How is Devon Air Ambulance funded?
It costs millions to run our lifesaving service, and every penny is funded by our supporters: every time our crew is called to an emergency, we can respond because of people like you.
As an independent charity, we receive no direct government funding for our day-to-day operations. Instead, our lifesaving service is funded by the generosity of our supporters. Donations, gifts in Wills, lottery players, fundraising events, charity shops, corporate partnerships and community fundraising all help keep our crews ready to respond when they are needed most, every day of the year.
What is the cost of our service?
Providing a world-class air ambulance service is complex and costly.
For every mission we invest in highly skilled crews, specialist training, aircraft maintenance, aviation fuel, lifesaving medicines, critical care equipment, vehicles, technology and operational support. These costs continue to rise, while the demand for our service remains high.
Like many charities, we are facing increasing financial pressures. Maintaining aircraft, replacing specialist equipment and meeting strict aviation and clinical standards requires significant ongoing investment. Essential upgrades and maintenance alone can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, while the cost of delivering critical care continues to increase year after year.
| Average cost per mission | Each flight costs £4,500; each Critical Care Car mission costs £3,000 |
| General operating costs | £8,196764 |
| Helicopter-related costs | £2,126,038 |
| Car-related costs | £78,130 |
| Figures accurate for 2025 | Read more in our Annual Report |
The cost of our kit