Cambridgeshire: Charity Gets Helicopter

17 April 2012, 10:05 | Updated: 17 April 2012, 11:04

The emergency medical charity Magpas is getting its own helicopter.

The charity trains and deploys physicians and paramedics to incidents across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk, Suffolk and Bedfordshire when the East of England Ambulance Service asks for support.

Since 1997, Magpas has sent physicians and paramedics to incidents during the day and at night on-board the Cambridgeshire Police helicopter.

However Cambridgeshire Police now no longer has its own dedicated helicopter due to funding cuts, and instead shares one with a neighbouring force.

Now, Magpas has secured its own helicopter, which will arrive before the end of the month and be in the air soon afterwards.

Magpas doctors and physicians also travels to incidents using a rapid response vehicle.

Daryl Brown, Chief Executive of Magpas, said: "Magpas remains the only enhanced charity medical team available both night and day in the region. 

Our volunteer medics will be on call night and day, caring for those whose lives are in danger following a severe medical emergency. 

Magpas is proud to continue offering this essential service, we receive no state funding and we are extremely grateful to the public for their incredibly generous donations."