Five-star event rider Bubby Upton is urging members of the public to donate to an appeal made by the Air Ambulance service that came to her aid after she suffered a serious riding accident.
East Anglian Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to fund its relocation and the construction of a new air base near the Suffolk/Cambridge border. The Cambridge Air Base Appeal has so far raised £5.1 million of its £8.2 million target and Bubby hopes sharing her story will encourage more donations.
In August 2023, Bubby suffered a spinal injury after the horse she was riding reared and fell on top of her breaking several vertebrae in her back.
East Anglian Air Ambulance were quickly on scene to bring enhanced skills, equipment and advanced pain relief. The Air Ambulance crew worked with the land ambulance team to stabilise Bubby with c-spine blocks to minimise the risk of further injuries on the journey to hospital and then accompanied her to Addenbrooke’s Hospital by land ambulance. At hospital she underwent seven hours of surgery to repair the fractures in her back.
Life-saving work
“The expertise of the medical team that attended me was everything,” said Bubby.
“I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I wouldn’t be doing what I am today if it wasn’t for East Anglian Air Ambulance. Supporting them and their appeal for a new base is a no-brainer for me.”
Bubby made a remarkable recovery and was back in the saddle just 12 weeks after the accident. She finished 10th at Mars Badminton Horse Trials in 2024 and represented Great Britain at the 2025 FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim Palace.
Making a difference
“We are incredibly grateful to our patients and their families – like Bubby – who choose to share their experiences with us,” said Stuart Wyle, Director of Fundraising and Supporters at East Anglian Air Ambulance.
“We know that revisiting what can often have been an incredibly difficult and frightening time isn’t always easy, but their stories have such a powerful impact.
“They help give our appeals real meaning, helping people understand the difference East Anglian Air Ambulance can make when someone is seriously ill or injured, and why continued support for our lifesaving service is so important.
“We are grateful to Bubby, her family and all those who have so far backed the Cambridge Air Base Appeal. We have made huge progress in a very short space of time with our fundraising campaign and are thankful for every donation received.”
East Anglian Air Ambulance’s Cambridge base is scheduled to close in 2029. In order to maintain the 24/7 lifesaving critical care service the charity currently provides, they need to relocate and build a new air base. Planning permission has been granted to build a base on the outskirts of Fulbourn but funds are required to enable this to happen.
To donate to the appeal, click here.
Image of Stuart Wyle, Director of Fundraising and Supporters at East Anglian Air Ambulance with Bubby Upton © East Anglian Air Ambulance.
