Cornwall Air Ambulance is appealing for more support after carrying out 1,105 missions in 2018 - an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year.
The increased demand is putting extra pressure on the lifesaving charity which is funded by public donations.
774 missions were flown - 650 helping Cornwall residents and 124 were visitors to the county. Another 331 missions were carried out in the charity’s critical care cars.
Missions included 358 heart-related emergencies, 94 neuro-related emergencies, 158 road traffic accidents, 140 babies, children and teenagers, 55 sporting injuries and 20 horse riding injuries
Steve Garvey, Air Operations Officer at Cornwall Air Ambulance, said: ‘What we do is only possible thanks to donations from the people of Cornwall and beyond. Their support keeps us flying every year and ensures we can be there for seriously sick and injured patients in their hour of need.
‘When it comes to saving lives every minute matters. As we respond to more calls year on year, it’s important to be able to save time wherever possible to reach more people. A new air ambulance helicopter will allow us to do that, so we really hope everyone gets behind the New Heli Appeal this year and continues to help us save more lives in the years to come.’
You can show your support for Cornwall Air Ambulance by making an online donation at www.cornwallairambulancetrust.org/donate.