HELP Appeal launches a new fundraising pack to help raise money for a helipad at the Aintree University Hospital
From an Auction of Promises to a ‘Zzzz’ competition with Hill walking and Golf days in between, the HELP Appeal’s new fundraising pack contains the A to Z of advice and ideas on how to raise money in a fun way, that will capture people’s imagination. The HELP Appeal is the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads.

With construction on Aintree University Hospital helipad due to be completed this year, there is still plenty of time to make a real difference by downloading a pack now at www.helpappeal.org.uk or by calling freephone 0800 389 8999 to raise money for a local cause that help will save lives.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal:

‘Fundraising is brilliant way to have some fun whilst raising funds for our helipad campaign. But helipads are expensive and with a grant of £500,000 to reach in Liverpool, every cake sale, cracker eating competition or darts match counts.
‘As we don’t receive a single penny in Government or National Lottery funding, charitable donations are one of the best ways we can ensure helipads will be built or upgraded.

‘Our new fundraising pack is full of ideas that will inspire you to put together your own special money-raising event, which will help save more lives and ensure you have some fun along the way.’

Hannah Pollard has already used the new fundraising pack to raise awareness of her trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru starting on 22 April. She said:

‘The pack has proved invaluable. It’s never short of suggestions on how to publicise the trek I’m about to do. The training has been challenging but I’m so looking forward to the feeling I’ll get when I reach the top knowing that I’ve helped to raise money for hospital helipads all over the UK.

You can also get a fundraising pack by emailing info@helpappeal.co.uk.

About the HELP Appeal
· The HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal was established by the County Air Ambulance Trust to help raise funds for much needed hospital helipad facilities across the country. Only a small number of hospitals have onsite helicopter landing pads and this means that transfer times are increased. Most air ambulance patients have to be transferred by road for part of their journey which takes time and can often mean a life threatening transfer is needed from the helicopter to the road ambulance.


· The HELP Appeal operates the HELP Appeal grant scheme which offers non-repayable grants to hospitals to help fund new helipads or upgrade existing helipads.


· The Appeal has already funded helipads at Oswestry Spinal Injuries Hospital, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Southampton General Hospital, Bristol Royal Infirmary and St. George’s Hospital in London, and is currently talking to over twenty hospitals from Brighton to Edinburgh about their helipad needs and how the Appeal might be able to help with this life-saving equipment. In 2015, new helipads opened at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, followed by Derriford Hospital in Plymouth in June.


· Donations can be made by calling the donation helpline on 0800 389 8999, visiting the website www.helpappeal.com or donating by text, just type HPAD22 plus the amount into the message box and send it to 70070. Donation will be charged to your mobile bill.