Devon Air Ambulance launches appeal after £1.1m deficit

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 11:30 · Archive

Devon Air Ambulance has reported a £1.1m deficit and launched an appeal for public support.

Devon Air Ambulance has reported a £1.1m deficit in its latest annual report. The charity attended more than 2,100 emergencies last year but rising operating costs and reduced legacy income have left it spending more than it receives.

The charity receives no direct government funding for its day-to-day operations. It reported a gap of more than £2m in 2023 before higher legacy income helped it return a surplus in 2024. Despite measures expected to save about £400,000 annually through cost-cutting and a review of its organisational structure, a further deficit has been forecast for next year.

Dave Hawes, director of corporate services, said: 'We are determined to protect front-line patient care, but we cannot do this alone. The cost of delivering our service continues to rise, while income is becoming increasingly challenging and unpredictable.' Tania Martin, head of operations, said there would be no immediate impact on services. The charity has launched a Keep Us Flying campaign to encourage donations and help secure the service's future.

How it is being reported

• Devon Air Ambulance launches urgent appeal after revealing £1.1m deficitA lifesaving charity which responded to thousands of emergencies last year is appealing for public support after revealing a £1.1 million financial deficit, with further losses expected despite plans to cut costs.Exmouth Journal · 12 Oct, 12:30
• Devon Air Ambulance launches appeal to keep life-saving service goingDevon Air Ambulance has announced a £1.1m cash deficit and is calling on people across the county to support its new Keep Us Flying campaignNorth Devon Gazette · 12 Oct, 10:45
• Air Ambulance launches appeal after £1.1m deficitThe charity says it can weather the deficit for now but warns finances must improve.BBC Devon · 12 Oct, 06:30

In this story: Devon Air Ambulance · Devon · Dave Hawes · Tania Martin

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem