Air ambulance fund soars with £50k trust donation (From Times Series)

Air ambulance fund soars with £50k trust donation

5:18pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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Hertfordshire's first air ambulance will lift off in the autumn after a £50,000 donation helped campaigners reach their target.

The Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Trust said the sum was handed over by the Gwyneth Forrester Trust last week, pushing the fund to the £313,000 mark.

In April last year, air ambulance trustees initiated an independent fundraising plan to help raise £250,000 for the project.

Hertfordshire is one of only three counties in Britain without air ambulance coverage.

Rob Forsyth, air ambulance trustee, said: "In just one year, the people of Hertfordshire have taken this campaign to their hearts. I'm amazed at the response we have had and every donation made, large or small, has made a difference.

"My thanks go out to the men, women and children of the county who have helped us turn our dream into something tangible."

Mr Forsyth said people need to continue providing donations to keep the service running.

He added: "This isn't the end of the campaign. In a way, it's just the beginning. Now we have to keep the Hertfordshire Air Ambulance flying and, to do that, we all need to maintain our efforts."

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust said: "We support the introduction of an air ambulance for Hertfordshire for an initial 12 months, during which time we can analyse its effectiveness and evaluate its clinical benefits."

For more information, visit the website hertsairambulance.uk.com, email herts@ehaat.uk.com or call Nikki Caborn on 0845 241 7690.

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