WILTHIRE Air Ambulance could receive £5,000 if it receives enough votes in Nationwide Building Society's Big Local initiative.

Each month Nationwide selects three charities nominated by its members from a different UK region.

The three chosen charities will each be awarded £200 and members will then be able to visit the Big Local website and vote for which of the three they would most like to receive an additional £5,000.

The scheme is supporting charities in the South West and Wiltshire Air Ambulance is one of the three charities shortlisted.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been saving lives throughout Wiltshire and beyond for almost 25 years.

In 2014, it was called to over 480 medical emergencies, assisting people with a wide range of serious injuries. It does not receive any government funding and relies totally on the generosity of the public and local communities it works within to raise the £2.5 million per year needed to keep flying.

The charity is now hoping to receive as many votes as possible through The Big Local during March to secure the £5,000 funding.

Karen Gambrell, trusts and legacy manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is proud to serve Wiltshire and we are so grateful to the members of Nationwide Building Society for nominating us for The Big Local.

"We couldn’t save lives without the people of Wiltshire fundraising to keep our helicopter flying and delivering gold standard medical care.”

To find out more or to vote for Wiltshire Air Ambulance visit http://bit.ly/1g7oD2n