Boost for air ambulance

Operators of the M6 Toll road are stumping up £30,000 to help base a life-saving helicopter in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Air Ambulance recently launched an appeal to raise £1million to fund the project, and a permanent site is currently being sought. The new helicopter will be number four in the fleet, making County Air Ambulance the largest air ambulance operator in the UK.

Paul Weir, fundraising development manager for the county, welcomed the new cash and said Midland Expressway Limited is a regular supporter.

"The company has once again re-affirmed its commitment to this vital helicopter service by presenting a further donation to the charity," he said.

"We are indebted to Midland Expressway for its support.

"It has been a loyal and valuable partner to the charity and hugely supportive of what we are trying to achieve with our Staffordshire Air Ambulance Appeal campaign."

Tom Fanning, chief executive of Midland Expressway, said he is pleased to be associated with the helicopter service.

"The Air Ambulance does a fantastic job in the region, and over the years our two organisations have evolved and developed together," he said.

"We are therefore delighted to support the new life-saving initiative in Staffordshire," said Mr Fanning. The County Air Ambulance serves an area of 8,000 square miles and a population of eight million in providing the primary response in nine counties including the West Midlands and Staffordshire.

It currently operates from bases at East Midlands Airport, RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton, and Strensham North services on the M5.

The cost of running and maintaining that level of operations stands at £3.5million.

The charity receives no government or lottery money and is funded entirely by voluntary donations from members of the public.