TWO patient transport service companies in Swindon have jointly raised £1,000 to keep Wiltshire Air Ambulance in the air.

Akcess Medical, which provides non-emergency patient transport service, and its community-interest sister company, Akcess CIC, managed to raise the funds from a staff fun day.

The event was organised by Akcess Medical’s crew manager, Tracey Mason, who said: “We were going to run a fun day for the staff then decided to get the public involved and try to raise some money for charity at the same time.

“Wiltshire Air Ambulance was an obvious charity to support, because they do such a great job and rely almost entirely on public donations to keep flying. It takes £8,904 a day – or £3.25m a year – to keep the air ambulance flying, so while our donation is a drop in the ocean, it all helps.”

Kenresa Stratford, fundraising and events coordinate at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “Thanks so much to the team at Akcess Medical and Akcess CIC for their incredible fundraising from their family fun day held in the summer.

“We really appreciate their support, it means that we can continue to keep flying and saving lives.”

Akcess Medical, based on the Elgin Trading Estate, has been providing its service across Wiltshire since 2015.