kesgrave: I owe my life to the air ambulance.

They are the words of musician Sandy Sutherland whose heart stopped on the golf course after suffering a cardiac arrest five years ago.

With land ambulances unable to reach the then 61-year-old, the East Anglian Air Ambulance was called to bring specialist crews to his aid.

Thanks to their quick work and their ability to bring specialist medics straight to the scene, crews revived Mr Sutherland and flew him to Colchester hospital for treatment.

Five years on and Mr Sutherland is backing the Ipswich Star’s Lifesaver Appeal, which aims to raise �10,000 to fund vital equipment to allow the service to operate 24 hours a day.

Mr Sutherland, the drummer with local band The Martells, is adamant, “you never know when you might need their help”.

He urged people to find out more about the life-saving work of the charity, which receives no government funding.

“They saved my life,” said Mr Sutherland of Terry Gardens, Kesgrave, who has raised �12,000 for the charity. “They were absolutely amazing, if they hadn’t got to me as quickly as they did, that would have been it.

“You never know when you might need their help - they save lives and can get to places land ambulances can’t. I urge people to find out more about their incredible work and get donating.”

n Tell us how the air ambulance have helped you. E-mail health reporter Lizzie Parry at lizzie.parry@archant.co.uk or call 01473 324739.