Our history

The idea for a joint emergency services helicopter originated when a temporary helicopter hired by Wiltshire Police to use for its summer solstice operation at Stonehenge was used to airlift a woman who was seriously injured in a road traffic collision on the A350 at Beanacre, near Melksham.

The crew onboard heard of the incident on their radios during flight and landed at the scene. They were told it was unlikely the woman would survive the journey to hospital by road, so decided to airlift her to the Royal United Hospital in Bath. The flight took five minutes and she survived.

On 15 March 1990 a full-time joint helicopter began operating, based at the police headquarters in Devizes. The helicopter was a Bolkow 105 and would remain in operation for eight years.

The crew comprised of a pilot (employed by Police Aviation Services), a police officer and a paramedic. The police officers were trained to assist the paramedics with their equipment, while the paramedics were given guidance to support with navigation, communications and videoing of pursuits.

The police paid for two-thirds of the running costs of the helicopter, which was based at the Air Support Unit in Devizes, still at the Police headquarters.  

The charity had to provide a contribution of £134,000 each year, and the funds were raised through a variety of ways, including farmers’ auctions, coffee mornings and large legacies.

In December, a more advanced helicopter – an MD 902 Explorer – was brought online to replace the Bolkow. The MD 902 Explorer had greater endurance, 80 per cent more cabin space and allowed side loading for patients. It was also quieter and safer because it had no tail rotor.

Meanwhile, Dot Whitehead opened a charity shop in Westbury to raise funds for the service. Dot was inspired to set up the shop after a relative was airlifted.

A successful campaign, organised by the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald newspaper, led to the helicopter contract being renewed for a further five-year term.

Another famous face came to visit to celebrate the charity’s 20th anniversary, when actor Sir David Jason met the aircrew in Devizes. The Only Fools and Horses star was a patron of the Air Ambulances Association (which later merged with Air Ambulances UK).

The charity took over the running of the Charity Shop in Westbury following the sad passing of Dot Whitehead in December, aged 81.

With the joint helicopter partnership with Wiltshire Police set to end, the charity began looking at ways to raise additional income.

Members of the Lottery were now being given the chance to play in a Superdraw for an extra £1 per week. A potential jackpot of £25,000 was up for grabs in the Superdraw and it proved extremely popular.

By now, the charity’s contribution had risen to £700,000 per year.

Building on the success of the Westbury Charity Shop, the charity opened a second premises in Devizes.

The Major of Devizes, councillor Jane Burton, and TV star Paul Martin were on hand to cut the ribbon on Maryport Street.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance moved into its purpose-built airbase in Semington, near Trowbridge. It followed a lengthy search for an appropriate site and a successful capital appeal.

It was a major milestone for the charity, with all of its aircrew and charity staff under the same roof for the first time.

Staff moved into the premises in May, but had to move out again briefly a month later after the crew attended the second Novichok poisoning in Amesbury (they had also attended the first poisoning in Salisbury in March). It allowed authorities from Boscombe Down to check for contamination of the helicopter, critical care cars and airbase – there was none.  

The official opening ceremony took place on 14 December 2018, with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall cutting the ribbon in a packed hangar.

It was supposed to be the year that Wiltshire Air Ambulance “celebrated” its 30th anniversary – but then the Coronavirus pandemic hit.

The charity’s airbase was closed to the public and charity staff, who had to work from home. The crew continued working on the frontline throughout the pandemic, donning PPE and sometimes even full hazmat suits.

The Charity Shop in Westbury closed as the charity exercised a break clause in its lease of the premises. It came at a time when retail across the board was on a downturn and allowed the charity to focus all attentions on their Shop in Devizes.

The year 2020 also saw Wiltshire Air Ambulance called to a record number of 1,238 missions.

The charity was presented with The Pride of Wiltshire Award at the Wiltshire Life Awards ceremony in March.

We enter the ‘hall of fame’, alongside previous winners, such as Salisbury Cathedral and The Wiltshire Community Foundation.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance also increased the number of red blood cell units carried on board its helicopter and critical care cars, meaning the charity can provide a level of care comparable with local hospital.

The clinical team add two units of O Positive red blood cells to the existing two units of O Negative red blood cells and four units of Lyoplas.

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity became our new name in November 2024. "We now have a name that truly tells our story," says chief executive David Philpott.

The charity also mourns the passing of Life President Richard Youens. Richard had a long affiliation with the charity. He volunteered as a trustee for eight years, from 2011-2018, latterly proudly holding the role of Chairman.