Wills and Beck, the new dynamic duo, were on hand to celebrate the results of the London Air Ambulance charity’s three-year appeal to replace two of its helicopters.
The Prince of Wales, who served as patron of the London Air Ambulance charity’s appeal—Up Against Time—was joined by the football legend as they toured the facilities at RAF Northolt to view the two new H135 helicopters recently purchased as a result of the successful appeal.
On social media, Kensington Palace called the appeal “A huge step forward in saving lives!”
Launched three years ago, the Up Against Time appeal aimed to raise £15 million by September 2024, otherwise, according to the appeal’s website: “we can’t reach London’s most seriously injured patients in time to save them.”
Prince William personally asked David Beckham to join in the appeal as part of a prize draw that saw £4 million raised for the helicopters. On Tuesday, Beckham told reporters: “I’m an East End boy, so every time that we saw them in the air, you know, it made us very proud, and I know the incredible work that gets done.
“As soon as I was asked to be involved by Prince William, it was something that I was very honoured [to do] in all honesty. This charity has done so much for so many people over the years.”
Prince William and Beckham both signed the helicopters: William writing “Ball in the middle!”, which is a flying term for keeping a helicopter level; and Beckham writing “Thank you! Fly safe!”
The pair met with some of the pilots and medical team during their visit, hearing more about how they work to provide critical care from the air. They also met with former patients who have been served by the London Air Ambulance charity.
On social media, Kensington Palace wrote: “Thanks to an incredible fundraising effort to raise £16 million to purchase two new H135 helicopters, @LDNairamb medical teams can continue reaching patients when every second counts.”
The two new helicopters will operate out of the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
