A LEADING air ambulance charity is appealing for people to create their will in aid of their charity.

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) provide an air ambulance service for the 2.1m people across counties including Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

Solicitors across the areas covered by the service are partnering with GWAAC to allow people to make a will for free in return for a donation to the cause.

Wills Week runs from Monday, March 31 to Friday, April 4, with the hopes of raising vital funds for the charity – which needs at least £1.5million a year to keep the air ambulance operational.

A suggested donation of £90 is applicable to single wills or £130 for a couple, and it is hoped people may also consider leaving the charity a gift in their will.

Patricia Gaitan, head of fundraising at GWAAC, said community support was vital to the survival of the service: “This is an opportunity for people to practically support the charity and ensures that we can continue to operate an emergency service for the people of our region.”

GWAAC’s medical team helped some 1,544 critically ill patients last year and saves an estimated one in five people who would otherwise die.

The charity’s helicopter flies from Filton Airfield.

To find out more visit www.gwaac.com or call 0117 9699344.