THIS week marks 13 years of service for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA).

Since 2007, the charity has delivered life-saving treatment to critically ill and severely injured patients across the region.

During that time, the air ambulance has been tasked to over 9,400 missions across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Mission numbers doubled when the charity introduced its first emergency response vehicle in 2017, with the fleet further bolstered by two additional vehicles last year.

These vehicles carry the same equipment as the air ambulance, such as blood and plasma transfusion kits, defibrillators and monitors to record ECG’s, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide levels.

In keeping with its commitment to remain on the cutting edge of pre-hospital emergency care, the use of innovative technology and a successful collaboration with the Maritime Coastguard Agency and Royal Air Force, HIOWAA has been able to remain operational throughout the current pandemic.

In addition, the charity’s specialist critical care paramedics have been utilising their skills in the emergency department at University Hospital Southampton, to assist in the frontline battle against coronavirus.

HIOWAA chief executive, Alex Lochrane, said: "The air ambulance belongs to, and is funded by, our local community and we have never needed their support as much as we do now.

"Without the support, dedication and passion they have shown these past 13 years, we would have been unable to develop our service to be there for those who need us.

"From operational milestones to seeing the smiling faces of our wonderful volunteers, I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved. To every single person who has continued supporting us through these difficult times, thank you."