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When Speed Matters

Scottish Charity Air Ambulance crews are regularly tasked to some of Scotland's most remote communities, including its many islands

Scottish Charity Air Ambulance in the Scottish hills

"We will be there for you when you need us" Captain Russell Myles, Pilot, SCAA.

Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) responds on average to two time-critical emergency call-outs every single day. SCAA currently operates two helicopters, and two rapid response vehicles - taking life-saving pre-hospital care to the scene of time-critical emergencies. SCAA then transports patients to hospitals all over Scotland to receive the most appropriate medical care.

SCAA can be airborne within five minutes of receiving an emergency call and can reach 90% of Scotland's population within 25 minutes.

Scotland's rural population has continued to grow faster, with accessible rural areas seeing the biggest increase of 8% (between 2011 and 2019) compared to a rise of 3% in the rest of Scotland. This is compounded by the fact that 26% of residents in remote rural communities are over 65. According to demographics, as Scotland's population ages, a 50% increase in over-60s is projected by 2033. This demonstrates a growing need for support from air ambulances when people are faced with life-threatening situations far from major hospitals.

Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance operates two helicopter air ambulances - Helimed 76, based in Perth, and Helimed 79, based in Aberdeen. Often working with local first responders, the crews are regularly tasked to some of Scotland's most remote communities, including its many islands.

Rescue Mission

Here are recent responses from those rescued through SCAA emergency callouts:

For Clive, an act of kindness ended up in a limb-threatening injury when he fell from a ladder onto a concrete floor.

"I think I can honestly say if the air ambulance team hadn't arrived, I would have probably lost my lower leg, and my life would have been entirely different. You hear the good things they do, but no one can appreciate what a great service this is until it affects you personally."

A hillwalking outing ended in a life-threatening experience for Mel, as she and her husband Simon were involved in a serious road traffic collision with a huge black truck.

"Everything went loud, and then all went completely still."

"The next thing I remembered is John; he was calm, collected, and reassuring when he said it would take 13 mins to the nearest hospital. A journey that would have taken 1 hour by road."

"Having SCAA available made the difference - as people they were fantastic, the service they provide made an awful situation much better than what it could have been. A massive thank you to John and rest of the SCAA crew for hope and a sense of reassurance."

Player Support

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have raised over £950,000 to support the work of Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) through the Postcode Care Trust. SCAA's mission is to ensure that you can access the best emergency response in the shortest time possible, no matter where you live in Scotland.

Player support is helping air ambulances provide the most effective means to get immediate care to patients, transporting them quickly to the most appropriate hospital facility, especially in the most remote and rural parts of Scotland. They also airlift specialist consultant-led teams to scenes, provide ground assistance to land ambulances and transfer hospital patients who require specialist treatment.

Players have helped cover operational costs related to hundreds of callouts, including taking expert paramedic care to the scene of time-critical emergencies. Their role is to transport patients to specialist hospitals to receive the most appropriate advanced care - whether that is that on the road, in a field, or at someone's home.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said, "This is a critical service with rising demand, and being able to intervene at the right moment is lifesaving. We are pleased that our players are enabling Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance to access those in need promptly.

"A life saved is a true win. Players have helped over 9,000 good causes and will continue supporting such lifesaving efforts through playing together and winning together."

Making A Difference

People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Scottish Air Ambulance make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities which our players support.