Great Western Air Ambulance on track for busiest year yet
Crew have attended 1,181 critically ill or injured patients in the first half of 2025 alone
Last updated 8th Jul 2025
The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand, with its specialist crew attending 1,181 critically ill or injured patients in the first half of 2025 alone — a rise of 22 compared to the same period last year.
This follows a record-breaking 2024, when the team responded to 2,272 emergencies across the region.
With each mission costing approximately £2,200, the charity continues to bring hospital-level emergency care directly to those who need it most across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire.
Tim Ross-Smith, Operations Officer at GWAAC, emphasized the human impact behind the statistics: “We mustn’t forget that behind these statistics are people likely experiencing the worst day of their lives with friends and family being affected too.
"Sometimes our crew is someone’s last chance and what they bring to the scene – their skills and equipment – can really make a difference to someone’s survival and long-term recovery. GWAAC keeps families together and we can only do it with your help.”
GWAAC’s Critical Care Team — composed of Critical Care Doctors, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, and Specialist Paramedics — respond to an average of six call-outs per day, often many more.
They are dispatched either by helicopter or via one of the charity’s highly equipped critical care cars, which carry the same medical equipment and expert personnel as the helicopter.
So far in 2025, approximately 75% of missions have been carried out by car, with the remaining quarter conducted via the charity’s distinctive lime green and blue helicopter.
Cardiac arrests and road traffic collisions continue to be the most common emergencies, making up 22% and 15% of missions respectively.
Despite their critical role, GWAAC receives no routine government funding and relies entirely on donations and community fundraising to remain operational.
To help support its growing mission load, the charity is encouraging the public to take part in the GWAAC Summer Raffle.
Tickets costs just £1, with a grand prize of £2,500 and several other cash prizes available. Proceeds directly support the charity’s lifesaving services.