New Blackpool base gives lifesaving lift to the North West Air Ambulance charity
The North West Air Ambulance charity has moved to a brand new base at Blackpool Airport, after two decades of working out of portacabins.
The base, which was funded in part by donations from people across the region, includes their own hangar to store the air ambulance and the high speed response cars.
The helicopters each cost more than £4 million a year to maintain, and as a charity, the chance to make sure the helicopters stay in top condition is a huge boost to their financial security.
It is the first time that NWAA has had a permanent base in Blackpool.
And it's also the first time the crew will have guaranteed access to facilities like a kitchen and showers.
For pilots and paramedics coming back muddy and tired from long call-outs to some of the region's most serious incidents, the moral boost has been "massive".
It's hoped having a personal space to debrief in will leave crews better physically and mentally prepared for their next call out.
The North West Air Ambulance charity in numbers: