The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding a fundraising week after its busiest ever year..... responding  to 2,900 incidents.

The service is now asking the public to support this year’s Air Ambulance Week which takes place between Monday, September 9 and Sunday, September 15.

During the week, the charity has a number of awareness and engagement activities planned but is also hoping that the community will organise their own events in aid of the charity, sign up for their weekly lottery (£5 per month), make a one-off donation of £10 or pledge a regular donation in support of their critical work.

Operational costs are estimated to be £10 million a year and the approximate cost of one mission equating to £3,500.

Every pound raised during Air Ambulance Week will play a vital role in helping the air ambulance crew to continue saving lives.

Charles Hackett, CEO of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said: “Last year we were tasked to over 2,900 incidents; the charity’s busiest year on record.

"In some ways, this is good news, as each year we are able to bring vital, life-saving care to more patients who need it, with more people being helped and saved.

"But, at the same time, it shows how many people in our area need the enhanced and critical care that we provide, care that is otherwise not available outside of hospital.

“Next year, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance will be 25 years old.

“Our birthday next year brings the challenging gift of ensuring that we have the funds to complete these enhancements to our service and to cover the operational costs that continue to rise.

"But it also brings the opportunity to reach and provide life-saving care to patients in their hour of great need and that opportunity is huge motivation enough.

“Throughout Air Ambulance Week, you can make a difference; each act of kindness today, becomes hope for tomorrow.

"Your support is vital in enabling us to reach every patient that needs us, so on behalf of them, thank you.”