The College, part of the University of Cambridge, was lit up in the recognisable yellow of the EAAA helicopters from 7:30pm until 11pm last night to mark this important week in the charity’s calendar, which is also national Remember a Charity Week.

Air Ambulance Week aims to raise awareness and celebrate the work of air ambulance charities across the UK while Remember a Charity Week encourages everyone to make or update their Will and take the opportunity to support a charity in this special way. Almost one in five of EAAA’s life-saving missions are funded by a gift left to the charity in a supporter’s Will and EAAA offers a free face-to-face or online will writing service.

Philip Isaac, Domus Bursar of King’s College, said: “We are very pleased to have been able to help the East Anglian Air Ambulance launch this awareness week by lighting up the College in the signature yellow of their helicopter, in recognition of the life-saving service they provide here in Cambridge.”

So far this year EAAA has been tasked 1,691 times across the region, taking advanced critical care skills and hospital-level equipment to the scene of life-threatening or life-changing accidents and emergencies. EAAA, alongside all air ambulances, is not government funded and relies on the generous donations from the local community to keep its helicopters flying and saving lives, 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. Throughout the week EAAA will be hosting a number of bucket collections across the region to raise funds and awareness for the charity, including several in the centre of Cambridge supported by the Lion Yard shopping centre.

Stuart Wyle, Director of Engagement and Income of EAAA, said: “The summer has been a really busy time for our teams and we’re immensely proud that we have continued to offer our frontline service throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and realised our long-term ambition of flying 24/7, which we stated to do just two months ago. None of our work would be possible without the support from the communities that we’re here to help, whether that’s a donation at one of our street collections this week or taking the time to remember the charity in your Will, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s support keeps our teams flying and saving lives, now 24 hours a day.”

Following Air Ambulance Week, on Sunday 19 September hundreds of teams will be running through King’s College in support of the charity in Cambridge’s annual Chariots of Fire relay race, organised by HCR Hewitsons Charitable Trust. Team entries for this event close soon on Wednesday 15 September. To enter a team, go to: www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk .