Help from Harborough needed to keep chopper in the sky

An Air Ambulance service which helps cover the county has launched a huge recruitment campaign to help find volunteers who can help out during this year's Air Ambulance Week.
Critical care paramedic Jenny Conway with Air Ambulance Week badgesCritical care paramedic Jenny Conway with Air Ambulance Week badges
Critical care paramedic Jenny Conway with Air Ambulance Week badges

The second ever Air Ambulance Week appeal takes place in September and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance needs the public’s help to make it a great success.

A spokesman for the service said: “We’re looking for volunteers to come forward now for this major appeal which runs from September 17 to September 25. All we need is for people to give us an hour of their time to help save a life.

“Members of the public can help us in all sorts of ways. For example, you could become a street collector handing out yellow cross pin badges in exchange for donations or you could help organise collections.

“By volunteering you would be helping us carry out more rescue missions – each of these costs £1,700 to fly and we need your help as we get no government funding.

“There are hundreds of chances to get involved across Coventry, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.”

Last year the first ever Air Ambulance Week raised £25,000 and this year organisers said they are looking to do even better.

The service has organised a number of activities for people to get involved with.

Air ambulance volunteer Pete Corbett is urging people to come forward and sign up now. Pete was shortlisted for a national volunteer of the year award for his efforts in supporting his local air ambulance by giving up his time.

He said: “It’s very fulfilling and rewarding, knowing what you’re doing is paying for the helicopter.

“I would definitely recommend volunteering to others.”

To get involved as a volunteer during Air Ambulance Week either visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/give or phone 08454 130999 to find out more about the service.

You can also email [email protected].

The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance is based at Coventry Airport.