London’s Air Ambulance has introduced six new response vehicles to its fleet with support from their new funding partner, Marshall Leasing.

The new Volvo XC90s will replace the outgoing vehicle fleet, which operates to ensure 24/7 coverage for the emergency service provider and deliver London Air Ambulance’s physician response unit.

The vehicles work in conjunction with its two MD902 Explorer helicopters to respond to emergency calls within the M25.

The rapid response cars deliver the same advanced trauma team as the helicopter crews, with the same equipment and drugs to a critically injured patient’s side, where they can be treated on scene.

The vehicles will be based at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, and are utilised at night or in adverse weather conditions when the helicopter teams cannot operate.

Jonathan Jenkins, chief executive of London’s Air Ambulance, said: “As an air ambulance charity, people might be surprised to know that a huge proportion of the missions our teams undertake are in our road vehicles.

“These cars fulfil the same role as our aircraft, bringing the hospital to the patient in the form of our equipment, drugs and medical teams in the fastest possible time.

“Our team having access to these new vehicles is only possible thanks to the support of our partners at Marshall Leasing.

“On behalf of everyone at London’s Air Ambulance charity, I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to everyone at Marshall Leasing for their continued backing for our service.”

London Air Ambulance partnered with Marshall Leasing to provide the funding requirements for the new vehicles, with value and service being of upmost importance when acquiring these critical assets for the charity, it said.

Working closely with Volvo Specialist Vehicles, Marshall Leasing put together a bespoke solution for the charity with the overall result very much delivering on the brief.

Richard Baird, sales director at Marshall Leasing, said: “We are of course hugely proud to be supporting such a fantastic charity service within London.

“This new client is predominantly funded through public donations, so we had to ensure that pricing was as keen as it could be.

“As a medium sized fleet management and leasing company we can be more dynamic in this regard, and being able to supply such a critical fleet of vehicles is magnificent for our business.”

Marshall Leasing funds and operates more than 12,000 cars and LCVs, providing a complete fleet management and funding solution for its customers.