Essex & Herts Air Ambulance boosts response with new helipad and critical care car funding

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) has unveiled a newly refurbished helipad and a brand-new critical care car at its Earls Colne airbase in eastern England, funded by a grant of nearly £100,000 from the HELP Appeal.

The HELP Appeal, the only UK charity dedicated to funding helipads at National Health Service (NHS) hospitals and air ambulance bases, supported the helipad refurbishment to ensure it met the latest aviation standards and remained fully operational for lifesaving missions.

The charity has also funded a new critical care car, bringing EHAAT’s fleet to six. These rapid response vehicles are deployed at night or when helicopters are grounded by bad weather or maintenance, ensuring continuous emergency coverage across the counties of Essex and Hertfordshire.

Mark Jarman-Howe, Chief Executive Officer at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, said: “Our mission is to deliver the best pre-hospital care, and this grant will play a big part in helping us continue to do that… It’s vital we have the latest equipment and facilities so we can get our teams to where they’re needed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Critical care cars play a critical role alongside the helicopters in our lifesaving service, and the crew is delighted with its new ride!”

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, added: “We are delighted to be able to help support Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. By funding both their base helipad and a new critical care car, we’re helping lifesaving teams reach the most critically ill patients in the region… We look forward to announcing more exciting helipad news during the year.”