How To Help An Air Ambulance Charity

In England and Wales, all air ambulances are funded by charities, while Scotland only has a very small number of NHS-funded aircraft. The work of all air ambulance charities across the UK is crucial for supplying emergency services in critical situations.  

Why Volunteer With An Air Ambulance Charity?

The circumstances in which air ambulances are deployed often come down to a matter of life or death. Whether it's transporting patients to hospitals or providing medical services to hard-to-reach areas, most of us would like to think one would be there for us if we were in desperate need of it.  

When you volunteer for an air ambulance charity, you become part of the effort to make that happen. There's a wide variety of ways you can get involved, whether you're lending your skills or learning some new ones. There's a good chance you'll find the experience hugely rewarding too.  

How To Help Air Ambulance Charities

VOLUNTEER AT A CHARITY SHOP 

Plenty of charities run shops to raise funds, including Magpas Air Ambulance, which our players have supported through Postcode Community Trust. Duties can involve a range of things, whether you're making sure window displays and shelves look great, or you're helping customers on the shop floor and working on the tills.  

…OR IN AN OFFICE 

All charities need to be coordinated in some way. You could help with things like administration, research, data entry and supporting other volunteers.  

BECOME AN EVENTS VOLUNTEER 

Events are vital for raising both funds and awareness, and rely on volunteers to help them run as smoothly and profitably as possible. This can be a great way to help if you don't have the ability to give up your time on a regular basis, as there won't be a minimum time commitment, and you'll be able to choose which events you can attend.  

TAKE TO THE ROADS… 

Whether it's distributing and collecting fundraising pots, or delivering things for events and other awareness-raising activities – air ambulance charities need people who can regularly volunteer as drivers. 

…OR TAKE TO THE SKIES 

It takes a lot of experience and many years to become a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) pilot, but if you have the background required then you could become invaluable to an air ambulance charity. If you don't have the experience yet, you can still get involved with volunteering for a charity while you work on this.  

Things To Know Before You Volunteer

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer driver, it's likely you'll have to pass an assessment to ensure you're safe to be behind the wheel.  

Local Options

People's Postcode Lottery has supported several air ambulance charities over the years, including Magpas Air Ambulance. The best local volunteering options for you will depend on where you currently live. If you're interested, keep an eye out for opportunities nearby.

If you're not able to volunteer your time, don't forget you can also help us help a wide range of amazing charities by signing up to play People's Postcode Lottery.