Midland Air Ambulance Charity’s new blood delivery car has surpassed the 10,000-mile mark thanks to support from an Oldbury firm. 

Earlier this year, Lord Combustion Services, based in Oldbury, funded a new Toyota Yaris for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

The car, and team of volunteers transport blood and blood products between the Blood Bank at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and the charity’s Strensham airbase on the Worcestershire / Gloucestershire border.

The blood delivery vehicle has already travelled more than 10,000 miles, making more than 125 round trips.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has been carrying blood on-board its three aircraft and fleet of critical care cars since 2017.

Doctors are able to administer blood at the scene of an incident to give patients in critical need the very best chance of survival.

Pam Hodgetts, corporate partnerships manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “The ability to give blood at a scene is essential, and our clinicians could not offer this intervention if there was no suitable vehicle to convey the blood and blood products to our base.

“We are extremely grateful for the incredible support provided by Lord Combustion Services, which will help save lives.”

Oldbury-based Lord Combustion Services is a long-term supporter of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, having last year contributed equivalent to the funds for three air ambulance missions and five missions in the pre-hospital service’s fleet of critical cars through donations made at a dinner held to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary.

Stuart Smith, managing director for Lord Combustion Services, added: “As a business that works across the West Midlands to deliver high-quality heating and hot water services, we are committed to supporting good causes across the region that matter most to our colleagues and customers.

“Thanks to our partnership with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and the voluntary transport team we recognise the importance of their work and are pleased to see the new blood vehicle making a positive impact on patient outcomes.”