The speed and flexibility of the helicopter has provided an extra dimension to the ambulance service's resources in the county. Had it not been available when needed it is certain that a number of the 12,000 odd patients it has transported to hospital would not have survived. Almost as important, it has greatly enhanced the quality of life and long-term recovery prospects of a great many others.

The fight for the retention of this vital service has been long, hard and sometimes desperate, but if it has meant the saving of just one life otherwise lost, it will have been worthwhile, for who can put a price on the value of a life saved?

And what of the future? As far as funding is concerned, the Air Ambulance has, for the past 14 years enjoyed phenomenal and continuing support from the local community. It's long-term prospects are, however, no more secure today than they were then, for there is no possibility that it will receive any form of "official" funding in the foreseeable future.

The public, then, are still faced with the on-going task of finding the means to sustain their life-saving helicopter for some considerable time ahead. In today's uncertain economic climate and with the advent of the National Lottery, offering the distraction of instant riches to lucky winners, how much longer will they be able to keep it going?

Only time will provide the answer to that question, but what does remain certain is that as long as they do, the Cornwall Air Ambulance will continue to fly to their aid wherever and whenever it is needed.