TV advert to boost air ambulance

The North West Air Ambulance relies on donations to run the service

The North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) is advertising on television for the first time in a bid to help raise donations.

The service, which covers the 5,500 square miles of the North West, relies on public donations to fund its £1.9m operational costs each year.

The 30-second adverts - which will be featured during primetime ITV shows until Friday - show the air ambulance's vital rapid response to accidents.

It gets called out around four times a day but this can rise to 10 in summer.

'Big step'

Lynda Brislin, chief executive of the NWAA, said: "TV advertising is a big step for us.

"We hope that people will support the vital service the North West Air Ambulance provides by donating just 50p per week to help towards keeping us operational."

The advert, which features NWAA paramedics together with members of the Blackpool Airport Fire Brigade, can also be viewed on YouTube.

In total the advert will be aired on national television a total of 18 times.