DONATIONS and new volunteers are top of the wish list for one dedicated member of the team at the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

Pip Duffy, the charity’s fundraising manager for Suffolk, is today urging people to back the Ipswich Star’s Lifesaver Appeal, which aims to raise �10,000 to buy new equipment to help the charity’s crews lift off for night flying later this year.

The appeal, launched earlier this month, will help purchase eight to ten sets of wireless headsets to help pilots and crews communicate more effectively with medics on board.

The EAAA aim to launch their first night flight this autumn, but in a bid to do so must meet a detailed set of criteria.

Mr Duffy said the appeal has already been vital in raising awareness of what the charity does.

He said: “It is fantastic to have the support of the Ipswich Star, it is already making more people aware of what we do.

“Our work is entirely funded by donations so campaigns like this are vital.”

Mr Duffy said another key aspect to the charity’s success is the dedication of their volunteers.

He urged anyone who is interested to get in contact and help the charity carry out their life-saving work.

To mark Volunteer’s Week next week, Tim Page, chief executive of the EAAA, said: “The charity would like to record its thanks to all of those volunteers who put in so much time and effort in support of their local air ambulance.

“Without their efforts we wouldn’t be in a position to be able to assist and, in many cases, save the lives of so many patients each year.

“The money they raise means we can not only continue to offer this essential service to the people of East Anglia, but also seek to extend our coverage into the hours of darkness later this year.”

To support the Star’s Lifesaver Appeal visit www.justgiving.com/starlifesaverappeal to donate or send a cheque to the Ipswich Star Lifesaver Appeal, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Whitehouse Distribution Centre, Whitehouse Road, Ipswich, IP1 5NX.