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MP backs papers’ air ambulance campaign bid

A Labour MP has backed a campaign by a group of newspapers to raise £300,000 for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

The Mansfield Chad, Ashfield Chad, Hucknall and Bulwell Dispatch and Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser have teamed up to keep the service flying, with charity chiefs saying the cash will help save up to 300 lives a year.

Ashfield MP and former GMTV journalist Gloria De Piero praised the local press for launching the campaign, and said she had full faith in the local people to get on board the fundraising.

“Our local air ambulance service is an amazing charity that relies almost entirely on the good will of the public when it comes to funding and the whopping £300,000 target might be ambitious but it’s a service that really can make the difference between life and death, so they can count on my support,” she said.

She added: “Local newspapers often support or campaign tirelessly for charities and this is just the latest example of what a paper in the heart of the local community can do.

“Past experience tells me that the good people of Eastwood won’t need much encouragement and I’m sure it won’t be long before it really takes off.”