22nd July 2010

The team at WNAA has issued a warning after several complaints over misleading literature issued to local areas by an organisation calling themselves the ‘Air Ambulance Service’ appealing for donations.

This statement is just to confirm, ‘Air Ambulance Service’ is  nothing to do with the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) and any donations made to this company will not go towards your local air ambulance service. This company is known amongst all the air ambulance charities in the UK and is widely treated with disdain as they appear to deliberately mislead people into thinking they are supporting the air ambulance in this and many other areas. I reiterate they are definitely not. It is a private company shrouded in mystery and has no connection to WNAA or any of the legitimate UK Air Ambulance charities. Indeed trading standards are aware of the issue and currently looking into this company.
 
The leaflet is very misleading and could easily fool people into thinking they are supporting our vital life saving service. As a registered charity we rely on voluntary income to keep us flying and saving lives and it is upsetting that this company seems to be confusing people over who they are supporting. I would therefore urge supporters to look for our registered charity number (1098874) when making a donation, or if you are unsure please do call a member of the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance team on 08454 130999.
 
I would like to ask people to ensure they carry on donating clothing through our branded collection bags and make sure that they support Warwickshire & Northampton Air Ambulance. Each year we need to raise over £1.5million to continue  flying life saving missions and this money is raised through vital donations and fundraising schemes such as our clothing collection bags.

Above. Official WNAA clothing collection bag,
Below. Scam bag.