London’s Air Ambulance. Image: http://londonsairambulance.co.uk/our-service/news/media-centre

London’s Freemasons have made a huge donation of £2 million to the appeal for a second air ambulance for London.

The campaign ‘Your London, Your Helicopter’ needs to raise £4.4 million to acquire and sustain a second helicopter and extend daylight flying hours for five years.

The £2 million donation which will come from some 1,350 lodges in London.

The appeal now has another £2.35 million left to raise.

£50,000 has already been raised from the public.

London’s Air Ambulance CEO, Graham Hodgkin, said: ‘We are blown away by the generosity of the London Freemasons.’

He added:

I am confident, that with over 10 million people who are passionate about London being the greatest city, we can cross the finish line.  I urge everyone in London to help us and to make a donation today.

Tony Shields, London Freemasons Metropolitan Grand Charity Steward, said:

London’s Air Ambulance delivers an incredible service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and we are proud to be raising funds to help this superb charity acquire and sustain a vital second helicopter.

London’s Air Ambulance delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London 24/7, using a helicopter by day and rapid response cars at night or in adverse weather conditions.

In 2014 the London’s Air Ambulance helicopter was offline for maintenance for 55 days in total.