Family Hub
We are so glad that we can support you and your family at this time. From the moment your child was referred to our service you became a special part of the Lia's Wings Family and as part of our family, we want to support you as best as we can. We hope this page gives you more information about our charity, what to expect on the day of your child’s Lia's Wings transfer and the support we can offer you. However, if you have any questions, please get in touch with Charlotte. Her details are below:
Who is Lia's Wings?
Lia’s Wings is a national charity that ensures babies and children can access vital medical treatment and care. Since our inception in 2010, our charity has established a strong reputation for flying babies and children between hospitals in the UK and, increasingly, to/from abroad. We work with air ambulance providers and NHS transport teams throughout to provide this vital bed-to-bed service, using aeroplanes.
Your child's air transfer will be staffed by our specialist medical staff who can respond to every referral we receive, handling the most complex conditions and medical emergencies. On board, is everything our teams need to care for your child whilst they are away from hospital. We have invested in innovative, award-winning medical equipment to allow us to meet the unique needs of every child we fly.
On average each transfer costs Lia's Wings £12,300. The NHS does not have any budget for air ambulance transfers and relies on Lia's Wings to provide this essential service at no cost. We are a small team trying to help as many families as possible, and we are so happy that we are helping yours!
Alongside our air transfers, we offer a Family Support Service to help families through difficult times. Each family referred to Lia's Wings receives bespoke support that caters for the individual needs of their child and their family's circumstances. Our support continues for as long as you need us. If you feel like you could benefit from some extra support right now, please call Charlotte on 0300 140 9980.
"Everything about the air transfer was fantastic! Everyone involved in the transfer was professional but friendly and made me feel completely at ease. It all ran smoothly and although I was worried about my little boy, I knew he was in good hands. I am so glad you made it all possible!"
- Katie, Alfie's mum
Next steps
If your child is admitted to a UK hospital, their medical team will arrange your child’s air transfer with Lia’s Wings. In the meantime, you should:
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Have a look at the consent form that you will be asked to sign - view/download the consent form.
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Read this essential information about the transfer - www.lias-wings.org.uk/uk-air-transfers-parents-info
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If you would like to travel with your child, please notify us and provide us with your name, address and date of birth.
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Let us know if you have any other questions so we can put you in touch with one of our flight nurses or doctors.
"Without Lia's Wings, our family would have been separated for weeks and potentially months until the babies were strong enough to withstand the road journey. Flying by plane made the journey quick and safe reuniting us as a family, alleviating the emotional and financial strain of being away from home, and allowed us to concentrate on our baby boys’ health."
- Sam, Max & Olli's mum
What to expect
“Lia's Wings saved my son’s life and gave me my family back. The continued support that we get from Lia's Wings continues to surprise us. The Lia's Wings team have genuine compassion for the families they support. We will forever be thankful to them."
- Debbie, Jackson's mum
Flying premature babies
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It can be a daunting idea, putting a little baby in an aircraft and flying them across the country but they are in great hands. Here are some things to know about our air transfers for premature babies:
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We have been flying children for over a decade and around 70% of our flights are for premature babies that are born unexpectedly hundreds of miles from home.
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Our bespoke flight-ready incubator enables us to fly babies as young as 23 weeks to a hospital closer to home.
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Sometimes we will use a “baby pod” which is similar to an incubator but doesn’t include the heater – this is only for bigger, more stable babies who are able to keep themselves warm in a cot. When our flight team arrive on transfer day, they will transfer your baby from their cot/incubator into our flight-ready incubator/baby pod and your baby will stay snug in this throughout the transfer until we reach the new hospital.
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Our transfers are so smooth babies often sleep through the transfer.
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We have a fridge/freezer onboard to store breast milk so that none of your precious supply goes to waste.
“Without Lia's Wings our family would have been separated for a much longer period of time. Otis, Ian and I have had a really difficult and uncertain battle and it was important that we were together to get through it, but to also share and celebrate the first weeks of our baby’s life.”
- Lori, Otis's mum
Family Support
You are not alone in this journey. We are here for you and will support you for as long as you need us.
Alongside our air transfers, we offer uniquely crafted support for every family. We offer:
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Emotional support - We provide an instant safe space for parents to talk out their worries and stressors, offering a balanced and understanding voice.
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Practical support - We present next steps to families in an accessible way, signpost families to relevant organisations and make safeguarding referrals.
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Being a voice for families - We help families navigate different organisations, speak to other organisations on behalf of parents who feel debilitated by their circumstances and help overcome barriers in their child’s treatment.
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Support from peers - We have a group of volunteers made up of families we have supported previously who have experienced grief, trauma and loss. They provide support to our families who are going through similar experiences.
