The Scotmid Co-operative has announced that during 2026/27 its retail businesses will actively support three air ambulance charities across the communities they serve in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.
Originally formed in Edinburgh in 1859 as St Cuthbert’s Co-operative Society, the group today operates around 300 retail outlets across the three territories.
In Scotland, Scotmid Co-op and Semichem will support Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). In the North of England, Lakes & Dales Co-op, alongside the region’s Semichem store, will partner with Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). And in Northern Ireland, Semichem will raise funds for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (Air Ambulance NI).
Throughout the year, colleagues, members and customers will get behind their respective charity partnerships through fundraising, awareness activity and local events, helping each air ambulance service continue to deliver critical care in the communities it serves.
In Scotland, SCAA operates two helicopter air ambulances from bases in Perth and Aberdeen, responding to time-critical emergencies across mainland Scotland and its islands. As Scotland’s only charity-funded air ambulance service, it relies on public support to bring urgent care to people from cities and towns to rural and island communities.
The partnership between Scotmid Co-op, Semichem and SCAA was officially marked at the charity’s Perth base, where Scotmid colleagues met staff and crew and saw first-hand the work that goes into taking urgent care to people across the country. Scotmid’s support will also be recognised on SCAA’s helicopters.
Across the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man, Lakes & Dales Co-op and the region’s Semichem store will support GNAAS. The charity provides lifesaving critical care by air and road, operating from bases in Eaglescliffe in the North East and Langwathby, near Penrith, in Cumbria.
In Northern Ireland, Semichem colleagues and customers will raise funds for Air Ambulance NI, which works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). The service brings specialist pre-hospital care directly to people who are seriously ill or injured and can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately 25 minutes.
Karen Scott, Chief Executive Officer at Scotmid, said: “We are incredibly proud that Scotmid Co-op, Lakes & Dales Co-op and Semichem will be supporting three vital air ambulance charities across the communities they serve. As a co-operative, supporting local people is at the heart of who we are, and this approach means our colleagues, members and customers can get behind the air ambulance service making a difference in their own communities.
“Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, Great North Air Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance NI all provide critical care to people facing the most serious illness or injury, often when every second counts. Our colleagues, members and customers have a fantastic track record of getting behind our charity partners. Together, we hope to raise vital funds, increase awareness of these lifesaving services and help their teams be there for people in their moment of greatest need.”
Images: Scotmid Co-operative
