The Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance launched its first rescue mission only an hour after it officially went live this morning.

The crew, liveried helicopter, support staff and fundraising volunteers launched the service with a fanfare and a scrum of journalists when it took over from the County Air Ambulance.

Chief executive of the trust Andy Williamson said: "We have been planning this for six months so it's fantastic to launch today. The support and help we've had is great but it's going to be an ongoing battle to keep the funds coming in.

"But I'm confident it will be well supported and I always thought it would be."

The life-saving service is manned by an experienced crew of pilots and paramedics but there is always a doctor on board - something which marks our service out from the rest.

Having a flying doctor means more drugs can be administered on scene saving precious minutes and allowing a victim to be taken direct to a specialist centre, like the head unit in Nottingham.

But the doctors only make part of the team.

Modest Dylan Griffin, who has five years experience as a paramedic with the air ambulance said: "None of us are heroes and we don't consider ourselvs in any way more important than the road ambulance.

"But we are all here for the same reason and that's to save lives."

And the pilots are equally bashful.

Captain Jeff James, who guessed he had flown 2,000 to 3,000 missions said: "I've flown corporate planes, police, public transport flights, everything except big jets. The air ambulance is the most satisfying job.

"It's not always easy, some of the shouts are very saddening and it can be quite heart wrenching. But the satisfying aspect of the job far outweighs the difficulties.

"But we operate as a team. When we are at work we do everything together, we make tea together, watch tv together, everything. And that fosters a fantastic team spirit. It makes it a better place which means we offer better care."

The air ambulance could not operate without your generous donations which have so far raised nearly £20,000 in the Melton Times appeal.

But it costs £1.5million a year to run and gets no Government funding or Lottery grants.

If you want to support the service with a regular donation contact Barbara Parish, regional fundraiser on (0115) 925 1863.

Or if you are organising an event, let us know by contacting the air ambulance hotline on (01664) 412522.