Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, who attend incidents across the whole of Gloucestershire and the West region have revealed that they met their fundraising target and are now able to buy their new base.

The charity, that provide a critical care and air ambulance service for 2.1 million people across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset and surrounding areas, launched a capital appeal in July to raise the additional £1.2 million they needed to top up funds from their reserves and make the purchase.

A spokesperson for the service said: "Thanks to the generous support of the local community, and all of our supporters we have exceeded our target, raising £1.3 million in cash and pledges to go towards the final purchase and kit out costs."

Prior to moving to the new Almondsbury base, the team were operating out of one of the oldest air hangars in the Uk at Filton Airfield.

GWAAC Chief Executive Anna Perry, said: “We are thrilled to have completed the purchase of our new air base in Almondsbury.

"This is a purpose built facility which provides our crew, who work on the cutting edge of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, with all the facilities they require.

"It’s thanks to the generous donations of you, our supporters, across our region that we are able to take this monumental step.”

GWAAC Lead Paramedic John Wood said: “Moving into the new air base at Almondsbury and buying the facility has had a hugely positive impact on the team. We are now operating from a base that is fit for the cutting edge work we do."