If you feel that you could benefit from any of this support, please get in touch with Charlotte on the details below:
Our promise to you
We never abandon our families, we offer held space so that you can tell us what you need and when you need it. No matter how much time has passed since your child's transfer, you can always come back to us for further support.
We promise to offer:
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Uniquely crafted care for every child and every family. Each family referred to Lia's Wings receives bespoke support that caters for the individual needs of their child and their family's circumstances.
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No waiting lists, just support and solutions. We are proud to never keep a family waiting for the help they need. We do all we can to give families instant access to support and medical expertise.
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We’re here for as long as each family need us. We recognise that some families need more support than others and that overcoming grief and trauma is not linear, so we never put a time limit on our support.
“Lia’s Wings made a difference when it mattered the most. You gave us hope and so much support that it all seemed too good to be true... The support over phone calls, messages clearing my doubts, answering all my questions as well as just being there to chat when the times were rough, they went up and beyond to make sure we were okay! We are forever grateful for Lia’s Wings being there for us every step of the way. No one understood our rollercoaster like they did.”
- Aiga, Alice's mum
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Why is only one parent allowed to fly?Our planes have just enough space for our equipment, the medical team, your child and one parent to fly. We try our best to ensure there is space for at least one parent to fly with the child but this isn’t always possible if your child requires extra medical staff or equipment. If there is enough space for a parent to fly, we will let you know.
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Can I speak to someone at Lia's Wings?We would love to hear from you! Please call Charlotte on 0300 140 9980. If you would prefer to contact us by email, please message charlotte@lias-wings.org.uk.
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I’m anxious about flying but would like to accompany my child on the flight. Is there someone I can speak to about this?Of course! We want you to be as comfortable as possible with the experience, so please reach out to Charlotte from our team who would be happy to chat to you more about the transfer. Her contact details are: telephone 0300 140 9980 and charlotte@lias-wings.org.uk Please also let our flight team know about your concerns on the day of the transfer. They will be able to give you extra support and reassurance throughout the transfer. They will also prepare you for any unfamiliar sounds or movements whilst in the aircraft. Our flight teams are very friendly and will be happy to answer any questions you have.
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Can I fly with my child?You must be medically fit to fly. For mothers who have recently given birth, you need to be well enough to carry your own bag and walk on and off the aircraft without help. You can bring a small cabin bag with you, which must follow the same rules as a normal flight – no lighters or fuel, no loose batteries and no sharp objects. You will need a valid passport, or a form of photographic national ID such as a driving license. We encourage you to take photos and videos to help remember the day.
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How can I support Lia's Wings?We are always amazed at the kindness of the families we transfer. Any funds you donate or raise for Lia's Wings will help another family in a similar position to you. Here are a few ways you can support us: Share your story – this is one of the most valuable ways you can support Lia's Wings. By sharing your story, you can help us fundraise for more children’s flights and it will also help inspire and reassure other parents in a similar situation to you. Please email hello@lias-wings.org.uk if you would like to share your story. Help us shout about what we do – we are a small charity and not many people have heard about is. Please share our posts on social media and share your experiences with friends and family. Make a one-off donation or give a regular gift to Lia's Wings – Click here to make a one-off donationor give a regular gift. Take part in an event – Click here to see a full list of events. Host your own fundraiser – Our families have hosted music gigs, dinners, family fun days and raffles (to name a few) for our Charity. We really appreciate any support you can give our charity. Nominate Lia's Wings for your work’s Charity of the Year – if you would like more information on how to go about this, email hello@lias-wings.org.uk.
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What if something goes wrong?Your child will be monitored by a specialist team that includes a consultant or similar specialist neonatal/paediatric doctor or advanced nurse practitioner, a neonatal/paediatric nurse, and sometimes a paramedic. The team can provide a full range of emergency treatments if necessary. The team carries a ventilator, resuscitation equipment and emergency drugs. However, we hope to never use these – every flight is planned carefully to avoid any emergency treatment becoming necessary. If your child becomes unwell in the hours before a flight, your nurses and doctors will speak to us to decide whether it is safe to go ahead. Minor changes in your child’s condition will not normally mean the flight needs to be cancelled.
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Who is responsible for the flight?In England, there is no NHS service commissioned to provide flights for children yet often the only way babies and critically ill children can access specialist treatment and care is by aeroplane ambulance transfer. Lia's Wings is the only Charity in the UK that flies children to hospital by aeroplane. We work with air ambulance providers and NHS transport teams throughout the UK by providing funding and equipment to make these flights happen. Our flight teams are made up of NHS staff or medical staff from our aviation partners depending on availability of staff. Our aviation partners are registered and inspected by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and must follow all UK laws and regulations just like hospitals.
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