Swindon Town are sponsoring a trainee critical-care paramedic at Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Keith Mills will be supported through his training and the club hoping to raise £8,500 through the season to help fund his education, medical equipment and uniform.

And the club announced that the Air Ambulance will be their Charity of the Year partner for another season and have donated it the sponsorship spot on the back of the away kit.

Keith, who joined the charity in 2015 after spending two seasons working as a pitch side paramedic at Swindon’s home games, said: “It’s amazing, a real honour and a privilege.

“The charity is already blessed with such a generous county and to have Swindon Town and Imagine Cruising (the club's main sponsor) nominate a member of the team to support is a real honour.

“They’ll be supporting my progress through my degree as well as fundraising to help get the equipment ready to do my job. Fingers crossed I’m successful and this can only benefit our patients that we help.

“I’ve been in Swindon for 15 years and it was a privilege to work with the previous physio at the club and work as a pitch-side paramedic.

“This is a new exciting chapter, not only for me but also for the charity. I won’t let them down.”

Air Ambulance chief executive David Philpott said: “We’re very grateful to the football club and their sponsors Imagine Cruising for all the money they’ve helped to raise to date.

“We were delighted to welcome Richie Wellens, his staff and the playing squad to the airbase, where they were able to meet Keith.

“We’re proud to take pride of place on the back of the away shirt in what we all hope will be a memorable campaign ahead.”

Last season the club and Imagine Cruising raised £12,000 to help fit out the charity’s rapid-response vehicle.

Town’s commercial manager Adam Wainwright said: “It gives us great pleasure to gift the charity the back our away shirt sponsorship. We feel, to do the campaign justice, their logo needs to be high in terms of profile.”