Leading energy, services
and regeneration specialist, ENGIE, recently joined partners and donors to
celebrate the ‘ground-breaking’ of its Manchester Helipad project,
demonstrating the progress of construction works at the site.

Funding for the Helipad was
raised by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s (MFT) charity, Time Save
Lives Appeal, which raised a phenomenal £3.9million in just 12 months, thanks
to the dedication and generosity of its supporters.

The new Helipad will be
located on the roof of Grafton Street multi story car park and will include an
adjoining high-level link bridge to the roof of Manchester Royal Infirmary
(MRI). The helipad will also provide access to Royal Manchester Children’s
Hospital, St Mary’s and the Royal Eye Hospital.

Robert Bertram from the
HELP Appeal charity, which is dedicated to funding hospital and air ambulance
helipads across the country, and Stephen Lowe, representing The Stoller
Charitable Trust joined MFT Chairman Kathy Cowell OBE DL, and Maurice Watkins
OBE, Charitable Fundraising Board Chairman to see progress on the construction
project, which is being led by ENGIE.

Andrew McIntosh, Regional
Managing Director at ENGIE said: “We’re delighted to be leading this pioneering
project and making a real impact to the Manchester community, by providing real
improvements to the transportation of thousands of patients.

“Manchester has some of the
world’s leading hospitals and this Helipad will provide a major boost to the
region’s healthcare services. 

“The recent ceremony and
event was a chance to celebrate the hard work everyone has put into making this
project a reality and our thanks must go out to all partners involved.�

Manchester University NHS
Foundation Trust Chairman, Kathy Cowell, said: “It was a pleasure to again meet
representatives from these organisations, who have so generously funded our
Helipad. I was delighted to show our guests construction progress so far on our
Helipad, which will help so many of our patients in the future.

“This is a very exciting
time for MFT and the helipad is a fantastic project, which will help to save so
many lives in Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond.�

Alistair Rennie, Consultant
in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at the MRI and Group Clinical Lead for
Emergency Planning at MFT, said; “This Helipad means that Air Ambulances, which
currently land on a nearby field, will be able to land directly at MFT. This is
crucial, as the first 60 minutes following a major trauma injury is known as
the ‘Golden Hour’, and treatment within the first hour can mean the difference
between life and death.

“The Helipad will ensure
both adults and children with major trauma reach their respective major trauma
receiving teams without delay. I was proud to show our guests what a difference
their generous donations will make.�

The helipad is set to be
fully operational later this year.

For further information on
ENGIE, visit www.engie.co.uk/places