Organised by Air Ambulances UK, the national awareness week will see Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance join other air ambulance charities around the country in a campaign called ‘Every Second Counts and Every Penny Matters’.

Air ambulance charities rapidly deliver advanced life-saving pre-hospital care directly to patients who have suffered a life-threatening injury or illness, essentially bring the emergency department to them. In these cases, every second counts towards the patients’ survival.

In 2020, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were tasked to 2,016 incidents. The critical care team also provided 38 time-critical inter-hospital transfers and administered blood products to 35 patients, drastically improving their chances of getting to hospital alive.

The charity does not receive direct funding from government or the National Lottery, so relies on the generosity of the public to help raise their operational costs of over £5 million a year. Each mission costs approximately £3,000.

This Sunday 5 September, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance will hold their Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge 2021. Participants will cycle either the 55-mile route from Watchet to West Bay, or a shorter 11-mile route from Drimpton.

Donations can be made online, via the charity’s website: www.dsairambulance.org.uk/donate, or by calling: 01823 669604. For those who would like to donate £5 via their mobile phone, you can text: DSAA to 70085. (Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message).

Air Ambulances UK are also running an ‘Every Second Counts’prize draw in partnership with Rotary Clubs across the UK and the online raffle company Raffolux, with the chance to win a brand new Audi Q3 Sportback. All profits made from the draw will be split between the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities. To play and view more information, including all terms and conditions, please visit: www.everysecondcountsraffle.co.uk

Fundraising manager for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Emma Jones, said: “We would love you to help us raise the vital funds needed for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance to continue saving lives. There are so many fun and fabulous ways to fundraise, from sponsored dance marathons to cake bakes, abseils and skydiving. Create your own bespoke fundraiser- we will support you. There are lots of ideas on our website, including how you can donate on a regular basis. Alternatively, give our fundraising team a call on: 01823 669604 and we will be delighted to help. On behalf of the patients who need us, thank you for your amazing support.”

More information about Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, can be found by visiting: www.dsairambulance.org.uk