And what of the future? As far as funding is concerned, the Air Ambulance has, for the past 14 years enjoyed phenomenal and continuing support from the local community. It's long-term prospects are, however, no more secure today than they were then, for there is no possibility that it will receive any form of "official" funding in the foreseeable future.

The public, then, are still faced with the on-going task of finding the means to sustain their life-saving helicopter for some considerable time ahead. In today's uncertain economic climate and with the advent of the National Lottery, offering the distraction of instant riches to lucky winners, how much longer will they be able to keep it going? Only time will provide the answer to that question, but what does remain certain is that as long as they do, the Cornwall Air Ambulance will continue to fly to their aid wherever and whenever it is needed.