In June, Magpas Air Ambulance launched a two-year appeal to raise £1.5 million to bring a new state of the art helicopter to the region.

The charity brings crucial lifesaving care by land and air to patients in life threatening emergencies in the East of England.

The new aircraft will be able to fly further, faster and allow the lifesaving service to reach an even greater number of patients in life-threatening medical emergencies.

Since then, the charity has worked hard to be able to purchase the new aircraft through an appeal to the public.

The charity is continuing to fundraise for the ongoing operational costs of the new aircraft but the support to date has helped the charity move to the exciting next phase of the project.

The production of Magpas’ new AugustaWestland 169 (AW169) began in the factory warehouse of Leonardo on the outskirts of Milan as just a shell, with different parts of the helicopter being manufactured and shipped from countries all over the world.

The initial assembly process took several weeks, culminating in transforming it from a plain white exterior to the recognisable orange, white and green of the Magpas Air Ambulance brand

This December, the new Magpas Air Ambulance will fly to Gloucester Airport, where its bespoke medical interior will be fitted.

This is when the new aircraft becomes more than just a helicopter and transforms into a state of the art air ambulance.

The charity’s Medical Director, Dr Simon Lewis, said: “This new aircraft will provide Magpas Air Ambulance with the most technologically advanced features and medical equipment, better enabling the Magpas medical team to respond to our patients in their moment of need.”

Support the Further, Faster, Greater Appeal for a new Magpas Air Ambulance at magpas.org.uk/heli-appeal, or text HELI19 £5 or £10 to 70070.