Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) is the country’s only charity-funded air ambulance service, providing rapid access to critical care for people across Scotland. Operating two air ambulance helicopters from its bases at Perth Airport and Aberdeen Airport – as well as a Rapid Response Vehicle at each base – the charity works in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service to respond to time-critical emergencies across Scotland, ensuring patients can receive specialist treatment as quickly as possible.
Since launching in 2013, SCAA has become an integral part of Scotland’s emergency response network. Its helicopters and highly skilled crew are capable of reaching even the most remote communities, helping to overcome the unique geographical challenges that can delay access to urgent medical care.
The charity responds to a wide range of incidents, including serious road traffic collisions, cardiac arrests, medical emergencies, trauma incidents and emergencies in remote and rural locations. Working alongside frontline NHS services, SCAA helps ensure that critically ill and injured patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Since its first mission in 2013, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance has attended more than 7,500 missions across the country, supporting communities from the Highlands and Islands to the Borders. Every mission is focused on improving patient outcomes and providing rapid access to specialist care when it is needed most.
Unlike NHS emergency services, SCAA receives no regular government funding for its day-to-day operations and relies entirely on the generosity of supporters, fundraisers, volunteers, lottery players and donors. The charity needs to raise £10 million every year to keep its life-saving service operating, ensuring its helicopters, crew and support teams remain ready to respond whenever an emergency occurs.
Tower Lotteries has proudly supported Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance since the launch of its lottery. Through the continued support of lottery players across Scotland, vital funds are generated to help sustain this unique and essential service, ensuring life-saving care remains available to communities throughout the country.
