County Air Ambulance Trust (help Appeal)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £8,400,000
• Total Raised: Over £100 million since 1992
• Grant Range: £95,000 - £2,800,000
• Geographic Focus: Throughout England, Wales, and Scotland
• Application Method: No public application process - direct partnership model
• Helipads Funded: 25 new, 20 upgraded since 2009
• Total Landings: Over 30,000 on funded helipads

Contact Details

Website: https://helpappeal.org.uk

Email: info@helpappeal.org.uk

Phone: 01922 618058

Address: PO Box 999, Walsall WS2 7YX

Overview

The County Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT), operating the HELP Appeal, was founded in 1992 to provide essential funding for the first air ambulance in the central region. Incorporated in April 1995 and registered as a charity in July 1996, the organization has since evolved into the only charity in the UK dedicated to funding lifesaving NHS hospital helipads. Launching the HELP Appeal campaign in 2009, the Trust has donated over £40 million to helipad projects alone, with total fundraising exceeding £100 million since inception. The organization's strategic focus centers on ensuring Major Trauma Centres and key A&E hospitals have suitable helipad access, enabling air ambulance patients to receive critical treatment within the “Golden Hour” - the crucial first 60 minutes following major trauma when intervention can mean the difference between life and death. With over 30,000 recorded landings on their funded helipads and 50+ planned projects in the pipeline worth £55 million, the HELP Appeal continues to play a pivotal role in the UK's emergency medical response infrastructure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hospital Helipad Construction and Upgrades

• New helipad construction: £95,000 - £2,800,000
• Helipad upgrades and equipment: £34,000 - £562,500
• Focus on Major Trauma Centres and A&E hospitals
• Recent examples: Manchester (£1.36M), Salford Royal (£2M), Dorset County Hospital (£2M), Norfolk (£516K)

Air Ambulance Airbase Infrastructure

• Airbase helipads and facilities: £300,000 - £2,500,000
• Hangar construction and redevelopment
• Recent examples: Midlands Air Ambulance Shifnal (£2.5M), Strensham redevelopment (£1.8M)

Supporting Infrastructure and Equipment

• Weather stations for helipads: £34,000 - £37,000
• Helipad lighting and fire-fighting equipment: £132,000+
• Critical care vehicles and equipment: £22,000 - £100,000
• Flight helmets and specialized equipment

BASICS Annual Grants

• £250,000 annual commitment since 2019 (now in seventh year)
• Distributed among British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) schemes
• Funds emergency response vehicles, communication equipment, and medical supplies for 900+ volunteer medical professionals

Priority Areas

1. Major Trauma Centres: All 16 Major Trauma Centres across the UK are priority recipients for helipad funding
2. A&E Hospitals: Key accident and emergency departments requiring helipad access
3. Regional Trauma Networks: Working within established NHS trauma care networks across England, Wales, and Scotland
4. Remote and Island Communities: Funding helipads on islands including Gigha, Mull, and Skye in partnership with Royal Engineers
5. Air Ambulance Service Infrastructure: Supporting operational bases for charity air ambulance services
6. Golden Hour Response: Projects that enable critical treatment within 60 minutes of major trauma
7. Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: Supporting BASICS volunteers who provide immediate care at incident scenes

What They Don't Fund

The HELP Appeal has a highly specific focus. They do not fund:

• General hospital equipment unrelated to air ambulance operations
• Air ambulance running costs or operational expenses (fuel, staff, aircraft maintenance)
• Research projects
• General NHS building projects
• Ambulance services (ground-based)
• Projects outside the scope of helicopter emergency medical services
• Individual patient care or treatment costs

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Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Robert Bertram - Chief Executive

As Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, Robert Bertram leads the organization's strategic partnerships with NHS trusts and air ambulance services. He has been instrumental in securing major funding commitments, including the annual £250,000 pledge to BASICS. On BASICS volunteers, he stated: "BASICS volunteers are lifesavers – it's as simple as that. Not only do they have demanding and extremely challenging jobs helping patients every day, but they also give up their free time to help save lives by supporting the UK ambulance service, 365 days of the year."

Board of Trustees

Michael Henriques - Chair of Trustees (appointed July 2019)

John Jones DL - Deputy Chair

Additional Trustees: Paul Harris, Richard Everard OBE DL, Hon Arthur Vestey, Toby Askin, Julie Kirkbride, Tom Heber-Percy, Richard Arnold

Hugh Meynell MBE - Life President (1927-2025)

Founding Chairman who served for 25 years before becoming Life President. Under his leadership, the Trust raised over £100 million and established the HELP Appeal in 2009. He was instrumental in developing vital air ambulance services and helipad infrastructure across the country. Mr. Meynell passed away in January 2025 at age 94.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

How to Apply to County Air Ambulance Trust (help Appeal)

How to Apply

The County Air Ambulance Trust does not have a public application process. The organization operates through a strategic partnership model where they proactively identify NHS hospitals and air ambulance services requiring helipad infrastructure based on trauma care needs and regional service gaps.

The Trust works collaboratively with:

• NHS hospital trusts at Major Trauma Centres
• Regional trauma networks
• Charity air ambulance services
• Healthcare planners and emergency medical services coordinators

Projects are typically identified through the Trust's own research into healthcare infrastructure needs, consultation with trauma care networks, and engagement with NHS planning processes. Many projects are “tied in to new hospital building programmes” across the country.

For BASICS schemes only: Member schemes of the British Association for Immediate Care can apply for portions of the annual £250,000 grant through BASICS's internal application process.

