A £2,500 grant from the Stansted Airport Community Fund (SACF) has helped Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) buy vital new blood analysis equipment, now being used on its helicopters and rapid response vehicles. 
 
The money, awarded in September last year, funded i-STAT Portable Blood Analysers, which allows the charity’s critical care teams to carry out rapid blood tests at the scene of emergencies. 
 

Laurie Phillipson, Centre for Excellence Clinical Academic Fellow (EHAAT), said: 

 "We are extremely grateful to the Stansted Airport Community Fund for generously awarding a grant of £2,500 towards the purchase of i-STAT Portable Blood Analysers.  
 
“The Fund’s support has helped ensure that an analyser is available on every aircraft and Rapid Response Vehicle, on every mission and for every patient, ultimately enabling our critical care teams to continue their life-saving work.  
 
“EHAAT is only able to introduce innovative equipment like this because of the support and contributions it receives from many individuals and organisations, including the Stansted Airport Community Fund. On behalf of all the team, I would like to extend our very sincere thanks for this generous support." 
 
Since it was relaunched in 2023, the SACF has awarded more than £500,000 to local charities and groups within a 10-mile radius of the airport. The Fund supports projects that improve community life, education, health and wellbeing, and the environment. 
 

Dan Turpin, London Stansted’s Community Engagement Manager, added: 

"We’re delighted to see how our grant has made a real difference to such an important local service. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance provides vital care to people across the region, and it’s a privilege for the Community Fund to help them continue their life-saving work." 
 
The Fund, which meets four times a year, is run by a panel made up of community representatives, local councillors, and airport staff. The next round of Community Fund applications opened on 1 October. Find out more and apply here.