Meera Naran MBE appointed Trustee of County Air Ambulance Trust HELP Appeal
Wednesday, 6th May, 2026
Michael Henriques, HELP Appeal Chairman; Meera Naran MBE, HELP Appeal Trustee and Robert Bertram, HELP Appeal Chief Executive
As the eighth anniversary of her son’s tragic death approaches on 31 May 2026, Meera’s appointment confirms she is extending her lifesaving mission, supporting both safer roads and now faster emergency care through the roll out of more NHS hospital helipads.
The County Air Ambulance Trust HELP Appeal, which is the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads, has announced the appointment of Mrs Meera Naran MBE as its new Trustee.
Following the death of her eight-year-old son Dev in a smart motorway collision, Meera was awarded a MBE for services to road safety in 2021, in recognition of her tireless campaigning, which helped to secure a £900 million commitment of Government funding, 18 national policy changes, including £5m for on-going education, and crucial changes to the Highway Code. In January 2026, the Government’s Road Safety Strategy included a consultation on Dev’s Law, proposing the mandatory introduction of 18 new vehicle safety technologies, including Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Meera is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy at De Montfort University in Leicester, a city where the HELP Appeal funded a new, state-of-the-art helipad at Glenfield Hospital, which opened in 2025. After visiting the helipad and learning about its vital importance to air ambulance patients who arrive at the hospital, she was invited to join the HELP Appeal’s board.
Michael Henriques MBE, Chairman of the County Air Ambulance Trust HELP Appeal, said:
“Meera’s depth of experience across government policy and working with ministers, combined with her national profile and commitment to public service, will be invaluable as we continue to fund lifesaving hospital helipads. Her insight and passion align perfectly with our mission and we very much look forward to working with her.”
Commenting on her appointment, Meera said she was excited to support the HELP Appeal adding:
"It is an honour to work with a charity that is strengthening critical care infrastructure across the UK. Integrating health and transport systems plays a vital role in improving rapid response and emergency care. Expanding access to NHS hospital helipads reduces transfer times and improves patient outcomes when it matters most.”
The HELP Appeal was created in 2009 to address a lack of hospital helipads at NHS hospitals. On-site helipads enable the safe and rapid transfer of patients directly to Emergency Departments after arrival by air ambulance, saving critical time and helping to save lives. More than 34,500 helicopter landings have taken place on the 32 brand new helipads at NHS hospital helipads it has funded with upgrades at a further 23 hospital helipads. It has also donated towards the construction of air ambulance bases across the country and funded over 40 critical care cars. A further 40 new hospital helipads and upgrades are currently planned, extending the charity’s lifesaving reach even further.
