A SUM of £1 million has been given to the air ambulance charity which provides services across the area.

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has been given the grant from the Libor fund, which are the proceeds from fines levied on banking institutions.

In the 2014 budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced the Libor fund would be open to the emergency services.

GWAAC submitted an application and have been lobbying ever since with the help of local MPs, with Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti leading the campaign.

It was announced on Wednesday, December 3 that after many months of lobbying the bid had been successful.

John Christensen, the charity’s CEO, said: “I am over the moon. For the first time since I started GWAAC our future is looking financially secure.”

He added: “None of this could have been possible without the fantastic team behind GWAAC.”

Mr Lopresti said: “This is really fantastic news. The Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) does an amazing job saving lives, getting casualties to hospital quickly as well as being able to offer first class medical treatment at the scene.

“This money as well as helping with the cost of their new helicopter will put the GWAA on a long-term sustainable financial footing which will enable them to continue their fabulous work for many years to come.”

The Chancellor further announced VAT refunds to all air ambulance charities worth £25 million over five years.

The Eurocopter 135 helicopter recently replaced the charity’s aging Bolkow, enabling them to transform the care we are able to offer to patients.