First of two new emergency children’s ambulance services for the East of England funded thanks to donations

Addenbrooke’s charity fundraising success raises hopes of an anticipated second emergency children’s ambulance service.

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) is delighted to announce that it has 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 over 1,700 children 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 really is brilliant news. Having one children’s ambulance on the road will make a big difference but two will really strengthen our service in providing the very best care in transferring critically ill children from across the East of England. While plans for the forthcoming children’s hospital are in development, our current services still need attention and this is a great example of that achievement.”

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 donate now at www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/ambulance.