When are the draws? Expand Weekly draws are held every Friday. Our Annual Superdraw takes place in September.
How does the draw work? Expand Provided the entry fee has been paid, your unique draw numbers are entered into the draw. The draw is performed by a computer and winners are picked using a random number generator (RNG), which has been tested and approved to meet the standards set by the Gambling Commission.
How many entries can I have in each weekly draw? Expand You can buy up to two entries per week online. That's the equivalent of £10 per month. Additional tickets can be purchased at any time by contacting our team by emailing: [email protected] or calling: 01202 849530.
Can I choose my own numbers? Expand No, you cannot pick specific numbers in our Lottery. Your lottery numbers are automatically generated and assigned when you sign up.
How will I know if I’ve won? Expand A confirmation letter is sent to all winners. We also post the results on our Winners page. If you win, cash prizes are paid via BACS into your bank account. Voucher prizes are sent with your confirmation letter.
What are my chances of winning? Expand We estimate that each ticket has a 1 in 5,000 chance of winning a prize in the weekly draw and 1 in 25,000 in the Superdraw. The exact likelihood of winning a prize is dependent on the number of participants and will therefore change each draw.
How does my participation help? Expand Your participation directly funds our air ambulance missions, helping us provide medical care and transport to those in need across Dorset and Somerset. The reliable and regular income that the lottery provides allows us to plan more easily for the future, driving forward initiatives to possibly help more patients in the years ahead.
How much of my money goes to the charity? Expand Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance receive 100% of all lottery entry funds and pay for the weekly prizes and expenses out of this income. After prizes and expenses are paid, a fantastic 88% of the money generated by our lottery goes towards funding the life-saving service. In 2024, that was an amazing £3.9 million!
How is the Lottery regulated? Expand The Flight for Life Lottery is licensed by the Gambling Commission. For more information on the Gambling Commission visit: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
How do I cancel my subscription? Expand You can cancel your lottery subscription at any time by contacting our team by emailing: [email protected] or calling: 01202 849530.
Any more questions? Expand If you have any other questions, we are happy to help. Email us on: [email protected] or call us on: 01202 849530.
How does purchasing our defibrillator package work? Expand Purchasing our defibrillator package is an easy way for businesses, organisations or community groups to ensure access to an essential piece of life saving equipment. Firstly, your group can get in contact with us to place an order. You may already have the funds, or we can help you with fundraising within your organisation or community. DSAA will then purchase the AED package. The device will remain the property of the charity. DSAA will grant you a perpetual licence to have the device and to use it for as long as you want it. This ensures the device is maintained and ready in case it’s ever needed in an emergency. After your unit has been delivered, you will need to coordinate the installation independently. Once this is complete it is essential that you advise DSAA so that we can register your device on The Circuit.
How does installation work? Expand The installation of the unit is the responsibility of the host organisation to coordinate. We have an installation guide we can share with you; this provides all the information your electrician may need. Our full defibrillator package comes with a branded, unlocked, polycarbonate cabinet with temperature gauge. We strongly suggest this is installed by a qualified NICEIC registered electrician. The defibrillator itself operates through batteries; however, the cabinet needs to be connected to the electrics via a 3-amp fuse spur. This provides heat in cold weather to protect the device by preventing freezing and condensation.
What is The Circuit? Expand The Circuit is an online database collating the location of all registered defibrillators in the UK. Once a unit is registered on this database it is visible to NHS ambulance services and ready to be used in an emergency. Without this, many defibrillators are left unused because emergency services do not know where they are or how to access them. For this reason, it is essential that once your defibrillator has been installed, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance are advised so we can then add it to The Circuit and ensure the device is rescue ready.
What is the role of the Guardian? Expand It’s a simple job, but very important. The Host’s nominated Guardian will receive a request to set up an account with The Circuit. Once created, the Guardian must respond to The Circuit’s maintenance requests, which will ensure the AED remains rescue-ready for 999 calls. We recommend checks are conducted every two weeks and reported to The Circuit through the online portal they will gain access to, once registered by DSAA.
Why are our defibrillators supplied unlocked? Expand We have designed our package to be compliant with the latest evidence and best practice statements. RCUK (Resuscitation Council UK) have recently updated their consensus statement on public AEDs which state that these should be unlocked Following a cardiac arrest, the priority is to apply an AED to the patient with the absolute minimum delay. Only unlocked cabinets allow for this. This position is endorsed by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and NHS England.
What happens in the event of theft and/ or damage? Expand Theft and vandalism of AEDs is rare - whilst DSAA insurance doesn’t cover theft, your own insurance may, and we offer help with replacement fundraising including press releases and media and a fundraising page to help support this.
What insurance is provided? Expand DSAA will insure the asset against public liability claims. Whilst DSAA insurance doesn’t cover theft, your own insurance may, and we offer help with replacement fundraising including press releases and media and a fundraising page to help support this.
How do I use the defibrillator? Expand The defibrillator is designed to be easy to use in an emergency. It will automatically analyse the patient's condition and deliver shocks if needed. The device will provide clear voice instructions and visual prompts to guide you through the process step by step. If you’d like to learn more about using a defibrillator and performing CPR, we offer Life Support CPR and Defibrillator Awareness Sessions through DSAA. These sessions include hands-on practice and helpful resources.
What are the ongoing costs? Expand There are ongoing costs associated with keeping the device ‘rescue ready.’ There is a £100 minimum annual fundraising target towards the cost of battery and pad replacements. This amount will provide up to two replacement pads per year and batteries will be changed after five years. During the device’s seven-year lifespan, the £100 annual fee may not cover all pad replacements and DSAA will invoice for any shortfall in funds.