Essex Air Ambulance is pleased to announce that Lloyds TSB will be sponsoring the charity into 2005.

This already successful relationship began during 2004 with Lloyds TSB sponsoring the first ever Essex Air Ambulance flyathon as well as the placement of fundraising tins in Lloyds TSB branches across the county.

Lloyds TSB's initial support for 2005 has already come in the form of a donation of £2,500, which has provided funding to equip a Presentation Suite at the Essex Air Ambulance fundraising offices in Earls Colne, near Colchester.

The new Presentation Suite has been established so that schools, community groups and corporates can visit the fundraising offices and benefit from informative video presentations about the work of their Air Ambulance and the vital service it provides to people across the county.

Jane Lambert of Essex Air Ambulance said, "It is the first time that the Essex Air Ambulance Appeal has benefited from this kind of facility and it is a very exciting initiative for us.

"We are extremely grateful to Lloyds TSB for this generous donation, which will enable us to spread our message even further.

"We are also grateful to Aspire Audio who have given the charity a discount on the equipment that has been installed."

Steve Elsom, Area Director for Lloyds TSB said of this latest donation, "Having worked closely with Essex Air Ambulance during 2004 we are pleased to continue our support into 2005. The presentation suite gives us an excellent opportunity to help the charity to establish a permanent facility to profile its valuable work in the local community"

The Essex Air Ambulance fundraising team will be hosting an official opening of the Presentation Suite later in the New Year and the facility will then be on offer to schools and community groups across Essex, who wish to learn more about their vital emergency helicopter service.