Essex & Herts Air Ambulance – which has made seven life-saving helicopter visits to Hitchin over the last year – has been given a vital cash boost of £140,000 from government coffers.

The airborne lifeline had been facing a £500k shortfall due to the coronavirus crisis but will now face a more certain future in north Herts and beyond as part of an emergency £6million awarded in total to Air Ambulances UK - which will aid 21 local air ambulance charities up and down the country.

The service also provided staff as part of the family liaison team at the temporary NHS London Nightingale Hospital, where they supported families affected by the pandemic as well as carrying out their core EHAAT work.

"We are pleased to receive this money from the Government during these uncertain times," said Pam Withrington, fundraising and marketing director at EHAAT, adding: "Our crews have continued to provide a 24/7 life-saving service to the critically ill and injured of Hertfordshire and Essex and gone above and beyond to support their NHS colleagues.

Pam explained that the charity will now to reach out to the community for support to keep the air ambulance flying, explaining: "The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on our fundraising this year, with events and initiatives being cancelled or postponed because of the lockdown.

"In order to make up for an expected shortfall in donations of around £500,000, it is vital that we continue to raise funds to support our life-saving service, and this money will really help us to cover unbudgeted COVID-19 costs."