This morning (29 September), Magpas Air Ambulance welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to the charity’s headquarters in Alconbury Weald, Cambridgeshire, for a special event celebrating lifesaving partnerships.
Following the charity’s busiest year ever, the visit brought together clinicians, supporters and emergency services partners, whose combined efforts enable Magpas Air Ambulance to respond when communities face their most critical moments—including those involved in the responses to the Bedford train collision and the incident at Huntingdon station within the past year.
Due to the proximity of Magpas Air Ambulance’s base, opened in 2023 by Her Royal Highness, team members from the charity were the first medical resource on scene at the major incident in Huntingdon, and the first air ambulance service to land at the Bedford train collision.
HRH The Princess Royal has been a royal patron of Magpas Air Ambulance since 2020 and confirmed the extension of her patronage earlier this year. Her Royal Highness has commended the service and its dedicated medical team in the past, highlighting their commitment to providing the highest standards of care to patients and being a lifeline for communities across the region.
Today, HRH The Princess Royal met key charity supporters and Magpas Air Ambulance clinicians. The charity also hosted emergency services colleagues including police, fire, ambulance, and neighbouring air ambulance services who responded alongside the Magpas Air Ambulance teams at both the Huntingdon and Bedford major incidents. The visit concluded with Her Royal Highness receiving real time demonstrations from the Magpas Air Ambulance clinical team—showing the advanced treatments they provide on scene, as well as hearing more about the charity’s aim to train communities in bystander CPR.
Daryl Brown MBE DL, Magpas Air Ambulance CEO, shared: “It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness back to the Magpas Air Ambulance base, having last visited to officially open the building, which has helped our advanced medical teams respond to more patients than ever before in recent years.
“This celebration of lifesaving partnerships today highlighted the vital importance of partnership working, and acknowledged the professionalism, dedication and compassion demonstrated by all those involved in the responses to the Huntingdon and Bedford major incidents.
“We are always proud of our medical team members, who are there for our communities, families and loved ones, should the worst happen. But also of the supporters who are vital to enabling the medical team to respond when every second counts. We’re truly grateful for HRH The Princess Royal’s recognition of everyone who helps to save lives and for her wonderful support of Magpas Air Ambulance.”
