MERKUR Casino in Aberdeen, Scotland, recently marked its first year of operations by donating £5,000 to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). This generous contribution not only celebrates the casino’s successful first year but also proves its dedication to supporting the local community. The donation arrives at a time when SCAA needs it the most, as the summer months bring an increase in medical emergencies across Scotland.
Scotland’s charity air ambulance: A vital lifeline
SCAA, founded in 2013, is the country’s only charity-funded air ambulance service. Relying entirely on donations, SCAA operates two helicopters, Helimed 76 from Perth and Helimed 79 from Aberdeen, covering vast rural and urban areas.
These helicopters provide critical, fast medical responses to patients in life-threatening situations, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Since its inception, SCAA has completed over 6,200 missions, saving countless lives through rapid intervention.
MERKUR casino’s support during a critical time
As part of its first-anniversary celebrations, MERKUR Casino Aberdeen chose to donate £5,000 to SCAA, helping the charity continue its life-saving work. Despite there being a growing trend in the industry towards new instant withdrawal casinos, MERKUR has had a successful first year offering traditional bricks-and-mortar gaming experiences, including a range of table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette.
In addition to its support of SCAA, MERKUR Casino celebrated its anniversary with a weekend of entertainment featuring performances by local talent such as Chris Ashton, who has worked with Scottish music icons Wet Wet Wet and Lewis Capaldi. The casino’s contribution reflects its dedication to both providing entertainment and supporting crucial local services
Mark Schertle, Chief Operating Officer for MERKUR Casino UK, expressed his pride in supporting such a crucial cause: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our first anniversary by contributing to a cause that is so important to our community. Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance performs an invaluable service, and we are proud to support their life-saving work. This donation is our way of giving back to the Aberdeen community for the support we’ve received over the past year.”
Scottish summer’s surge of demand
SCAA’s helicopters are in particularly high demand during the summer months, when busier roads, sporting events, and public gatherings lead to more accidents and medical emergencies. The charity launched a nationwide appeal to help raise the necessary funds to keep its services running during this peak period.
SCAA needs approximately £135,000 a month throughout the summer to support its life-saving missions. Without any government funding, the charity is reliant on public and corporate donations to continue operating, with an annual running cost of £7.8 million projected for 2024-25.
SCAA’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently is critical in life-or-death situations. Once an emergency call is received, the helicopters can be airborne within five minutes, delivering medical support to remote or difficult-to-reach locations. Helimed 79, based in Aberdeen, plays a crucial role in serving the north of Scotland, ensuring that patients in rural areas receive fast transport to major trauma centres when needed.
The impact of donations
Corporate donations, such as the £5,000 from MERKUR Casino, provide essential support for SCAA to continue its operations. Kate Loades, Community Fundraising Manager at SCAA, thanked MERKUR for their generosity, stating, “Donations like these are essential for maintaining our operations and ensuring that we can continue to provide rapid response medical care to those in need. This contribution will have a direct impact on saving lives.”
In general, donations enable SCAA to maintain its fleet of helicopters, cover operational costs, and respond to more emergency call-outs, especially during busy periods like summer when demand for their services spikes.
Flying high and looking ahead
As SCAA continues to rely on the public’s generosity, donations like those from MERKUR Casino enable the charity to keep flying and saving lives. SCAA remains a vital component of Scotland’s emergency medical response, and with continued support from individuals and businesses, the charity will be able to meet the growing demand for its services in the years to come.
For those looking to contribute, SCAA’s website offers various ways to donate and support this life-saving charity, ensuring that their helicopters continue to be there when it matters most
