New name for air ambulance
The County Air Ambulance has announced it is changing its name to reflect its coverage of a smaller region than when it first began.
From March 2 the charity, which has a base at RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton, will be known as the Midlands Air Ambulance as the service no longer covers 11 counties in England and Wales as it once did.
The new name, which is actually its registered title, will be unveiled at a special ceremony at RAF Cosford. The charity has always been registered with the Charity Commission as Midlands Air Ambulance and opted for county as a working title.
Director Paul Leaman said: "The decision to change the name of this popular charity was difficult but ultimately the right decision to make. Changing the name will reassure the public that monies raised for Midlands Air Ambulance, through fundraising or donations collected in our red collecting tins, will go directly to funding and operating our three local air ambulances."
In the past, there has been confusion between the charity and a similarly-named organisation called The County Air Ambulance Trust, said Mr Leaman. The trust primarily fundraises for new helipads extra funds for UK air ambulance operators.
