Air Ambulance Week 2026 takes off across the UK this week, with Air Ambulances UK and the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities coming together to celebrate the people, organisations and communities whose support helps air ambulance crews deliver lifesaving care every day.
Running from 7–13 September, this year’s campaign carries a simple message: “Every Mission Starts With You.”
Across the UK, air ambulance charities are collectively responding to an average of 137 lifesaving missions every day. Behind every one of those missions is the support of people who donate, fundraise, volunteer and help raise awareness of their local air ambulance charity.
Air ambulance crews bring the Emergency Department to patients who have suffered a life-threatening or life-changing trauma or medical emergency. Specialist doctors, paramedics and nurses work alongside highly trained pilots and other crew members, using advanced equipment, medicines and clinical interventions to provide critical care at the scene.
But air ambulance charities are independent charities and rely almost entirely on charitable donations to continue this work.
Mike McGrath, Chief Executive of Air Ambulances UK, said:
“Every mission starts with you – and that couldn’t be more true for the UK’s air ambulance charities. Behind every lifesaving mission is the support of people and organisations backing their local air ambulance, whether through donations, fundraising, volunteering, or helping to raise awareness – every action makes such an impact. Air Ambulance Week is an opportunity to recognise that vital support and the role it plays in helping crews deliver lifesaving care across the UK, because every mission really does start with you.”
Throughout the week, Air Ambulances UK will be sharing stories from across the sector, highlighting the people behind the missions and the difference advanced pre-hospital critical care can make to patients and their families.
The campaign will also reach audiences across the UK through a wide programme of media, partnership, parliamentary, fundraising and awareness activity.
An estimated 65 million pieces of Royal Mail post will carry a “Support your local air ambulance” message during the week, while national media activity is expected to reach millions of people through outlets including Heart Radio, talkSPORT, ITV, The Metro, House Magazine and Your Horse & Country.
The week will also see air ambulance charities and their supporters taking the sector’s message to Westminster, including activity in Parliament and the hand-in of a public petition calling for safeguarded 24/7 on-site hospital helipad access at Major Trauma Centres and specialist hospitals.
Air Ambulances UK is also working with the Civil Aviation Authority to highlight the serious impact of laser attacks on air ambulance aircraft, while new campaign content, patient stories, ambassador activity and fundraising initiatives will be shared throughout the week.
Alongside the national programme, air ambulance charities across the UK will be holding their own events, supporter activities, fundraising initiatives, media opportunities and community engagement, helping to showcase both the national importance and local impact of the sector.
Air ambulance charities receive no day-to-day Government funding for their charitable operations and depend on public support to continue providing lifesaving care.
Air Ambulances UK is calling on people across the UK to support their local air ambulance charity this Air Ambulance Week – whether by making a donation, fundraising, volunteering or simply helping to tell others about the vital work they do.
Because anyone, anywhere in the UK can become a patient at any time.
Every mission starts with you.
To find out more about Air Ambulance Week and how you can support your local air ambulance charity, visit www.airambulancesuk.org.
