HAMPSHIRE and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is seeking volunteers to help promote its life-saving service.

Volunteers provide invaluable support to the charity throughout the year, fulfilling many important and rewarding roles. From giving talks to local groups and distributing donation pots to attending fundraising events and presenting two successful educational programmes, volunteers play a key role in the charity’s day-to-day activities.

Charity manager Sherie Williams Ellen said: “Our volunteers play a vital role in helping to keep the air ambulance flying and saving lives. They provide an essential link to our local communities and we simply could not manage without them.”

The service is seeking to recruit a wide range of volunteers from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and is keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering, regardless of how much time they can give.

“Our volunteers have busy lives and often have to fit volunteering around several other commitments. We are keen to hear from those who want to volunteer on a regular basis, as well as those who can help out once or twice a year,” continued Sherie.

In particular, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is looking for volunteers to help present LifeLines, the charity’s new educational programme for young people aged 11 to 18. The volunteer role would suit anyone with teaching experience, or anyone comfortable presenting to groups of young people.

The charity recently launched a popular volunteer training programme, offering volunteers training in areas such as public speaking, first aid, health and safety, compliance, and inter-personal skills.

Sherie concluded: “Volunteering not only provides the perfect opportunity to support our life-saving service but it is also a great way to learn new skills and it can be a lot of fun.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance flies seven days a week, up to 19 hours a day, and attends an average of two to three missions a day, many of them life-saving.

The charity receives no government, statutory or national lottery funding for routine operations and is dependent on gifts from the public, companies and grant-making bodies to keep the air ambulance flying. It needs to raise more than £9,000 per day.

To volunteer, visit hiowaa.org.