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The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Stoke Air Ambulance CIO [Charitable Incorporated Organisation] following concerns about the charity’s governance, spending and overall viability.
The Stoke-on-Trent–based organisation was established to provide equipment and services for air ambulances across the UK. However, during regulatory engagement the Commission was told the charity intended to create its own dedicated air ambulance service for the city – a plan that has prompted questions over its strategic planning and financial sustainability.
The regulator began examining the charity in November 2025 after members of the public raised a series of complaints. These centred on the proportion of income spent on fundraising and staff costs, the level of direct charitable activity, and the handling of conflicts of interest. Particular scrutiny has focused on payments made to a company connected to one of the trustees.
Further issues emerged when the Fundraising Regulator concluded that Stoke Air Ambulance had repeatedly breached the sector’s code of practice. Details of those findings were published on 4 February 2025, adding to pressure for formal intervention. The regulator also highlighted concerns over the charity’s promotional activity, saying it had claimed on social media that an aircraft would fly in or land at local events to encourage donations. Investigators found the organisation had additionally offered a helicopter flight as an incentive for volunteers to collect money, despite only planning (unsuccessfully) to lease a helicopter for promotional use. The report concluded these amounted to misleading fundraising claims because the charity did not have the means to fulfil the promises at the time they were made.
The new inquiry will assess whether trustees have met their legal duties in managing the charity. Investigators will examine potential private benefit to trustees or connected parties, how much income has been applied solely for charitable purposes, and the appropriateness of fundraising arrangements. The Commission will also review whether the charity has a credible plan to achieve its stated aim of operating an air ambulance service.
The regulator said the scope of the inquiry could be widened if further issues come to light, signalling an in-depth review of the organisation’s future.
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