BBC listeners back air ambulance

The helicopter has answered more than 5,000 emergency calls

Air ambulance bosses who faced losing a vital fundraising centre have been offered a new rent-free base thanks to an appeal on BBC Radio Oxford.

Three organisations have come forward to offer help to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance service.

Its bosses appealed for help after the office in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, was put up for sale and the landlords said staff would have to move out by May.

It was feared a lease would have to be paid for out of reserve funds.

The people of Oxford are absolutely brilliant Trust spokeswoman Stevie Horton

The service, a charitable trust set up in June 1999, relies on sponsorship and donations for its annual running costs of £950,000.

The Kidlington office acts as an administrative centre for the trust's fundraising activities.

Trust spokeswoman Stevie Horton said of the success of the BBC's radio appeal: "This is amazing news. I think you and the people of Oxford are absolutely brilliant.

"We have had three very interesting offers of help. We have not got all the details but I have a very kind gentleman from Baynards Green who has offered to help us."

The service's helicopter, based at White Waltham airfield in Berkshire, provides a life-saving service for the Thames Valley and carries two paramedics.

Trust bosses say that the helicopter has so far answered more than 5,000 emergency calls.