Air Ambulance gets cash boost

A charity that saves lives across Staffordshire has received a cash boost of thousands of pounds from the firm behind the M6 Toll.

County Air Ambulance has benefited from a £30,000 donation by Midland Expressway. The firm has also pledged to sponsor the service for three further years in a deal worth a total of £90,000.

Tom Fanning, chief executive of Midland Expressway, said: "We are committed to supporting the excellent service provided by County Air Ambulance. Our ongoing support for the charity actually benefits the entire community by helping the service to provide fast emergency care to people.

"Midland Expressway is extremely proud to work with this vital charity and we are delighted to be making such a valuable contribution towards the life saving work of County Air Ambulance."

The company first started a corporate partnership with the service back in 2000, while the 27-mile motorway itself opened in December 2003. Paul Leaman, charity director for County Air Ambulance, said: "As a charity, donations from both the business community and the general public are absolutely crucial to enable us to continue to provide this important service.

"The costs of running and maintaining the current level of operations stand at £5.6 million each year, and so the commitment from Midland Expressway gives our funds the great boost that we need."

Nick Paul, the chairman of Midland Expressway Ltd, joined Helen Hitchman of the County Air Ambulance and David Harrison, Director of Midland Expressway, Mr Fanning, Mr Leaman and flight crew at the presentation.