Getting on Their Radar

While the HELP Appeal does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations may come to the Trust's attention through:

1. NHS Major Trauma Centre Status: Hospitals designated as Major Trauma Centres are priority targets for the HELP Appeal's proactive funding approach

2. Regional Trauma Network Planning: The Trust works within established NHS trauma care networks and participates in regional healthcare infrastructure planning discussions

3. Air Ambulance Service Relationships: Charity air ambulance services with established operational needs for airbases or helipad infrastructure can engage with the Trust, particularly if they are part of the national air ambulance network

4. NHS Capital Development Programs: Hospitals undertaking major building projects or Emergency Department upgrades that include helipad requirements may be identified during planning stages

5. Partnership with Royal Engineers: The Trust has a specific partnership with Royal Engineer regiments to construct helipads in remote and island communities

Note: The Trust's strategic approach means they typically initiate contact with potential recipients rather than responding to requests. Their focus on Major Trauma Centres and regional trauma care infrastructure guides their project selection.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process. The Trust operates on a project development timeline that includes:

• Infrastructure needs assessment
• Partnership agreement with NHS trusts or air ambulance services
• Funding commitment and project planning
• Construction timeline (typically 12-24 months for major helipad projects)
• Opening and handover

Major helipad projects from funding commitment to completion typically take 1-3 years depending on complexity and integration with broader hospital development programs.

Application Success Factors

Given the HELP Appeal's strategic partnership model, organizations that receive funding share common characteristics:

Critical Infrastructure Gaps

The Trust prioritizes projects that address genuine gaps in emergency medical response infrastructure, particularly where the absence of a helipad results in secondary transfers or delayed access to trauma care. Projects demonstrating measurable impact on the “Golden Hour” trauma response are prioritized.

Major Trauma Centre Designation

NHS hospitals with Major Trauma Centre status receive priority consideration. The Trust has committed to ensuring all 16 Major Trauma Centres across the UK have suitable helipad access.

Regional Coverage and Equity

The Trust considers geographic distribution to ensure equitable access to air ambulance services across England, Wales, and Scotland. Recent expansion into Scotland with 14 funded or planned projects demonstrates commitment to national coverage.

Integration with Trauma Networks

Projects that strengthen regional trauma care networks and improve patient pathways within NHS trauma systems align with the Trust's strategic objectives.

Partnership Readiness

NHS trusts and air ambulance services that demonstrate readiness to proceed with construction, necessary planning permissions, and commitment to ongoing helipad maintenance are positioned to receive funding.

Operational Impact Data

Air ambulance services that can demonstrate current operational constraints or projected increases in emergency callouts that would be addressed by new infrastructure strengthen the case for funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not a Traditional Grant-Maker: The HELP Appeal does not accept unsolicited applications. They proactively identify and fund projects based on strategic assessment of national trauma care infrastructure needs.

• NHS Major Trauma Centres are Priority: If your organization is a designated Major Trauma Centre without suitable helipad access, you are likely already on the Trust's radar for potential funding.

• Focus on the Golden Hour: All funding decisions center on enabling emergency medical treatment within 60 minutes of major trauma - the critical window that determines patient outcomes.

• Partnership Model: The Trust works collaboratively with NHS trusts and air ambulance services over extended timelines, often integrating funding with broader hospital development programs.

• Substantial Grant Values: The Trust makes significant capital investments ranging from £95,000 to £2.8 million, reflecting the complexity and cost of helipad infrastructure projects.

• National Scope with Regional Gaps: While England, Wales, and Scotland are all covered, the Trust particularly focuses on areas where geographic challenges or service gaps create trauma care inequities.

• Evidence-Based Selection: Projects are selected based on trauma care data, regional service analysis, and demonstrated need rather than competitive application processes.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons' Fund Of Benevolence (mark Benevolent Fund)
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity
• The Federation Of Groundwork Trusts
• University Hospitals Bristol & Weston Charity
• The Thomas J Horne Memorial Trust
• The James Tudor Foundation
• P F Charitable Trust
• Association Of Nhs Charities
• Beryl Doreen Thomas Charitable Trust
• The Adint Charitable Trust

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - County Air Ambulance Trust (1057063) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1057063 -

1. HELP Appeal Official Website - https://helpappeal.org.uk -

1. HELP Appeal Funding Information - https://helpappeal.org.uk/funding/ -

1. County Air Ambulance Trust About Us - https://countyairambulancetrust.org.uk/about-us/ -

1. "HELP Appeal Provides Fundamental Support To Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's Airbase & Headquarters" - Midlands Air Ambulance Charity - https://www.midlandsairambulance.com - January 2024

1. “HELP Appeal funds upgrade to QEUH Glasgow helipad” - HeliHub.com - December 2024

1. “New Chairman appointed for County Air Ambulance Trust” - AirMed&Rescue - July 2019

1. "Tributes to charity's 'true gentleman' and 'visionary' life president" - Shropshire Star - January 2025

1. “HELP Appeal charity makes £250,000 donation to BASICS” - Charity Today News - https://www.charitytoday.co.uk - 2024

1. “26,000 landings on HELP Appeal funded helipads” - HeliHub.com - November 2023

1. “County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal makes third £250,000 donation” - Charity Today News - December 2021

1. "UK's HELP Appeal funds new helipad for Norfolk hospital" - AirMed&Rescue - 2024

1. St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - County Air Ambulance Trust information - https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/about/charities/county-air-ambulance-trust/ -