The £6 million campaign for a second emergency helicopter for the capital today passed the half-way stage when London Freemasons pledged £2 million.
The organisation, which has 40,000 members in 1,350 lodges in the capital, handed over a £250,000 cheque to London’s Air Ambulance and has vowed to raise the remainder.
A second helicopter is due to take to the skies this summer, offering extended flying hours and enabling medics to reach 400 extra patients a year.
London’s Air Ambulance responds to major trauma emergencies such as stabbings, shootings, road collisions and falls from height. Chancellor George Osborne has given £1 million and business and public donations have raised about £650,000.
Tony Shields, London Freemasons Metropolitan Grand Charity Steward, said: “We are proud to be raising funds to help this superb charity acquire and sustain a vital second helicopter.”
London’s Air Ambulance chief executive Graham Hodgkin said: “We are blown away by the generosity of the London Freemasons.”
To donate £5 to the Your London, Your Helicopter campaign, text HELICOPTER to 70800.
