Events are being organised across the city to help Great Western Air Ambulance raise the £1.3 million they need to keep their helicopter flying.

People will be dancing and buying art today in support of the crew's work.

The aircraft flies emergency doctors and specialist paramedics to accidents and provides A&E level care at the scene so that patients can have immediate treatment and are stabilised before being sent to the appropriate hospital for their injuries.

Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) only receives funding for paramedic salaries and drugs and relies on its dedicated charity and the goodwill of the public to pay for the helicopter, fuel, uniform and equipment to attend serious emergencies.

Art-lovers can help raise funds for the cause by attending the annual exhibition of the Colour Pad Art Group at the Old Grammar School in Chipping Sodbury.

There will be about 80 works of art on display and available to buy, with 20 per cent of the cost going to the air ambulance appeal.

The group will also be collecting donations, holding a raffle and selling refreshments to raise more money for the lifesaving work of the air ambulance.

Social secretary, Glenys Hale, said: ""We have a different charity each year. The air ambulance had just started up when the charity was launched this year and realised how important the air ambulance is for the area."

The charity challenge team at Bristol Filton Airport, where the air ambulance is based, have arranged a fundraising ball tonight to benefit the appeal.

They hope the event at BAWA will manage to raise £5,000 through ticket sales, donations and a raffle.

Geraldine Gibson at Filton Airport, said: "We decided to support this charity because we have a very close working relationship with the operational staff and because of this, we see first hand the long hours, the hard work and commitment each and every one of them puts in to achieve their great success."