign to build a new airbase. During construction, she attended several key events, including a cornerstone unveiling, before officially opening the new facility — a development that has enabled the service to reach more critically ill and injured patients than ever before.

Princess Anne has now written to the charity to confirm her continued support. In her letter, she said: “I am delighted to continue my support of Magpas Air Ambulance and commend the vital work it undertakes in the region.

“For over fifty years, Magpas Air Ambulance has been at the forefront of delivering critical care to those in urgent need, often at the most challenging of times, saving countless lives. The dedication and professionalism of the doctors and paramedics who make up the medical team is exemplary, and their commitment to saving lives and improving outcomes for patients demonstrates the highest standards of service and compassion.”

She added that, as a charity, Magpas relies on public support and strong partnerships within the NHS and emergency services to remain a lifeline for communities across the region.

HRH The Princess Royal pictured opening the Magpas Air Ambulance base, alongside charity CEP Daryl Brown

The renewed royal backing comes at a significant time for the organisation. In 2025, Magpas Air Ambulance experienced its busiest year on record, with its specialist medical team activated 1,198 times to life-threatening emergencies. Sixty-one per cent of those incidents took place in Cambridgeshire.

Chief Executive Daryl Brown MBE DL said the figures reflect a “clear and consistent trend of increasing activations year on year”.

“This growth shows just how much the demand for our air ambulance service is rising, and we are proud to be able to respond when critically ill and injured patients need us most,” he said.

“We’re incredibly grateful that HRH The Princess Royal has chosen to reaffirm her support at this crucial time, and we echo her gratitude to the communities that keep us flying and saving lives every day. None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of the public and the tireless fundraising efforts of the communities we serve.”

Each Magpas mission costs an average of £3,000, meaning continued public support is essential to ensure the charity can reach every patient in need across the East of England.