Midlands Air Ambulance

Letter: I was sorry to read of the difficulties experienced by your correspondent D Evans in the letter “Come and get it Charities” published on February 18.

It is indeed frustrating and bad for our image when a charity does not promptly collect donations, in this case a bag of clothes, from supportive members of the public.

However, D Evans is mistaken that it was the Midlands Air Ambulance that failed to make the collection. We do not collect any material donations from the public.

This is done by a third party service on our behalf and it is that organisation your correspondent will have called unsuccessfully on three occasions.

I can only apologise on behalf of the Midlands Air Ambulance and reassure all readers that we have already taken steps to improve communications with the organisation concerned.

Please don’t stop making donations to Midlands Air Ambulance, whether that be cash or clothes.

Not only is it appreciated but it is most urgently needed. We carry out more than 3,500 airlift missions in the Midlands and Welsh Borders region every year at a cost of nearly £6 million.
Most people don’t realise that we do not receive a single penny from Government or National Lottery for this and instead are entirely reliant on the generosity and support of the public and local businesses. So please, please do not stop giving. Your donations are very precious to us and do save lives.
Ian Nicholls
Midlands Air Ambulance