The upgraded helipad at Raigmore Hospital has become a lifeline, with over 2,100 landings since 2019 — averaging close to nine landings every week. These landings, including those by Scottish Air Ambulances and the Coastguard, highlight the high demand for helipads in emergency care. Thanks to a £480,000 donation from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads, the helipad at Raigmore was upgraded to handle larger, more frequent aircraft while meeting new standards for lighting and size.

Marking its fifth anniversary, Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal said, “This hospital helipad is one of the busiest in the country, playing a vital role in emergency care by ensuring rapid access to lifesaving treatment in the Emergency Department. Its ability to accommodate frequent and critical air ambulance and coastguard landings is essential in reducing response times and improving survival chances for patients in urgent need.”

Since its creation in 2009, the HELP Appeal has funded 50 helipads which have seen over 29,000 landings nationwide, underscoring its immense contribution to emergency care. With another 50 in the pipeline, their impact on delivering rapid lifesaving treatment is clear.