The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has announced its support for Cornwall Air Ambulance, the charity tasked to over 1,000 missions across Cornwall and Scilly each year.
Steamship Group customers can now help the charity’s fundraising efforts by making a voluntary donation when booking travel via www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
Since April 2019, the Group has helped raise almost £140,000 for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and The Island Haven through voluntary donations when booking travel via its website and is now introducing the same method of fundraising for Cornwall Air Ambulance.
Cornwall Air Ambulance provides pre-hospital emergency care to people who are critically ill or injured. The team of specialist paramedics, doctors and pilots is operational 19 hours a day, 365 days a year, with an AW169 helicopter and two rapid response vehicles.
In 2023, the air ambulance responded to 28 missions on the Isles of Scilly and can be on the islands in less than 30 minutes.
It invests in specialist equipment that enables it to attend the Isles of Scilly. It carries lifejackets and a life raft on board the helicopter, it has built in floatation devices, and the aircrew undergo Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) specifically so they can provide a service to the Isles of Scilly.
Grandad Michael Easton was visiting the Isles of Scilly when he suffered a cardiac arrest and needed the help of Cornwall Air Ambulance.
The crew airlifted Michael to the Royal Cornwall Hospital on the mainland where he underwent heart surgery to have a stent fitted.
He has been supporting the charity ever since and even won its lottery jackpot.
Michael said: “Hopefully I don’t need the air ambulance again, but it’s very reassuring to know it’s there.”
The charity receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of the people of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and beyond to keep flying.
Stuart Reid, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, said: “The Isles of Scilly’s remote location means it is many miles from the nearest major hospital, so knowing that the air ambulance could be with you in just 30 minutes in your time of need is a comfort to all who live and work on the islands.
“We are delighted to be adding Cornwall Air Ambulance to the range of charities and good causes we support. We are committed to giving back to the community we are proud to have been serving for more than 100 years, in line with our founding principles.”
Tim Bunting, Chief Executive of Cornwall Air Ambulance, said: “We are proud to provide the only dedicated critical care service to those who visit and live on the Isles of Scilly and in Cornwall, helping patients who need pre-hospital emergency care across our rural county. So far this year we have been tasked to 16 missions on the Isles of Scilly, with half of those being in May alone.
“As a charity, we rely on the support of local businesses, community groups and individuals to help keep your helicopter flying. We are delighted that the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has chosen to support the charity in this way, and we are incredibly grateful to anyone who chooses to donate when travelling via Scillonian or Skybus.”
The Steamship Company gives back around £1 million per year to the local community, supporting a huge range of groups, good causes, sporting events, subsidised travel for island residents, medical flights and off-island freight.
With more than 200 employees, including engineers, mariners, pilots, front line workers and office staff, the Steamship Group is one of West Cornwall’s biggest employers.
It has been delivering for Scilly for more than 100 years, connecting the islands with the rest of the country. Established by islanders in March 1920, the business has grown into a major air and sea operation, transporting more than 200,000 passengers and 15,000 tonnes of freight a year.