DOES anyone in Swindon hope to get a place in next April's Flora London Marathon, but has not yet decided which charity to run for? I urge you to run for one of Swindon and Wiltshire's most popular causes, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

In recent years half a dozen runners have raised up to £3,000 each year for the Appeal and we thank them very much for their efforts. The Appeal is hoping that at least a dozen runners will come forward and raise more than £5,000 at next year's London Marathon.

Remember, the air ambulance makes a difference to our community.

As an incentive, the Appeal will be giving all runners a running vest with the logo of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal to wear on the day of the marathon.

Many patients have been rescued by the Air Ambulance helicopter and know the value of the service. Your help in supporting the appeal will assist in ensuring that this essential service will continue for many years to come.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal gets no funding or grants from local or national statutory bodies. Nor does it qualify for National Lottery money. So the need for the Appeal to be supported by people in the community is great. The Appeal needs to raise well in excess of £200,000 a year to keep the ambulance flying.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance has helped to rescue and airlift more than 1,200 people to hospitals in the past 10 years.

Anyone interested in running in the Flora London Marathon 2002 on April 14 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal can get hold of a sponsorship form and running vest (medium, large or extra large) by contacting me at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, Dorman House, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 5LN or by phoning 01249 463431. E-mail steve.chesworth@wiltsambs-tr.swest.nhs.uk

STEPHEN CHESWORTH

Fundraising Co-ordinator