Simon Le Bon has become the latest high profile name to endorse the work of THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE (TAAS) by becoming one of its celebrity music ambassadors.
Le Bon joins Hollywood actor Rob Lowe, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, Formula 1 legend Damon Hill and England Rugby International Mike Tindall as celebrity supporters of the service. Le Bon will support The Air Ambulance Service with its national PR campaign, fund raising and awareness.
First established in 2003 as a charitable organisation, TAAS now provides a vital helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) across five counties in the heart of England operating out of Coventry and East Midlands Airports.
TAAS operates two fast response, state-of-the-art Agusta civilian helicopters that can be airborne in less than 45 seconds. With a top speed of 200 mph, a team of paramedics and a doctor can be on scene in a matter of minutes. Known as the “Platinum 15 Minutes” this rapid response emergency service can often mean the critical difference in saving lives and preserving life changing injuries.
TAAS is a charity that Simon Le Bon was particularly keen to support and become involved with, having been rescued himself from near certain death several years ago. Le Bon was part of a team competing in the Fastnet Yacht Race until their yacht DRUM capsized after its keel was sheered off. Le Bon, along with the other crew members, was trapped underwater and inside the hull of the yacht for forty minutes before they were all finally winched to safety by The Royal Navy Search and Rescue.
Says Simon, “It's vitally important for us to have an Air Ambulance Service in Great Britain. I am speaking as someone who is only here today because of the life saving efforts of a Royal Navy helicopter rescue team.
The Air Ambulance Service is designed to come to the aid of those in need of emergency medical attention, in places where a regular ambulance and its attendant para-medics would not be able to arrive in time to administer the rapid response care that so often saves lives.
This service only exists because of the generosity of the charitable donations made by the general public. It is my intention to do all I can to raise the profile of TAAS and to help maintain the crucial flow of funds. I would urge people to visit the Air Ambulance Service website and look at the incredible work these people do and to make a donation at www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk and www.thechildrensairambulance.org.uk or by calling 08454 130999.”
Last year The Air Ambulance Service reached its 10,000th mission landmark and is called out to attend an average of 150 missions each month. It is the busiest Air Ambulance Service in the country and serves a total population larger than the whole population of New Zealand (4.4million)
Commenting on Simon Le Bon’s appointment CEO Andy Williamson said,
"We are truly honoured and delighted that Simon Le Bon has agreed to become one of our celebrity ambassadors. Simon’s support of our service, along with our other ambassadors, is vital in helping to raise awareness and funds to maintain what we do, seven days a week, 365 days a year. His support will enable us to reach out to wider audiences and to inspire more people to become involved with The Air Ambulance Service."
TAAS is an independent charity which relies solely on public donations, its own fund raising activities and sponsorship to provide the HEMS service It receives no Government or National Lottery funding and the role of its sporting and celebrity ambassadors are critical to its fund raising activities.
The organisation won a coveted 2011 Orange Business Award and national recognition for its fundraising strategies. It is now regarded as one of the most successful charitable organisations of its kind and is an outstanding example of Prime Minister David Cameron’s “Big Society” blueprint in action.
Celebrity ambassadors and supporters of TAAS include Hollywood actor Rob Lowe, rock stars Nick Mason from Pink Floyd and Queen’s Brian May, Formula 1 legend Damon Hill, actors Colin Salmon, Roger Lloyd Pack, England Rugby International Mike Tindall and former SAS soldier turned author Andy McNab.
You can make a donation to The Air Ambulance Service or The Children’s Air Ambulance by calling 08454 130 999 or visiting our website at
