It's always there you in case of emergency, but now the air ambulance needs your help.

Air ambulance charities across the country are coming together to celebrate National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW) this week.

Operational every single day, air ambulances are funded by the generosity of the public and treat more than 25,000 patients a year.

On average, an air ambulance is deployed every 10 minutes; bringing the hospital to the patient and treating the most critically ill or seriously injured in their time of need.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance will be using NAAW to raise awareness of its life-saving work via social media (@DSAIRAMBULANCE).

Many supporters are already holding events or dressing up to raise funds – and it is not too late to get involved.

Tracy Bartram, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance communications manager, said:

“Last year, we were mobilised to 1,197 incidents which is an increase of 35 per cent on the previous year. We also provided 21 critical inter-hospital transfers and administered blood products to 72 patients, drastically improving their chances of getting to hospital alive.

“Since beginning night operations in November 2017, there has been some startling examples of lives saved by the availability delivery and actions of our clinical team, with our nocturnal operations accounting for at least a third of the missions we are tasked to.

“We really hope that people will follow us on social media throughout the week. We will be sharing information and videos to give our supporters an insight into our work and show how any funds raised are making such a difference to so many people’s lives. We also hope that it will encourage others to support us in whichever way they can.

“On behalf of everyone at the charity, thank you all for your wonderful and continued support.”

For more information and to donate, visit dsairambulance.org.uk/naaw or call 01823 669604.