THE parents of a teenager from Wiltshire who passed away at the end of last year have called on the government to fund air ambulances.

Dawn and Andy Cubin, from Crudwell, have been tirelessly raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) in memory of their beloved daughter Hannah, who died at a sleepover at the age of 14.

They said it wasn’t until she died that they found out air ambulance services relied entirely on donations from members of the public.

It costs £3.25m a year to keep Wiltshire’s air ambulance flying, which works out at £8,904 per day.

Dawn said it was “ludicrous” that members of the public have to make contributions to keep air ambulances operational.

“In a county as large as Wiltshire, the air ambulance can reach all areas within just 11 minutes, this could be the difference between life and death,” she said.

“It’s not just for those living in Wiltshire either, if you have family members and friends living in the county, or may travel through for business or pleasure, they could also be in desperate need of the air ambulance.

“So, everyone will agree that this is an essential emergency service, but who should pay the bills?

“Aside from the generosity of the public, who have done a sterling job in raising funds so far, surely the government should cover the costs, even if only in part.”

North Wiltshire MP James Gray knows first-hand how vital how air ambulances are, having been saved by one after falling down a cliff in Cornwall, however he said it would be too expensive for the government to fund.

“I benefited from them 10-15 years ago when I fell down a Cornwall cliff,” he said.

“I was carted off then operated on. If it had not been for them, I don’t know what would have happened.

“Anybody would support them being funded by the government, but it would cost many billions of pounds.

“My instinct is them being funded voluntarily as lifeboats are is a good thing, as long as we have it.

“If it was going to be withdrawn, then it would be government funded.

“We should be congratulate them on their voluntary funding. They’re a great charity and they do a great job.”

The Cubins have now raised more than £54,000 for the WAA.

A total of 1,490 donations have come in from across the world, which is enough for 20 air ambulance missions.

To donate to the Cubins’ fundraising efforts, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Hannah-Cubin