Magpas Air Ambulance faces challenge of rising fuel costs

Rising fuel costs are hitting lifesaving services across the East of England, with Magpas Air Ambulance saying last year was its busiest ever.

The charity says their aviation fuel bill jumped by over 80% in just one month, making it harder to keep helicopters and rapid response vehicles running around the clock.

Magpas is collaborating with Air Ambulances UK, which has communicated with MPs to ensure the government understands the risks facing the sector.

This organisation represents 21 air ambulance services across the country.

Magpas Air Ambulance Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Brown MBE DL said:

"Disruption to fuel supply, access and affordability has significant direct and immediate impact on patient safety and outcomes.

"The sector is therefore urging policymakers to act now to ensure air ambulance charities can continue to deliver lifesaving care without interruption.

"As a charity, Magpas Air Ambulance carefully monitors how we use our funds, but fuelling our helicopter and rapid response vehicles is vital to our ability to take the hospital to the patient when every second counts.

"In the last month alone, we had one of our busiest flying days on record and used 900 litres of aviation fuel in one day.

"Even small increases in price and demand can have a big impact on how much more we need to raise."

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