What Cornwall Air Ambulance does

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust is a UK-registered charity (Charity Number 1133295) founded in 1987, operating the only helicopter emergency medical service covering Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It runs two Leonardo AW169 helicopters under an operations contract with Castle Air (renewed May 2025), with the second aircraft entering service in August 2025 following the successful HELi2 capital appeal. Crew capabilities include critical care paramedics delivering advanced pre-hospital care, Blood on Board (in operation since 2020), Night Vision Imaging Systems, real-time weather station integration for extended operating hours, and a medical collaboration with Formula 1 teams to translate motorsport medical advancements into HEMS practice. Mission volumes reached 1,064 in 2024, with nearly 500 additional missions completed in the first half of 2025, against a 26,000+ mission lifetime total.

The charity employs 51 paid staff alongside approximately 270 volunteers, supported by an HQ and crew training facility in Newquay and an expanded Operations Wing opened in 2023. It operates a diversified fundraising model with no government funding for operations: individual donations (single and monthly Aircrew Club / HELi Heroes), a weekly lottery, a network of eight charity shops across Cornwall, legacies and in-memory giving, corporate platinum partnerships (Cornerstone, Carbis Bay Estate, Adventure 001 and others), events and challenge fundraising (Helifest, Heli Hike, Runway Runaround, Kilimanjaro/Sahara/Camino treks), merchandise (including Cornish music compilations), and trusts and grants (e.g., £100,000 Bradbury Foundation). Distribution spans a regional omnichannel presence — website, Airtime magazine, social channels, physical shops, community talks, TV documentary (Cornwall Air 999), and an ambassador network that includes royal patronage and celebrity supporters (Gordon Ramsay, Paul Ainsworth, Richard Madeley). The commercial activity is housed in a trading subsidiary, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trading Limited (company number 10227352).

Name

Cornwall Air Ambulance

Legal name

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust

Website

https://cornwallairambulancetrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust is a UK charity founded in 1987 that operates two Leonardo AW169 helicopters providing helicopter emergency medical services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, funded entirely by public donations, charity shops, lottery, events, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Ambulance Emergency Medical Services

NAICS

Ambulance Services (621910)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD)

Keywords

• Helicopter emergency medical services
• Air ambulance charity
• Critical care paramedic
• Emergency pre-hospital care
• Charity fundraising operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Newquay

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including monthly giving through Aircrew Club and single contributions via website, phone, or post.
2. Lottery: Weekly lottery with prizes including jackpot wins. Players pay to enter with proceeds supporting the charity.
3. Charity Shops: Multiple retail locations across Cornwall selling donated pre-loved items, branded merchandise, and Christmas cards.
4. Legacies and Wills: Gifts in wills from supporters leaving lasting legacies to support future missions.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Business support including platinum partnerships, corporate sponsorships, charity of the year relationships, and employee giving programs.
6. Events and Challenges: Participation fees and fundraising from events including Helifest, Heli Hike, Runway Runaround, skydives, marathons, and trekking challenges.
7. Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including CDs (Sing it Home, Voices of Cornwall), clothing, accessories, and Christmas cards sold online and in shops.
8. Trusts and Grants: Funding from charitable trusts, foundations, and government grants including LIBOR grants and crematorium metal recycling schemes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust operates a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, providing rapid advanced pre-hospital critical care to patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses. The charity funds this operation entirely through public donations, charity shops, lottery, events, and corporate partnerships, with no government funding for operating costs. It operates two Leonardo AW169 helicopters through Castle Air, equipped with blood products, night vision, and Formula 1-derived medical capabilities.

