The County Air Ambulance is facing an uncertain future after revealing it needs to find £2 million in extra donations to keep flying.

The charity must raise £5.6 million in 2008 to keep the air ambulance in the skies, a £2 million increase on last year’s fundraising target. The sharp rise in running costs is due to increasing demands on the service, which serves a population of 8 million in nine counties including the West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

The charity, based at Pedmore Road in Brierley Hill, is now launching a desperate appeal calling on the public to help keep the service going.

The additional money is needed due to increasing operational costs, including longer flying hours and a future commitment for doctors to be placed on the aircraft.

Spokesman Steve Parry said: “County Air Ambulance is in demand more than ever before, undertaking over 3,500 flying missions every year. Sadly, it does come at a premium.

“Our funding target needs to increase by at least £2 million in 2008.

“We have always enjoyed fantastic public and corporate support over many years and we sincerely hope the success story continues. However, we are concerned by gloomy economic forecasts, which if proved correct, could result in charitable giving being hit hard.”

County Air Ambulance was established in 1991, becoming the second air ambulance to become operational in the UK.

During the past sixteen years, over 25,000 patients have been airlifted by the helicopter service.

Three aircraft now fly seven-days a week in daylight hours from bases in the East Midlands, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

Plans for a new base in Hixon, Stafford, have recently been revealed, so that an air ambulance can serve Staffordshire from next Spring.

The operation has always been funded by public donations with no local or central government funding or National Lottery money.