Sussex Air Ambulance week

They will be out and about at various stores and supermarkets throughout all four counties raising vital funds to help keep both helicopters flying.

On Funky Footwear Friday (September 23), staff and pupils at schools, colleges and businesses will be wearing their most outrageous footwear in return for a suggested donation of £1.

Chelsea and England stars John Terry and Frank Lampard have given their support by kindly donating a pair of football boots to the charity’s Funky Footwear Auction which runs until Sunday.

Air Ambulance Week is a celebration of the life-saving work of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) which flies with a specialist doctor and critical care paramedic.

So far this year both helicopters based at Marden in Kent and Dunsfold in Surrey have flown a combined total of almost 900 missions.

The charity relies almost entirely on public donations and receives no National Lottery funding.

Dr Stephen Rashford, one of the Air Ambulance doctors said: “Bubble wrap is a great example of a cost effective method to keep trauma patients warm and by doing so reduce bleeding and improving patient outcome. Just £1 will pay for a sheet of bubble wrap and could help to save a life so please give generously if you see one of our store collections.”

If you would like to make a donation to the Air Ambulance please call 01622 833833.