Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has celebrated a major milestone after its ‘Operation Airbase’ appeal reached its £3.6 million fundraising target, helping support the charity’s historic move from its long-standing base at Thruxton near Andover.
The achievement comes just weeks after the service’s final flight departed from Thruxton on 22nd May, bringing to a close more than 19 years of operations from the airfield. Since launching from a small portacabin in 2007, the charity has grown into one of the region’s leading pre-hospital emergency medicine services, responding to thousands of emergencies across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The successful fundraising campaign has enabled the relocation to a new purpose-built airbase near Southampton Airport, a move designed to improve response times and help crews reach patients more quickly in life-threatening situations.
More than 13,000 donors contributed to the appeal after it launched in September 2024, with support coming from local businesses, community groups, trusts, foundations and individual fundraisers. Together, they helped raise the £3.6 million needed to make the ambitious project a reality.
Supporters took part in a variety of fundraising events and challenges, ranging from demanding endurance events such as the Three Peaks Challenge to community favourites including Dash in the Dark and the Runway Run.
The move to the new airbase represents a significant step forward for the charity. While teams continue a period of testing and familiarisation at the site, the benefits are already being seen. During the first weekend of operating from the new location, crews responded to 20 emergencies across the south – significantly above the average of seven missions per day.
The relocation is expected to allow doctors, pilots and paramedics to reach almost every patient within 10 minutes of take-off, helping deliver critical specialist care when every second counts.
Keith Wilson, Director of Income and Engagement, said: “This is an extremely proud and significant occasion for our charity and the countless patients whose lives will be saved and changed as a result of this move.
“It makes it even more special that every single penny of this appeal has been raised by people in our communities.
“A special thank you to everyone who got behind us and this move. You will all hold a special place in the heart of this air ambulance service for many years to come.”
The charity has thanked everyone who supported the appeal, saying the generosity and commitment shown by communities across the region will help save and improve lives for many years to come.