The Midlands’ two biggest taxi operators have stepped up to offer a vital service to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC). Go Carz and A2B Radio Cars have set up an account for the air ambulance crew, offering a free taxi service for them to get back from hospital when they have travelled by land ambulance or if the aircraft has needed to return due to night time and low visibility.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity operates and funds three air ambulances and three critical care cars covering six Midlands counties: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. It’s vital pre-hospital emergency service responds to some of the most traumatic incidents such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks and strokes.

Each year, it costs between £11-12 million to maintain its clinical operations, where the charity relies solely on the support of local people and organisations to fund future lifesaving missions. The account, which was set up earlier this year, has already been used several times by the crew.

Go Carz and A2B Radio Cars, both regional hubs of the UK’s leading private hire operator Veezu are always keen to help the local community as part of their Funded by Veezu initiative. Following a cash donation in 2021, they decided to do something practical to support the charity’s clinical team who work tirelessly to keep their driver partners and many customers safe on the road.

Graham Hoof, Regional Operations Director of Veezu in the Midlands, said: “We’re always happy to offer cash donations to charities but in this case, we thought we could offer something that was of tangible benefit to the charity.

“The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity account has already proved useful to its crew. We’re so happy we’ve been able to help its team of highly skilled clinicians in instances where they have travelled to hospital via land ambulance or are unable to travel by via aircraft due to poor visibility. After a long shift, especially one where you’ve helped save lives, the last thing you need is to worry about how you’re getting home. “

Corporate partnerships manager at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, Pam Hodgetts, said: “The practical support that is being offered by the Funded by Veezu scheme through Go Carz and A2B Radio Cars is absolutely invaluable to us. Knowing that our crew can get home quickly and safely at the end of a rescue gives us all peace of mind.”