COLUMN: DLRAA thank volunteers for their dedication

As of last month, our air ambulance has been out on 943 missions. By the end of this year, we’ll have been out on over 1,000 missions to people in desperate need of lifesaving care.

But we absolutely would not be able to continue the vital work we do without your help. We receive no government funding – all £1,700 we need for every single mission comes from the generosity of you, the public. Our service is lifted into the air by your goodwill.

So this festive season we’re saying an absolutely massive thank you to everyone who helps keep us flying. 
Between us and our sister service, Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, we have over 300 volunteers in our local communities and over 500 more helping in our shops. As well as our wonderful volunteers, we have hundreds of supporters who have raised funds for us over the course of the year. From silent auctions to music festivals to raffles and stalls at the local fete, every single penny helps us stay in the air.

We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us this year, and every year we’ve been running.

Despite Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance having only operated since 2008, we reached our 7,000th mission in summer this year.

Without the support of our local communities, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. So this festive season we’re thankful for you – the people who really keep us saving lives. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from us.