YORKSHIRE Air Ambu-lance needs some help staying off the ground as its major sponsorship deal comes to an end.

Since October 2000 the ambulance, which costs about £1 million a year to run, has been funded by the AA - and that special arrangement comes to an expected close at the end of this month.

Now the charity which runs the service is looking for a replacement sponsor to keep the service in the air and has set-up a special fundraising office at Ripon ambulance station.

The Department of Health has agreed to stump up the £200,000 a year cost of keeping two paramedics airbourne and said that it will help if the charity was struggling.

The helicopter covers this region, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. Last year it flew 251 missions in this region and so far this year has flown 47.

Professor David Sharpe, chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity Board, said: "The AA sponsorship arrangement was a massive help, serving as a pump-primer to get the scheme of the ground. It costs around £1 million a year to keep the helicopter flying, and we are actively seeking a major sponsor to help us.

"This is a marvellous opportunity for an organisation to be associated with such a worthwhile and high-profile service. The helicopter would display their logo providing a tremendous amount of publicity across a vast area.

"Our own Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity currently brings in around £250,000 a year which is why we are moving into top gear as far as fund-raising is concerned.

"A fundraising team has just been launched in the area covered by the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service. We've hardly begun to scratch the surface here. I know we can count on the goodwill and generosity of people right across Yorkshire."

If you would like more information about the fundraising or you would like to sponsor the air ambulance contact John Everson, fundraising manager, on 07764 906515.

Updated: 10:07 Saturday, March 09, 2002