12 Aug 2024
Omaze’s London house draw – which launched in June this year – has raised the largest-ever amount, resulting in a £4 million donation towards our Up Against Time appeal.
This incredible result meant after two years of campaigning, we surpassed our appeal target of £15 million to replace our two helicopters and keep them flying for years to come.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Omaze community – and all our individual supporters – we will be able to bring our new helicopters into service in October this year, to serve the 10 million people who visit, live and work in London, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Our CEO, Jonathan Jenkins, said: “Two years ago, the charity launched its most ambitious ever fundraising effort, looking to raise an additional £15 million to replace its two current helicopters.
“It was a huge challenge, but we have been blown away by how people have shared our belief in our life-saving cause. Thanks to the record-breaking amount raised by the Omaze community, the appeal has now passed its £15 million target ahead of its September deadline, meaning the charity can continue to save lives across the city and be there whenever and wherever we are most needed.”
The partnership was backed by ex-England football captain and London’s Air Ambulance Charity supporter David Beckham. But the charity was not the only winner from the Omaze campaign: a newlywed couple Hillary and Franco won the keys to the luxury property in London worth over £5 million – the most valuable property ever to be won in a UK prize draw.
The stunning property came mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. The couple have also been given £250,000 in cash to help them settle in and can decide to either live in the house, rent it out or sell.
Hillary, an English teacher at a secondary school in Nottingham, said: “Winning this house has changed our lives and the lives of the people we love forever – we just can’t believe it.
“We always give as much as we can to charity – that’s why we’ve been entering Omaze draws, as even if we hadn't won – we’ve still contributed towards a worthy cause. We have family who work in the NHS so we appreciate what the money raised goes towards.”
James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is absolutely delighted that Hillary and Franco have won their dream home in London, whilst also contributing to our biggest-ever raise of £4 million for London’s Air Ambulance Charity.
“Omaze gives people the chance to win amazing houses, like this incredible house in London, whilst also introducing charities to vast new audiences that would otherwise be out of reach – it’s a win-win for both charities and entrants. We’re immensely proud that the Omaze community has now raised over £51 million for good causes across the UK.”
London’s Air Ambulance’s advanced trauma team attended to more than 2,000 patients last year and are the only service in London who can perform life-saving interventions such as blood transfusions and open chest surgery at the scene, whenever they are needed. Thanks to Omaze and our successful appeal, our service can continue to save lives for years to come, with two new helicopters soon to come online, ready to serve London.