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

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

The Gazette is backing the appeal for the monitor, 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.

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

Stuart Elms, clinical manager at the Essex Air Ambulance, said: “The critical care patient monitor is a cutting edge, multi-functional piece of equipment with the ability to provide a whole range of cardiac care.

“It includes the latest software and electronics, with a facility to download crucial data about the patient during a mission, enabling the crew to best treat the individual.

“After a mission, further data can be downloaded for full analysis by the crew for audit purposes to make sure they are providing the best possible patient care and, if necessary, to change practices as required.

“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 while ensuring patient safety and care is kept to the forefront.”

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.

Or you can call 0845 2417690, or visit essexair ambulance.uk.com or text MNTR12, followed by the amount you would like to give (e.g. £10), to 70070.