HAMPSHIRE and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has reached another amazing milestone - flying its 8,000th mission.

The crew who responded to last Wednesday’s mission were Dr Liz Shewry, specialist critical care paramedics Mike Funge and Oliver Saddler, and pilot Marcus Doyle.

Since the first flight 11 years ago, the charity’s critical care teams have responded to seriously ill or injured patients across the two counties, backed by the charity team who are constantly fundraising to keep the air ambulance flying and saving lives.

As well as having the air ambulance, the charity provides a critical care team vehicle. The Volvo XC90 is staffed by specialist critical care paramedics and doctors who carry the same equipment as the air ambulance. Both deliver the same level of care expected from a hospital emergency department.

The car can reach patients where the air ambulance may not be able to land, such as in city centres.

Proud that the service has been able to deliver lifesaving services to so many people, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance chief executive Alex Lochrane said: “Eight thousand call-outs means we have been able to reach 8,000 people in their hour of need. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of the local community.

“We are not government funded. Our charity is run entirely on donations from the community, for the community.

“I am truly grateful to anyone who puts some pennies in one of our collection pots, plays our charity lottery, donates monthly or takes on one of our fundraising challenges. Any donation, big or small, makes such a difference.”

The milestone comes as the air ambulance experienced its busiest month of the year so far, with 164 call-outs in July.

For more details, visit hiowaa.org.