THEY may find the sight of waves more inviting than the open skies but a group of anglers has raised £600 to keep its air ambulance flying.

Thamesdown Transport’s sea fishing club, the Thamesdown Pirates, has made the generous donation to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance after playing the lottery.

Each week since the start of the year, group members have been betting £1 on the bonus ball number, hoping their guess will be correct. The winnings, £49, were then split between the winner and the air ambulance.

President of the Thamesdown Pirates, Tony Hibbert, said: “We chose the Wiltshire Air Ambulance as we wanted to support a local charity. All the members of the Thamesdown Pirates are keen to get behind the Air Ambulance as we’ve seen just how valuable their life-saving service is and want to give all the support we can to help ensure it continues.”

Rebecca de la Bedoyere, fundraising manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, added: “We were delighted when the Thamesdown Pirates got in touch to tell us they have chosen to support us. We receive no government or National Lottery funding, and every penny raised by individuals and businesses in our community helps towards the £2.5 million we need per year to continue flying and saving lives.”

To find out more about or donate to Wiltshire Air Ambulance visit www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk.