The Chairman of the Scottish Ambulance Service, David Garbutt, today unveiled a plaque dedicated to Walter and Effie Kerr, who donated a new state of the art helipad on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Thanks to their generous bequest the islanders now benefit from a facility that allows 24/7 access by air ambulance helicopters without the need for assistance to activate landing lights.

Extensive engineering work was undertaken to create a purpose built landing area and access path for transfer of patients from ambulance to waiting aircraft. Incoming helicopters can activate the landing lights remotely and no longer require the Coastguard to be called out for assistance.

Walter and Effie Kerr lived all of their lives on Millport. Walter was a photographer and supplied national and local papers with pictures from Millport. He was a prisoner of war during World War II and was very active in the community for all of his life. Effie also took photographs and was a Justice of the Peace on the island. Like Water, she was very involved in the community. Walter had been transferred to hospital by the air ambulance helicopter as a patient.

David Garbutt, said: “Walter and Effie supported the community throughout their lives on the island and we are extremely grateful to them for their bequest. It is fitting that their generosity has created a lasting memory for a facility that is so important to the Cumbrae. This new helipad will benefit islanders for many years to come, allowing rapid emergency medical evacuations.

“Our air ambulance helicopters operate 24/7, providing an essential clinical service to islanders, quickly bringing additional emergency care and transferring patients to specialist hospital treatment centres.”