Air Ambulance forges new partnership with The National Forest

The Air Ambulance service covering a large part of the East and West Midlands is to partner with The National Forest to create an ‘Air Ambulance Memorial Woodland’.

The new initiative will enable supporters of the Air Ambulance, which covers Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, to plant a tree in memory of their loved one, helping to create a beautiful natural woodland whilst leaving a lasting legacy by helping to keep a vital life-saving service flying.

The woodland will be created in the heart of the National Forest near Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire and very close to the beautiful Staunton Harold Estate. It provides a perfect place to reflect and celebrate memories of loved ones, either on your own or with friends and family.

Charles Robinson, Head of Forestry at the National Forest Company, said: “We are really pleased to be working with the Air Ambulance to create a special place for commemoration and celebration in the heart of the National Forest. This new woodland makes an important contribution to our tree planting targets and will be part of a rich tapestry of woodlands in the area.”

Ellen Marzell, Head of Fundraising for the Air Ambulance Service, added: “We know that memories of our loved ones are precious and that is why we want to help keep those memories flying. We encourage those who have lost someone dear to them to buy and plant a tree so that one day we can fill the woodland and they can visit a peaceful place to remember and reflect.

“It will also help to keep our helicopters flying so they can continue to get to injured people quickly and help save lives.”

The charity is offering two packages:

• £50 (suggested donation) package, where supporters can purchase their tree and it will be planted on their behalf by the National Forest’s expert foresters.
• £150 (suggested donation) package, which will enable supporters to attend special tree planting days with their family and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the National Forest. The first tree planting day will take place in November 2018.

The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) routinely carries senior doctors and consultants on board, in essence, taking the hospital to the patient and allowing them to provide advanced treatment on scene. The service attends an average of six missions a day. Each mission costs approximately £1,700.