Stoke Air Ambulance has announced it is closing following a regulatory inquiry into its operations. The charity said on its website that trustees have decided to wind down the organisation after discovering it could not operate a viable air ambulance service.
In February, the Fundraising Regulator concluded that Stoke Air Ambulance had breached the Fundraising Code of Practice. The regulator found the charity gave the impression it was operating a functional service when it had no aircraft, no operational base, no clinicians and no Care Quality Commission approval.
Regulatory findings
The Fundraising Regulator found that Stoke Air Ambulance created the impression it was up and running operationally and claimed it would bring a helicopter to public events. Its website displayed pictures of aircraft, but no evidence was found that the charity had one ready to fly.
The regulator also found that Stoke Air Ambulance encouraged donors to cancel existing donations to other organisations.
The Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity's activities and administration. The commission said it had engaged with trustees in recent months since launching the inquiry.
What happens next
The charity has cancelled all existing direct debit arrangements with immediate effect. Donors do not need to take any action.
In a statement, Stoke Air Ambulance said: "Over an extended period, the trustees have carefully reviewed the charity's position and explored a range of options for its future. In doing so, they have had to consider the challenges arising from regulatory intervention, together with the significant practical, operational and financial difficulties involved in progressing plans for a sustainable and viable operational air ambulance charity."
The Charity Commission said it will monitor how trustees handle the closure and ensure they fulfil their legal duties in redistributing remaining funds to charities with similar charitable purposes. The inquiry remains ongoing.
The separate Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which has operated for 35 years, said it is entirely separate from Stoke Air Ambulance with no organisational or operational connection. Midlands Air Ambulance stressed that Stoke Air Ambulance has never operated as an air ambulance service.