Product overview

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust operates a unified charitable service portfolio centered on its core lifesaving helicopter emergency medical service. The product offering comprises three main categories: (1) Donation products including Single Donation, Christmas Donation, and In Memory tribute donations for direct financial support; (2) Branded merchandise including CAAT Pen, Heli Pin Badge, Cotton Tote Bag, Sing it Home Album (CD), Voices of Cornwall CD, Heli Mug, Poncho Ball, CAAT Cooler Bag, Black or White Lunch Box, and Caat Snap Band sold through the online shop; and (3) Engagement products including the Cornwall Air Ambulance Lottery and Airtime Magazine newsletter. The HELi2 Appeal represents the major capital fundraising campaign for the second AW169 helicopter. All products and services are designed to generate funds for the charity's air ambulance operations with no government funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HELi2 Appeal: Capital campaign to fund the second AW169 helicopter
• HELi Heroes
• Aircrew Club
• Helifest
• Runway Runaround
• Airtime Magazine

Products and services

• Single Donation One-time monetary donation allowing individual supporters to contribute funds to support Cornwall Air Ambulance's helicopter emergency medical missions. Suggested amounts include £5, £10, £20, £50, £100, £200, and £1,000.
• Monthly Donation (Aircrew Club) Recurring monthly donation programme that helps the charity plan ahead and invest in future missions. Includes the Aircrew Club monthly giving programme.
• Christmas Donation Designated festive donation option for supporters to make Christmas contributions. The 2024 campaign featured match funding up to £123,000.
• In Memory Donation Tribute donation option for supporters to make contributions in memory of loved ones, supporting the charity's lifesaving work.
• Charity Lottery Charity lottery programme with weekly draws, allowing supporters to participate in regular prize draws while supporting the air ambulance service.
• Charity Shops Eight physical charity shops located across Cornwall in Launceston, Wadebridge, Newquay, Helston, Camborne, St Austell, Bodmin, and Truro selling donated pre-loved items, branded merchandise, and Christmas cards.
• CAAT Pen (Bamboo Pen) Bamboo pen branded with Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust logo, priced at £1.00.
• Heli Pin Badge Pin badge featuring helicopter imagery, priced at £2.50.
• Cotton Tote Bag Reusable cotton tote bag branded with charity branding, priced at £2.95.
• Sing it Home Album (CD) Cornish compilation CD featuring local musicians celebrating the arrival of the second AW169 aircraft, priced at £7.00.
• Voices of Cornwall CD Album showcasing 19 tracks from contemporary Cornish musicians, titled 'en-sol' (arise in Cornish language), priced at £8.00.
• Heli Mug Branded mug featuring helicopter imagery, priced at £4.99.
• Poncho Ball Branded poncho ball item, priced at £2.99.
• CAAT Cooler Bag Branded cooler bag, priced at £3.75.
• Black or White Lunch Box Branded lunch box available in black or white options, priced at £3.50.
• Caat Snap Band Branded snap band wristband item sold as charity merchandise.
• Airtime Magazine Monthly newsletter magazine distributed to donors, keeping supporters informed about missions, events, fundraising appeals, and the charity's work.
• HELi2 Appeal Major capital fundraising appeal campaign to fund the second AW169 helicopter for Cornwall Air Ambulance, successfully reaching its target in April 2025 with the second helicopter becoming operational in August 2025.
• HELi Heroes Regular Giving Supporter recognition programme for regular givers who provide ongoing financial support to the charity.
• Helifest Annual Festival Annual family fun festival celebrating the work of Cornwall Air Ambulance and Cornwall's other blue light services, drawing approximately 4,800 attendees in 2025.
• Fundraising Challenges and Events Participation-based fundraising events including Heli Hike coastal trek, Runway Runaround 10k, skydives, marathons, and trekking challenges to Kilimanjaro, Sahara, and Camino.
• Gifts in Wills (Legacies) Programme allowing supporters to leave lasting legacies to support future missions through gifts in their wills.
• Corporate Partnerships Business engagement programme offering platinum partnerships, corporate sponsorships, charity of the year relationships, and employee giving programmes.
• Trusts and Grants Programme Funding programme receiving support from charitable trusts, foundations, and government grants including LIBOR grants and crematorium metal recycling schemes.
• Volunteer Programme Volunteer programme engaging approximately 270 volunteers in shop support, event assistance, community talks, jar collections, count room duties, reception, and eBay sales.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,064 missions completed in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.

• CornerstonecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2024Platinum partnership supporting the charity's lifesaving work. Strategic corporate partner with significant engagement.
• Castle AircoreTechnology or Integration · 24 November 2021Helicopter operations partner providing aircraft and piloting services. Contract signed in May 2025 for continued operations. Operates AW169 helicopters for the charity.
• Carbis Bay EstatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum partner supporting Cornwall Air Ambulance. Long-standing relationship with lifetime support recognition.
• Adventure 001majorGTM or Marketing PartnerPleasure flight experiences raising funds. Multiple donations totaling significant amounts (£50,000 in 2023, £42,000, £21,000).
• Her Majesty The QueenflagshipOthersRoyal patron of the charity. Officially named second AW169 helicopter in September 2025. Remains as patron following succession.
• Gordon Ramsay and Tana RamsayflagshipOthersCelebrity ambassadors supporting the charity since August 2020.
• Paul Ainsworth and Emma AinsworthflagshipOthersMichelin-starred chef and wife as ambassadors.
• Richard MadeleyflagshipOthersTV presenter ambassador who raised £62,500 on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
• Cornwall Blood BikesminorOthersBlood transport service supporting the charity's blood on board capability.
• Vision Zero South WestminorOthersPartnership on road safety podcast and initiatives.
• The Duchy of CornwallflagshipOthersRoyal connection through Duchy of Cornwall (Prince William's estate).
• St Michael's MountminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIconic landmark lighting up red to support the charity.
• ImerysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvery Step Matters campaign partnership.
• St Austell BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple donations including £16k and ventilator funding. Long-standing support.
• Camel Valley VineyardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonations exceeding £20,000. Partnership supporting the helicopter.
• Ann's CottageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelicopter sponsor for multiple years.
• Padstow Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCrew Brew partnership supporting the charity.
• Isles of Scilly Steamship CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNominated partner for transport connections.
• Cornish PiratesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRugby team charity partnership with joint events.
• Sharp's BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst major New Heli Appeal partner.
• Bishop FlemingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of crew uniforms and Runway Runaround 10k.
• South West WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFifth year of charity giving partnership.
• Motor Fuel GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCustomer and corporate support.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Devon Air Ambulance: Neighbouring UK Southwest region air ambulance charity operating a comparable donation-funded HEMS model with similar helicopter fleet, NHS partnership, and community fundraising infrastructure. Most directly comparable peer due to geographic proximity and overlapping catchment.
• Great Western Air Ambulance Charity: Charity-funded HEMS operator covering Bristol, Bath, and surrounding areas with similar mission mix, donation-based revenue model, and charity-shop fundraising infrastructure. Direct operational and business-model peer.
• Wiltshire Air Ambulance: Independent UK air ambulance charity operating a single helicopter across Wiltshire with a similar no-government-funding model, lottery, events, and corporate partnership fundraising portfolio.
• Yorkshire Air Ambulance: Larger UK regional air ambulance charity operating twin helicopters with a directly comparable donation-funded, charity-shop, lottery, and corporate sponsorship revenue mix — closest scale peer.
• London's Air Ambulance: UK HEMS charity operating in an urban environment with similar clinical capabilities (Blood on Board, advanced trauma care) and donation-funded model — though with higher NHS co-funding than purely charity-funded peers like Cornwall.
• Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS): Charity-funded HEMS serving the South East with directly comparable fundraising portfolio (lottery, shops, events, corporate partnerships) and helicopter-based trauma response mission profile.
• East Anglian Air Ambulance: UK charity air ambulance operating across East Anglia with matching mission scope, donation-driven revenue model, and retail/event fundraising infrastructure similar to Cornwall Air Ambulance.
• Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance: Adjacent Southwest region HEMS charity with near-identical operating model: charity-funded, single helicopter, lottery, charity shops, and community-led fundraising.
• Wales Air Ambulance: Charity-funded HEMS serving Wales with comparable mission profile, donation-only operating model, and multi-helicopter fleet strategy similar to Cornwall's recent expansion.
• Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA): Charity-funded helicopter air ambulance in Scotland operating with a comparable donation-driven model, charity shops, and corporate partnerships — a strong structural analogue for the Cornwall Air Ambulance operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cornwallairamb
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/cornwallairambulance?sub_confirmation=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/cornwallairamb
• Instagraminstagram.com/cornwallairamb
• TikToktiktok.com/@cornwallairambulance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cornwall-air-ambulance-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cornwall Air Ambulance