LOVE—and a few cash donations—is all The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) needs from its supporters.

The organisation will be stepping up efforts to raise the £250,000 necessary to buy a brand new helicopter with the launch of its Valentine’s Day-inspired "Love Your Air Ambulance" campaign next month.

As part of the month-long event, GWAAC is inviting schools, businesses and community groups to wear their best red or pink clothes and hold a charity raffle or heart-themed cake sale. John Christensen, GWAAC chief executive, said "The air ambulance attends on average one cardiac arrest per day. "With love and hearts normally at the forefront of people’s minds during February, we thought that this would be the perfect time to remind the people of our region that in order to continue operating, our charity relies on the support of the people that we serve as we receive no government or National Lottery funding.

"You never know when you might need us, and that’s why it’s so important for people to support our cause and to help keep our air ambulance flying."

The Filton-based charity is hoping to collect enough funds to replace its ageing Bölkow 105 helicopter with a Eurocopter EC 135.

The new helicopter would attend to incidents four minutes faster. It would also allow a mother and child to fly to hospital together and provide more space for the patient, equipment and mid-air treatment.

For more information about Love Your Air Ambulance month and to get involved with a fundraising activity, please contact Emma Carter on 0303 4444 999, email emma.carter@greatwesternairambulance.com or visit www.loveyourairambulance.com