A LIFESAVING charity is appealing for readers to raise £25,000 for vital equipment by September.

Essex Air Ambulance needs to raise the amount for a critical care patient monitor.

The Gazette is backing the monitor appeal which is used in all operations flown by the air ambulance.

Lightweight and portable it can be used as a defibrillator or a heart rate, oxygen level and temperature monitor, and is for both adults and children.

The existing monitor used by the crews is an older generation model and showing signs of ageing.

Stuart Elms, clinical manager at the Essex Air Ambulance, said: “Please support this appeal and make a donation as having the latest equipment on board will enable us to continue providing cutting edge, life-saving interventions to the sick and injured of Essex whilst ensuring patient safety and care is kept to the fore-front.”

Essex Air Ambulance hopes to receive regular standing order donations as well as one-off contributions to the monitor appeal.

  • TO donate to the appeal, send cheques payable to Essex Air Ambulance to: Newsquest Patient Monitor Appeal, Essex Air Ambulance, The Business Centre, Earls Colne Business Park, Earls Colne, Essex, CO6 2NS.

Alternatively call 0845 2417 690, visit essexairambulance.uk.com or text MNTR12 followed by the amount you would like to give (e.g. £10) to 70070.