What we do

What we do

What we do

Lucy Air Ambulance for Children is a national charity that flies babies and critically ill children to hospital by aeroplane to receive specialist treatment and care.

Often the only way babies and critically ill children can access specialist care is to travel between hospitals by aeroplane and we are the only air ambulance charity in the UK that provides this unique service. These transfers provide life-changing outcomes for the children Lucy AAC fly, including: children being discharged from long hospital stays, overcoming diseases like cancer, and receiving a diagnosis which finally enables families to gain new support from other organisations that are disease/disability specific.

The NHS does not have any budget for air ambulance transfers and relies on Lucy AAC to provide this essential service at no cost.

“Words cannot describe how grateful we are for the amazing people who helped make it possible for us to bring our baby boy back home to Leeds. Thank you so much!”
Amy, Charlie's Mum
Transferred to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit closer to home

Our unique service

We believe that safe, long-distance air transfers within the UK should be available for any child needing one, regardless of distance or cost. As part of the air ambulance network, we are the only charity in the UK that offers transfers by aeroplane which means that:

  • We can cover the whole of the UK to transfer children over long-distances and across regions.
  • We can fly in a wider range of weather conditions meaning that our flights are less likely to be postponed. 
  • Our pressurized cabins can support children with breathing difficulties.
  • We can fly at sea level to ensure less pressure on a child’s brain.
  • Our aircraft can provide an infection-free environment for children post-surgery.
  • Aeroplanes are also less subject to noise and vibration and therefore over longer distances are often a safer and more comfortable environment for children, especially premature babies.
  • There is always space for parents to accompany their child which we know is so important during such a difficult time for families

We are also the only UK charity who has our own intensive care flight-ready incubator which enables babies to be moved long distances to neonatal intensive care units – no other charity offers this service.

On average each transfer costs Lucy Air Ambulance for Children £9,300. This includes:

Private road transfers

Arranged at both ends of the journey.

State of the art aircraft

Each aeroplane has enough space for a parent to travel with their child.

Highly skilled flight teams

Each flight is staffed by either a Consultant Neonatologist or Paediatrician, a specialist flight nurse and a paramedic.

Access to key medical equipment

including our bespoke flight-ready incubator.

Logistics

including confirming cot or bed availability at the receiving hospital.

Support and reassurance for parents and families

Access to the Lucy AAC Team during the transfer.

Supporting the NHS

We work in partnership with air ambulance providers and NHS transport teams throughout the UK by providing the funding to make these flights happen. The NHS does not have any budget for air transfers and relies on Lucy AAC to provide this essential service at no cost. Without our service, many children would not have access to the essential specialist treatment and care they need – which in many cases is life-saving.

We are continuing to see an increase in the number of referrals we receive from the NHS as awareness of our Charity grows, and the important role that fixed-wing air ambulance transfers play in the care of children. In addition, the independent service that we provide is now recognised by the NHS as a key part of their infrastructure.

"Lucy Air Ambulance provides funding and support that enables some of the tiniest and most vulnerable patients to be transferred to another hospital when a road ambulance would take too long or be too stressful for them. This may be for specialist or emergency treatment, or more often for continuation of their care at a unit closer to home. Reuniting a family at their local hospital means that parents have their support network around them, can go to work, and siblings can attend school. Sometimes these flights are lifesaving, but they are always life-changing for the patient and their family. I cannot thank Lucy AAC enough for their passion and dedication to these unique patients and their families."
Dr Lee Collier
Neonatal Flight Doctor

We are only able to fly 2 out of every 4 children that need our service due to current funding. Your support can help us reach every child that needs us.

Donate now