Why we’re supporting Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance

Charitable Donations – Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance

As a Co-operative organisation, our corporate social responsibility at the First Aid Training Co-operative is high on our agenda. As reported in our newsletter recently, as we enter our 9^th year of operation we’re delighted to officially support two UK based charities whose aims are closely aligned with ours in terms of improving the outcomes of medical emergencies in the community. 

The two charities we’ve partnered with are Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), and AED Donate.  This year, we’ve made a donation equivalent to 1% of our profits after tax to each of them, something we’re committed to annually as part of our partnership.

Why SCAA?

We have long been supporters of SCAA, and in fact visited one of their bases at Perth Airport, Scone, as part of our very first AGM.  SCAA has also presented at both editions of our First Aid Trainers Conference, where we raised money through a raffle at each event.  

As you’ll read below, SCAA provides a vital service in Scotland where there are a tiny number of air ambulances in comparison to the rest of the UK, and especially where the remote environment often means that any other form of transport is impractical. 

Who is SCAA?

SCAA is Scotland’s only charity air ambulance service, funded entirely by donations from the people of Scotland.

Working in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), SCAA is an integral part of Scotland’s frontline emergency response network, responding to trauma incidents and medical emergencies across the Scottish mainland and it’s many islands, covering an area of more than 30,000 square miles. 

They have two crews operating from Perth and Aberdeen. The crews take pre-hospital paramedic or doctor-led care to the scene of an accident or emergency where they can treat the patient before flying them to the most appropriate hospital for their needs, in the quickest time possible.

What does it cost to run SCAA?

They need to raise £6m per year to maintain their life-saving service, something we’re more than happy to contribute to.

They have a bank of 12 paramedics and four pilots along with fundraising staff and lots of volunteers.

SCAA doesn’t receive any statutory government funding and so relies 100% on public donations to help them make a difference. A life-saving difference.

What is the advantage of an air ambulance?

As we stress in many of our courses, being remote means your first aid care for your casualty is extended in time until any Emergency Services can get to you. With SCAA attending, that time is much reduced. 

They respond to time critical emergencies which can happen anywhere at any time. The benefits of a helicopter bring more than just speed – SCAA delivers expert paramedic and specialist team care to a scene, reaching casualties that may not be accessible by land crews. 

Their helicopters fly at around 150 miles per hour and can reach most of the country within 75 minutes.  During the week in which we made our donation at the start of July 2023, they had just completed their 5000^th rapid emergency response since launching in May 2013. 

How can YOU help SCAA?

Follow them on social media, join their weekly lottery, hold a fundraising event or just donate! You can find out more about SCAA and it’s work here.

#saving time, saving lives