Magpas medical charity to get own helicopter

Magpas staff will have a dedicated helicopter from the end of the month

An emergency medical charity serving the east of England is to get its own helicopter at the end of the month.

For 15 years, Magpas had paid to use a police helicopter to fly its "Helimedix" teams to the scenes of accidents.

However, government cuts mean the craft is no longer available and the charity has had to fund its own helicopter.

It will be based at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire and staffed by medical personnel trained in critical care.

The police helicopter previously used by Magpas is one of a number being taken out of service to form part of the National Police Air Service, which begins operating in October.

Magpas chief executive officer, Daryl Brown, said public and corporate donations, as well as the charity's own lottery, had helped to fund the new craft, which he described as essential.

"Magpas remains the only enhanced charity medical team available both night and day in the region, caring for those whose lives are in danger following a severe medical emergency," he said.

"It's thanks to the incredible generosity of the public that we can carry on saving lives."