The cost of delivering our service continues to rise, while income is becoming increasingly challenging and unpredictable.
We are calling on communities across Devon to help secure the future of the charity’s lifesaving service after reporting a £1.1 million deficit in our latest Annual Report.
Devon Air Ambulance is a charity, which receives no direct Government funding for our day-to-day operations. We responded to more than 2,100 emergencies last year and continue to provide critical care to patients across Devon and beyond. However, rising operating costs coupled with reduced legacy income have resulted in expenditure exceeding income.
Our latest Annual Report acknowledges that we are currently spending more than we receive and we forecast a further deficit in 2026, prompting a series of measures designed to improve long-term financial sustainability.
These include increased efficiency improvements, cost-saving initiatives and a review of our organisational structure. Whilst these latest measures are set to achieve an annual saving of around £400,000, this will still not be enough to cover the predicted shortfall.
It’s the second time in recent years we have recorded a budget deficit – previously in 2023 there existed a gap of just over £2m, but due to high levels of legacy income a surplus was generated in 2024 before returning to a deficit in 2025.
Dave Hawes, DAA Director of Corporate Services & Accountable manager, said:
“Our latest Annual Report tells two stories. The first is one of extraordinary impact. Last year our crews attended more than 2,100 emergencies, providing critical care to people at the worst moments of their lives.
“The second is a financial reality facing not just Devon Air Ambulance, but many charities across the country.
The cost of delivering our service continues to rise, while income is becoming increasingly challenging and unpredictable.
Dave Hawes, Director of Corporate Services & Accountable Manager
“We are taking action. We are carefully reviewing our costs, improving efficiency and strengthening our fundraising activity. But the simple truth is that Devon Air Ambulance exists because local people choose to support it.
“Every mission we fly is funded by our supporters. There is no us without you.”
We remain focused on delivering our existing frontline service, with funds in place that allow time to implement our recovery plans. However, continued public support will be essential to protect the service for future generations.
We are launching our Keep Us Flying campaign, which will shine a light on the increasing cost of providing critical care across one of the UK’s largest and most challenging operating regions.
The campaign will ask supporters to help safeguard a service that reaches hundreds of people every month and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Dave Hawes added: “We are determined to protect frontline patient care. We have a clear plan and we are taking responsible action. But we cannot do this alone.
The people of Devon have built this service over more than three decades. With their support, we can ensure it remains there for the people who will need us tomorrow, next month and for many years to come.
Dave Hawes, Director of Corporate Services & Accountable Manager
A message to our supporters
Whether you’ve donated regularly, played our lottery, volunteered, fundraised, planned to leave a gift in your Will, or have simply helped spread the word about what we do, thank you for making our service what it is today.
Our latest Annual Report reflects something many of our supporters will already know. The need for our service remains as strong as ever. Last year our crews responded to more than 2,100 incidents across Devon and beyond, bringing advanced critical care to people when they needed it most. It may have even been someone you know, and that’s why you’ve chosen to support us.
But the report also highlights a challenge we’re facing.
Like many charities, we’re seeing the cost of delivering our service rise significantly. Everything from fuel and aircraft maintenance to clinical equipment, technology and day-to-day running costs is becoming more expensive. At the same time, some of the income we rely on, particularly gifts left in Wills, has become less predictable.
As a result, we spent more than we received last year, recording a deficit of £1.1 million.
We’re taking this seriously. Over the past year we’ve reviewed how we work, identified savings and made changes that will reduce costs by around £400,000 each year. These are important steps and part of a wider plan to strengthen the charity’s long-term future.
Even with those savings, however, there is still a gap between what it costs to run the service and the income we receive.
That’s why we’re launching Keep Us Flying.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about the realities of running a helicopter emergency medical service across a large and largely rural county like Devon, the growing pressures charities are facing, and the work we’re doing to secure the future of the service.
This isn’t about creating alarm. We’re continuing to respond to emergencies every day, and we have a clear plan for the future. But we are being open and honest with the people who make this service possible.
The challenges may look different today than they did a decade ago, but our future still depends on the same thing it always has: communities coming together to ensure this service is there for the people who need it.
Thank you for everything you’ve done already, and for helping to Keep Us Flying for the years ahead.
Donate to keep us flying
