WIDOW Gillian Fox is supporting the Gazette's campaign to save the air ambulance that went to her husband's aid after he suffered a suspected heart attack.

Dentist Tom Fox, 53, collapsed during a relay run with fellow members of the Corsham Running Club but died later in hospital, despite the paramedics' best efforts.

Mrs Fox, 52, who lives with their three children Tom, 24, Claire, 22, and Rachel 17, in Chapel Plaster, near Box, believes the air ambulance gave him the best chance of survival.

"I am signing the petition because I think the air ambulance should be kept in Wiltshire because they are so quick at responding to emergencies. They are quicker than an ambulance."

Mr Fox ran Fox Dental Practice in Corsham with his brother Richard. He collapsed during the run in Lacock organised by Chippenham Harriers on May 27 and was airlifted to Bath's Royal United Hospital.

Runners also went to his aid and kept him alive until the air ambulance arrived. One of them was a nurse who helped to resuscitate him.

Mrs Fox said: "I am very grateful to everyone who helped my husband, especially to the air ambulance for reaching him so quickly.

"It is comforting to know that they did everything they could to get him to the hospital, where doctors kept trying to resuscitate him.

Without the help from the runners and air ambulance my husband would probably have died in Lacock."

Click here to go to the Gazette's Save our air ambulance section and sign a petition to help save the air ambulance.