'Challenging' fuel hike for Cornwall Air Ambulance

The air ambulance service for Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly has to find an extra £120,000 this year after the cost of aviation fuel doubled, its CEO said.

Cornwall Air Ambulance boss Tim Bunting said: "These are very, very challenging times, not least with the price of fuel."

It was the UK's first air ambulance service launching in 1987 and took delivery of its second helicopter in 2025 after raising £2.85m over two years.

Bunting said the service received no government funding and added: "We've got to keep the helicopter flying, we want to be out there saving lives, so with the cost we've got to dig deep into our piggy bank and go out to our brilliant supporters."

It comes as Devon Air Ambulance launched an appeal after facing a £1.1m deficit.

Bunting said the costs have "gone up significantly" and added "we'll never compromise on the quality of our operation".

He said the priority was delivering life-saving services throughout the year.

"We fully intend to deliver the best services that we possibly can," Bunting added.

He said donations raised in the Christmas appeal would be match funded up to £100,000 by an anonymous donor, "which will be massive in terms of those rising fuel costs".

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