GENEROUS volunteers can rattle collection tins and host bake sales to help raise £2 million for a second air ambulance.

London's Air Ambulance is calling on Harrow households to join The Big Lift in its final fundraising push for the ‘Your London, Your Helicopter’ campaign to sustain a second helicopter.

In 2014, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London treated a total of 32 patients in Harrow.

When the helicopter is available, the team can be by a patient’s side up to eight times faster than in a rapid response car.

But the helicopter has already been offline for the equivalent of over 50 days so far this year for maintenance.

Graham Hodgkin, chief executive officer at London's Air Ambulance said: “It is thanks to the support of Londoners that we have raised almost £4 million of the £6 million target so far.

“We are so close to getting the second helicopter in the air and I would like to make one last plea to everyone to join our pilots, doctors, paramedics, charity staff and volunteers, who will be out in force in London, for ‘The Big Lift’.

“Volunteer or hold your own event – be as creative as you like. It’s easy to get involved and your support will help save lives.”

People can support the air ambulance by joining a collection, hosting an event such as a bake sale of children’s play day, or donating online at yourhelicopter.london or by texting HELICOPTER to 70800 to donate £5.

For more information and to join ‘The Big Lift’, please email yourhelicopter@londonsairambulance.co.uk or call 020 7220 5476.