ÖPIK SECURES BREAKTHROUGH FOR AIR AMBULANCE FUNDING

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 18th Oct 2006

Following his question to the Prime Minister today, Lembit Öpik MP, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats commented

"The Prime Minister was clearly supportive of our air ambulance service, and I was very encouraged by his grasp of the importance of this life saving service. He agreed to facilitate a meeting between representatives from the air ambulance service and his ministerial colleagues. This is just what we need. It gives us an opportunity to resolve the question mark over access to big lottery funds."

The Big Lottery Fund have expressed their eagerness to resolve this matter, and a meeting between the key players is imminent, as a direct result of the Lembit Öpik's Prime Minister's Question.

Lembit added

"We still have a major funding shortfall in Mid Wales, and unless we can fill the financial hole we will lose our local air ambulance helicopter this winter. This is worrying, as it has already conducted 200 emergency callouts since it came into service in the Summer. While I know that the public will continue to generously back their air ambulance, I sincerely hope that we will find further significant financial sponsorship to protect this lifesaving service."

Ends/diwedd