Sir David Jason pledges support for National Air Ambulance Week 24-30 September 2012

One of Britain's most famous and respected actors, Sir David Jason, is getting behind the first National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW), an initiative put together by the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA). The AAA gives a national voice to a local service.

Sir David has come a long way from his days as an electrician; since then he has won many prestigious awards for his work, with roles greatly varying from the comical Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, to the more serious role of Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost.

Sir David became interested in flying when he was young and has a keen interest in space exploration and all things aeronautical. He started out his own flying experience in gliders and then progressed to helicopters. Because of this keen interest in aviation Sir David became involved with the Association of Air Ambulances and in March 2009 Sir David was asked, and agreed, to lend his support to the work of Air Ambulance Charities by becoming Patron of AAA.

One of his main aims in taking up this role was to highlight that Air Ambulances around the UK are dependent upon donations to keep the services airborne. Sir David has voiced a national radio campaign urging the people of Britain to support their local Air Ambulance.

Speaking of his involvement, Sir David said:"I am honoured to be fronting the very first united National Air Ambulance Week campaign across the UK. It is vitally important that we spread the word that Air Ambulance charities up and down the UK are not Government funded and rely on public donations to remain operational. Every day lives are being saved by the highly skilled Air Ambulance crews. Please give whatever you can spare to support your local Air Ambulance."

The heart of the week-long Appeal will be very much encouraging the communities and businesses across the country to support their local Air Ambulance charity by holding fundraising events. By doing so it will make a huge difference and effectively help to save lives in the community that you live in. Every penny really goes a long way in helping save lives.

Clive Dickin, Director of the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) said "We are delighted to have Sir David Jason as our patron. It really does help us to raise awareness of our members and the essential work that they carry out locally. Our members are encouraging fundraising very much at a grass roots level - for example mufti or a non-uniform days at schools, colleges or work places. Fundraising should be fun!"

To register your event or to find out more about how you can help your local Air Ambulance please log onto the AAA website at:
www.aoaa.org.uk