News story
22 October 2019
Addenbrooke’s charity fundraising success raises hopes of an anticipated second emergency children’s ambulance.
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) is delighted to announce that it has already raised over £108,000 to kit out the first of two Emergency Children’s Ambulances to transfer critically ill children across the East of England.
While there is currently an ambulance service for adults and babies in the region, there is not one for children. A dedicated emergency children’s ambulance would have the specialist equipment needed to keep desperately ill children alive during transfers, reducing the long waiting times for an ambulance from London and also the distress and worry for anxious parents.
When the service is fully funded and both ambulances are operational it will help move over 1,700 children around the region annually.
Funds for the first ambulance service were successfully raised in part thanks to the recent Chariots of Fire event – a relay race through the iconic grounds of the Cambridge colleges – masterminded by Hewitson’s Charitable Trust and with ACT as the official chosen charity.
The event was so successful that ACT exceeded its target and now has its sights set on putting a second ambulance on the road to complete the service, ensuring that children swiftly get the care and expertise that their lives depend on.
Rob Heuschkel, CUH Clinical Director for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, said: “This is really brilliant news. Having one children’s ambulance on the road will make a huge difference, but having two will be a major step toward providing the very best care for all critically ill children who need moving across the East of England. While we plan for the forthcoming children’s hospital, it is great to see us improving services now that will benefit many children and families in the future.”
ACT’s Director of Fundraising, Gemma Downham, said: “We are so touched by the generosity of our patients and community who have worked so hard to raise money for the new ambulance. This service is vital to make sure we get the poorliest children in our region to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, quickly and safely, at such a frightening time.”
Please help Addenbrooke’s kit out a second emergency children’s ambulance and help provide the highest level of care for the region’s sickest children by fundraising or donating now at www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/ambulance.
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