MIDLANDS Air Ambulance (MAA) is reminding people planning donations to be sure who is getting the benefit.

The charity’s warning follows the distribution of leaflets in the region from private companies called Air Ambulance Service (Trading Co) Ltd or Air Ambulance Support Ltd who are collecting items ranging from clothes to mobile phones.

The leaflets, which show a company registration number, carry pictures of helicopters and say donations will fund ground and air ambulance medical transportation.

In a statement, MAA said: “Midlands Air Ambulance wishes to make clear the charity has absolutely no association with either company. We have not authorised them to collect goods or raise funds and we receive no funding from them.

“Anyone wishing to donate clothing directly to Midlands Air Ambulance should do so only to an authorised Midlands Air Ambulance collector who will be able to show you our registered charity number and official logo. Alternatively you can contact us directly on 0800 8 40 20 40 or via www.midlandsairambulance.com and we can arrange to collect your donation.”