Lifesaving service completes its 16,000th mission

The service has helped save thousands of lives across Warwickshire since it started in 2003, with each mission funded entirely by supporters. The service is a charity which receives no government funding and must raise £1,700 for each mission.

This week, until Sunday September 27, the charity is holding its first ever Air Ambulance Week, during which volunteers are handing out yellow pin badges in exchange for donations. All money raised from the sale of their yellow badges will go towards saving more lives.

One person who knows the importance of the air ambulance is Jamie Burnett, who was crushed by a dumper truck in August last year. After suffering horrific injuries - including shattering his pelvis, breaking both legs and suffering large losses of blood and skin - Jamie had to spend a week in an induced coma.

After an amazing recovery, Jamie finally met the air ambulance doctor who saved his life last month at a surprise birthday party held for him at WNAA’s airbase at Coventry Airport.

Jamie said: “I’m so grateful to Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance for everything they’ve done. Until you end up using it, you just don’t realise how much of a necessity it is.”

To find out where to buy a badge, visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/give