Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) is launching its biggest ever fundraising appeal to raise £3.6m for its new airbase and charity headquarters. 

HIOWAA, which is currently based at Thruxton, was given planning permission in July for a new base, complete with helipad, near Southampton Airport. 

The scheme will see the air ambulance move from its current base in Thruxton into an industrial unit on George Curl Way.

The charity has been based at Thruxton Airfield since 2007, but with most calls coming from the south of the region it has sought a ‘more central location’. 

READ MORE: Plans for air ambulance HQ near Southampton Airport approved

Dr Simon Hughes, HIOWAA clinical lead (Image: Tim Wallace) The charity has already raised the £9m needed to acquire the building but needs a further £3.6m to convert and equip the site into a purpose-built hangar and office, including the additions of a helipad and hangar doors, and has now launched a new appeal, Operation Airbase - Save Time, Save Lives.

Dr Simon Hughes, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance clinical lead, said:  “This move will be the single biggest leap forward in our 17-year history. It has long been a dream of our team to operate from a location that is truly central within our community. From day one in our new home, response times will be faster, patient outcomes will be better – and lives will be saved that would otherwise have been lost.”  

The move will mean the highly experienced doctors and paramedics can reach almost every patient in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight within 10 minutes of take-off – in contrast to the current time of 20 minutes or more for some. 

Of the call-outs the charity receives 70 per cent are to the south of the region: Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight – a considerable distance from the current airbase which sits on the north-western edge of Hampshire.  

SEE MORE: Patients in Basingstoke and Andover will not be affected if air ambulance moves base

Reduced excess flying and driving time to and from Thruxton will drastically improve response times and minimise flying and travel time – allowing the teams to be restocked, refuelled and ready to respond to more emergencies than ever before.  

The relocation of both the operational and administrative arms of the service will bring the two teams under on one roof – cutting down the costs of leasing two separate buildings.  

Richard Corbett, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance CEO, said:  “When seriously ill and injured patients need urgent critical care, our doctors, dispatchers, pilots and paramedics are ready to provide life-saving treatment. They can only do so thanks to the kindness and generosity we are shown every single day by our remarkable supporters. This ambitious move is only possible because we know we have their unwavering backing.” 

The charity is seeking businesses, clubs and groups wanting to partner and help save lives in the region.  

People looking for more information or wanting to donate can do so via hiowaa.org/appeal.