Air ambulance plea prompts help

The air ambulance is funded entirely through donations

Air ambulance chiefs have said they have been inundated with donations since they revealed they would be badly hit by rising fuel costs.

Last month the County Air Ambulance, which operates across much of the West Midlands, said the rising fuel prices would cost it an extra £130,000 a year.

One donation it received in the last few weeks was for £50,000.

However, those behind the charity said it still needed extra public donations to keep running.

A spokesman for the air ambulance, which is supported completely by donations, said last month its hourly fuel costs will rise from £104 to £170 in October.

The air ambulance's fuel supplier gives the fuel at a reduced rate, but has warned those prices will have to go up in a few months' time.

The fleet of three air ambulances is now in action 16 hours a day, seven days a week.

The air ambulance serves Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands.

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The air ambulance needed extra funds amid rising fuel costs