News of this initial success spread throughout Cornwall and prompted a tide of donations from members of the public everywhere, all wanting to contribute what they could to saving their helicopter ambulance service. From these small beginnings was formed the First Air Ambulance Service Trust, now tasked with raising over £800,000 each year to keep the air ambulance flying.

To start with, the trust's office was my dining room and our filing cabinets were comprised of old cardboard boxes, such was the need that every available penny should go directly to pay for the helicopter's flying costs. It was very much a hand-to-mouth existence and for a time we never had more than a couple of weeks money in hand to enable the service to continue. Essential office equipment, desk, chairs, typewriter, were begged or borrowed second hand from willing supporters of the cause.

Now we have managed to move a little "up-market" from the early days. After four years in my dining room, we moved our offices to the more plush accommodation of a portacabin sited at the bottom of my garden. This was kindly loaned to us by a firm of local building contractors. Once again, every item of equipment to furnish our new office was donated by local businesses or individuals.

The lessons learned in the early days when every penny was vital to the survival of the air ambulance are just as relevant today. Even now, we just have five full time staff at the office. Overheads continue to be kept as low as possible so that the public money, given to keep the air ambulance flying is, as far is as humanly possible, used for that purpose. Twice we have applied to the National Lottery to help us with funding.

Twice we have been turned down, even with help just for office accommodation and equipment. The public has been marvellous but how much longer can we keep looking to the same people to sustain the service year in and year out? I don't know the answer to that question, but as long as the public continue to support us, we shall continue to keep the helicopter flying to the aid of all those in need of its services.

Without the support of the local community this would not have been possible. With your help, we shall be able to continue. Thank you for taking the trouble to read this article on the Cornwall Air Ambulance. Our address appears elsewhere. If you would like to get in touch, please do not hesitate to do so. We shall be delighted to hear from you.

Take care and mind how you go!

See you all again soon.

MARGARETTE
Chief Exec