Devon Air Ambulance celebrates three decades of service

To celebrate the occasion, DAAT is hosting two community events where members of the public can meet crew members – one was at Bideford Rugby Club on Sunday 10 July, and the second will be at Darts Farm near Exeter on 13 August.

The charity has also launched a new fundraising campaign – the ‘Devon Air Amble’ – which encourages supporters to do a sponsored 165 mile (265km) walk along a route featuring ‘storytelling milestones’ about DAAT’s history between 1 August and 30 September 2022.

Jo Rigby, Fundraising Manager at Devon Air Ambulance explained: “By taking part in our virtual tour – or Devon Air ‘Amble’ - across the county and adding up the steps you take every day, you’ll not only uncover some interesting facts about of our charity’s history, but you and those who kindly sponsor you to complete the challenge, will also be helping to raise lifesaving funds to keep our crews responding to patients who need our urgent help.”

DAAT operates two helicopters – an Airbus EC 135, based at Eaglescott Airfield near Burrington; and an H145 helicopter, based at Exeter Airport. The organization is also in the process of establishing a series of dedicated ‘night landing sites’ across the county – it opened two in April in Otterton and Tavistock.

Neighbouring air ambulance charity Cornwall Air Ambulance (CAA) also recently celebrated a landmark birthday, commemorating 35 years of operations in April 2022.