HELP Appeal, February 26, 2025 - Seriously ill or injured patients from across the region will continue to benefit from University Hospital Southampton’s helipad thanks to a generous donation of £153,000 from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads.
This generous donation has allowed the hospital to upgrade its safety lighting, with new, energy-efficient lights, which are being installed. These improvements not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance the precision with which air ambulance and coastguard pilots can safely land helicopters on site.
The helipad, of which the HELP Appeal contributed £1 million to build in 2011, has seen over 4,000 landings from the helicopter emergency medical services, including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA).
David French, chief executive officer, University Hospital Southampton said “We are extremely grateful to our friends at the HELP Appeal for ensuring that our team within the Emergency Department can continue to deliver high quality emergency care. Their generosity will have a very positive impact for the most seriously ill patients in our region.”
Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal commented “People can become seriously ill or injured at any time, day or night, which is why lighting is crucial at University Hospital Southampton’s helipad. This new installation will ensure air ambulances can continue to land safely, even after dark, just as they have for many years, allowing patients to receive the urgent care they need and ultimately saving many lives.”
The HELP Appeal has funded 55 helipads across the country, which have seen over 29,000 landings. It has over 50 more in the pipeline. The charity has also granted £300,000 towards the relocation of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance airbase and charity headquarters to a site near Southampton Airport.
This generous donation has allowed the hospital to upgrade its safety lighting, with new, energy-efficient lights, which are being installed. These improvements not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance the precision with which air ambulance and coastguard pilots can safely land helicopters on site.
The helipad, of which the HELP Appeal contributed £1 million to build in 2011, has seen over 4,000 landings from the helicopter emergency medical services, including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA).
David French, chief executive officer, University Hospital Southampton said “We are extremely grateful to our friends at the HELP Appeal for ensuring that our team within the Emergency Department can continue to deliver high quality emergency care. Their generosity will have a very positive impact for the most seriously ill patients in our region.”
Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal commented “People can become seriously ill or injured at any time, day or night, which is why lighting is crucial at University Hospital Southampton’s helipad. This new installation will ensure air ambulances can continue to land safely, even after dark, just as they have for many years, allowing patients to receive the urgent care they need and ultimately saving many lives.”
The HELP Appeal has funded 55 helipads across the country, which have seen over 29,000 landings. It has over 50 more in the pipeline. The charity has also granted £300,000 towards the relocation of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance airbase and charity headquarters to a site near Southampton Airport.
Southampton General See also |
HELP Appeal 
Air Medical Ambulance Services HIOWAA
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance UK Air Ambulances 
