Torbay MP joins call to support Devon’s lifesaving air ambulance

Torbay MP Steve Darling has joined six fellow Devon MPs in backing the county’s iconic air ambulance, which is seeking to fill a funding gap to pay for a vital new headquarters.

Mr Darling, the Liberal Democrat member for Torbay, signed a letter led by David Reed MP, the member for Exmouth and Exeter East, asking chancellor John Healy for potential funding assistance towards the charity’s much-needed new home.

Mr Healy will be delivering the Budget next week (Wednesday 28 October) where he will be outlining a range of tax and spending decisions.

Mr Reed, a former Royal Marine and Team GB Wingsuit Skydiving Squad member, said he had recently met the Devon Air Ambulance Trust at its existing location and contrasted the “lifesaving work” it did against the “limitations of the facilities they are currently working from”.

“Demand for the service is growing and the incidents its crews attend are becoming increasingly complex,” the letter said.

“However, the existing building is now holding the service back.

“It has restricted operational space, inadequate storage, no formal clinical training facilities and only basic areas for crew welfare.

“There is also no suitable space to support patients and their families following a serious incident.”

Mr Reed added the charity’s proposal for a new combined headquarters and airbase at Exeter Airport would address the problems.

The project is set to cost £10 million, with DAAT having secured £1.1 million and allocated an additional £4 million – leaving £4.9 million still to raise.

“This is essential emergency infrastructure for Devon,” Mr Reed said.

“A government capital contribution would help deliver a facility that is fit for the future and ensure Devon Air Ambulance can continue responding quickly when every minute matters.”

He asked the Treasury to work with the charity and provide funding towards the remaining cost of the project.

“This is not a party-political issue,” Mr Reed added.

“Devon Air Ambulance is there for all of our constituents when they need it most, and we hope the government will work with us to help secure its future.”

Mr Darling was joined in signing the letter by Conservative MPs Mr Reed and Rebecca Smith (South West Devon), and by his Liberal Democrat colleagues Rachel Gilmour (Tiverton and Minehead), Caroline Voaden (South Hams), Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) and Ian Roome (North Devon).