Players from Bristol Rugby have backed the Great Western Air Ambulance's appeal to raise £1.3 million to provide their life-saving service.

England-capped lock forward Roy Winters and centre Neil Brew, who has played for New Zealand Maori, visited the crew at their Filton Ambulance base to find more about their work.

Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) flies emergency doctors and specialist paramedics to accidents and provides A&E-level care at the scene so patients are stabilised before being sent to the appropriate hospital for their injuries.

The unit only receives funding for drugs and paramedic salaries and relies on its dedicated charity and people's goodwill to pay for the helicopter, fuel, uniform and equipment.

GWAA operations manager and critical care paramedic Danny Hopkins showed the players the helicopter and the crew's kit.

Parts of the tour were familiar to Neil Brew, who worked with air ambulances when he lived in New Zealand.

"Having a helicopter you can get to places a lot quicker and it can be the difference between saving lives. These crews do a fantastic job," he said.

"I didn't know that some of the workers were voluntary, which is awesome."

Winters said: "I wasn't aware that the air ambulance was charity-based and cannot believe the Government don't provide for something that is worthwhile and necessary, it is a massive shame.

"I think people will dig into their pockets knowing what they get up to. It's a lot of money and they have got to keep on badgering for additional support."

Air ambulances rely on fundraising and GWAA needs £1.3m a year to keep flying.

"Thanks to Bristol Rugby for getting behind us and supporting us, it is a huge help," said Mr Hopkins.