East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has achieved a major milestone in its mission to safeguard lifesaving emergency services in Cambridgeshire. South Cambridgeshire District Council has approved the charity’s planning application to build a new purpose-built air ambulance base at New Shardelowes Farm on Balsham Road, Fulbourn.
“This is just the start of our journey to a new home,” said Richard Hindson, EAAA Director of Operations and Infrastructure. “Creating a new Cambridgeshire air base, from scratch, is our biggest ever project and we need to raise a significant sum of money to make this happen.”
Why a New Base Is Needed
For nearly two decades, EAAA has operated from Cambridge Airport, working closely with airport owners Marshall to respond to critical emergencies quickly.
However, with the planned closure of the airport, the charity urgently required a new location to continue delivering life-saving care.
“Our bases aren’t ordinary buildings. They are vital lifelines for countless families, friends, and colleagues – anyone whose life would be devastated by the sudden tragic loss of a parent, a child, a spouse, a caregiver, or a friend,” Hindson explained.
“The new base will safeguard the continuity of our lifesaving air ambulance service and deliver vital improvements in crew welfare, training facilities and public engagement.”
The Fulbourn site was selected after an extensive review of dozens of locations across Cambridgeshire. Factors included rapid response times, aviation compatibility, and the ability to meet strict clinical and safety standards.
The 10.35-acre site is strategically located near major roads, ensuring crews can reach patients quickly by air or road.
A Base Designed for Lifesaving Efficiency
Plans for the new base include helipads, a hangar, garages for critical care cars, crew facilities, a medical store, training and educational areas, overnight accommodation, and office space for ground staff.
The site is compatible with EAAA’s Airbus H145 D3 helicopter, allowing for safe take-offs and landings in all conditions.
“Response times are comparable to our current Cambridge base, allowing us to reach a population of over 1.2 million within ten minutes by air and hundreds of thousands more by road,” said Hindson.
The Charity’s Critical Work
East Anglian Air Ambulance provides round-the-clock emergency care across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
Its specialist doctors and paramedics bring hospital-level treatment directly to patients on the scene, performing interventions from blood transfusions and anaesthesia to emergency surgery.
“We are more than a yellow helicopter,” Hindson said. “We take the emergency department directly to the patient 24 hours a day. Patients can be transferred rapidly to the most appropriate hospital for their needs.”
The charity treated over 900 people in 2025 alone, a testament to its essential role in the region’s emergency response network.
Fundraising for the Future
With planning permission secured, EAAA is now launching a fundraising appeal to cover the costs of land purchase and construction.
“We will be reaching out to our supporters in the coming weeks to help us raise the money needed to build our new home and ensure we can meet the region’s future critical care needs for generations to come,” Hindson said.
As a registered charity (No. 1083876), EAAA relies entirely on donations and receives no regular government funding. Supporters can contribute to ensure the charity continues delivering rapid, lifesaving care when every second counts.
Looking Ahead
The new Fulbourn base represents a crucial step in futureproofing emergency medical services for East Anglia. Beyond improving operational efficiency, it will enhance crew welfare, training capabilities, and community engagement.
“Our mission remains simple: to be there for anyone who needs us, wherever they are in our region, at any time,” Hindson said. “This new base ensures we can continue providing that vital service well into the future.”
Here’s the link so that you can support the East Anglian air ambulance charity
