UP TO 800 more patients could be saved, thanks to a new £5 million fund supporting air ambulance charities across the UK, an association says.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance will receive £250,000 from the fund from Libor fines, as well as further savings from the relief of VAT paid by the charity.

The funding was confirmed at a meeting this week between Chancellor George Osborne and the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA), whose charity will distribute the money among 20 air ambulance charities set to benefit.

Mr Osborne said: “From enabling the fantastic Air Ambulance services to extend their flying hours, to helping build brand new specialist headquarters, this funding will play a vital role on helping to save hundreds of lives every year.

“It is absolutely right that we use funds from those who demonstrated the worst values to reward those who demonstrate the best, like our hardworking air ambulance crews.

“This excellent news will potentially equate to 800 more patients per year being saved.”

Bill Sivewright, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Chief Executive Officer and chairman of the AAA: “I was delighted to be able to thank the Chancellor personally for his support.

“In line with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s vision of delivering clinical excellence, it is intended to use the grant to construct and equip a facility to support advanced clinical training, night operations planning and provide crew support for extended hours of operations.”

For more information about the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, visit dsairambulance.org.uk or call 01823-669604.