GENEROUS donations have meant the Lye based Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has been able to expand its service to include night-time flying – for the first time in its 23-year history.

The charity traditionally operated its three aircraft for 14 hours of daylight during the summer months and ten in the winter.

But since September it has been operating for 14 hours a day – and has transported 38 patients between lit helipads to the area's specialist trauma hospitals after sunset.

Air operations manager Becky Tinsley said: "This has only been possible due to the tremendous support we receive from the public and the hospitals that have provided lit helipad landing sites.

"We have invested a portion of the public's donations to make this possible and are delighted to have seen such a benefit so quickly, but there is still a long way to go in improving the lit helipad network across the region.

"Undertaking full air ambulance missions at night is part of our strategic plan, but we cannot achieve this goal without further aircrew training, equipment and a more robust lit helipad network, which is why we need the continued support of the public more than ever.

"Being able to transport patients in a way never before possible during the hours of darkness is absolutely vital."

To find out more about the charity or to make a donation go to: http://www.midlandsairambulance.com/