The Great North Air Ambulance is a familiar sight on Lake District fells. Photo: GNAAS

A rescue helicopter service is hoping to drum up more support during a national initiative next month.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service, which goes to the aid of many stricken walkers, climbers and mountain bikers, is also looking for regular donors to help it run the service.

The charity is hoping for a boost during the national air ambulance week after seeing soaring demand for its services during the summer’s heatwaves.

GNAAS crew reported the amount of missions they have flown had increased by 40 per cent in the recent heatwave.

The charity would normally expect to handle 38 callouts during a two week period but its latest figures revealed it flew 53 times during a 14-day span in July.

Bosses at hope the increased awareness the week will help ease the financial burden posed by the increase in demand.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “Every callout costs in the region of £2,500, so we soon see the costs racking up when we get busy.

“Because we don’t receive Government funding, every penny of this must be raised through public donations.

“Air ambulance week provides a great opportunity for people to get behind the charity, whether it is donating, volunteering, or holding their own events.”

As well as the search for more volunteer supporters, the charity hopes to enlist an additional 100 people as regular givers.

The GNAAS covers a wide area, from North Yorkshire to the Scottish borders, from the east coast to west.

It has bases at Langwathby near Penrith and Durham Tees Valley Airport, near Darlington.

Anyone interested in receiving more information about air ambulance week or a volunteer pack can ring 01325 487263. More details are also available on the charity’s website.