We went to East Midlands Airport to meet regional fundraising manager Barbara Parish and hand over a suitably large cheque.

She said: "This is an absolutely stunning response from the people of Melton Mowbray. We are indebted to the Melton Times for leading the campaign."

And editor Michael Cooke, who spearheaded, the campaign said: "We aimed to raise £10,000 in just 10 weeks, which we were a little apprehensive about. But the readers have rallied round and raised this fantastic sum."

The air ambulance has been called out 103 times in just six weeks highlighting the importance of the service.

On May 12, a 36-year-old driver collided with a tree suffering head injuries near Belvoir Castle. At 10.41am the helicopter was mobilised and on scene within 15 minutes, taking the man to Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, arriving in under 10 minutes.

It was not the nearest hospital but the most suitable for his injuries because of the neurological expertise.

Steve Porter, operations manager said: "From the very first day this service started it has been there to save lives. We have attended a number of casualties with very serious injuries. Without DLRAA these incidents could have been fatal."

Over the course of the appeal, fundraising events have ranged from coffee mornings to sponsored walks and firms like the East Midlands Airport and Holwell Works have also supported us.

Recent events included the Swimarathon, organised by Melton Lions, which raised more than £2,000.

And the health and safety department at Mars will present £2,928 to the charity on May 28.

But we can't stop there as the service needs £1.5 million a year to run and gets no Government or National Lottery funding.
Our appeal account will remain open at The Melton building society, account number GGG3336694COO - Air Ambulance.

And reporter Ben Truslove decided to get in on the action raising about £200 with a death-defying abseil down the air traffic control tower at East Midlands Airport.

If you are organising anything for the air ambulance or would like to sponsor Ben, email ben.truslove@meltontimes.co.uk or call (01664) 412522.

SMASHED: Reporter Ben Truslove hands over £25,000 to fundraising manager Barbara Parish and air ambulance paramedic Cherylene Camps PHOTO: JIM HARRISON