HERTFORDSHIRE could get its own air ambulance service if enough money is raised. The Essex Air Ambulance has been successfully running its fund-raising operation for 10 years, but there is no air ambulance service covering Hertfordshire. It costs in exce

HERTFORDSHIRE could get its own air ambulance service if enough money is raised.

The Essex Air Ambulance has been successfully running its fund-raising operation for 10 years, but there is no air ambulance service covering Hertfordshire.

It costs in excess of £105,000 every month to keep an air ambulance flying and the charity receives no National Lottery or government assistance - relying instead on donations.

The Essex Air Ambulance Trust now wants to develop an independent fund-raising plan to enable the people of Hertfordshire to finance their own service.

The challenge has been described as enormous and is only achievable with the help and support of the community.

Once enough money has been raised, Hertfordshire will be able to call upon the Essex Air Ambulance to attend medical emergencies.

In time, when sufficient funds allow, a separate, dedicated Hertfordshire Air Ambulance will be serving the community.

Stephen Williams, chairman of the Essex Air Ambulance Trust, said: "In accordance with the strategic plan of the new East of England Ambulance Trust for helicopters to cover its entire six-county remit (Beds, Herts, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire), we plan to help Hertfordshire raise sufficient money for a dedicated Hertfordshire air ambulance service.

"This is a very exciting time for everyone concerned and we are looking to the business community and the people of Hertfordshire to support the appeal and make the challenge a reality."

A Hertfordshire air ambulance appeal committee has been established as part of the Essex Air Ambulance Trust using the know-how and other resources of the Essex-based charity and will be led by Rob Forsyth, a local businessman.

He said: "It is a privilege to be involved in the Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Appeal campaign.

"Every day air ambulances are making a vital difference across the country - this is one of very few counties in the UK without an air ambulance helicopter.

"My aim is to help the people of Hertfordshire raise sufficient funds, so that the air ambulance can operate in our community, bringing highly qualified clinicians and sophisticated life-saving equipment to a patient within the first few vital minutes of an emergency".

* Have you been helped by an air ambulance? Would you like to see Hertfordshire get an air ambulance service? Contact us at the Comet on editorial@thecomet.net with your views.