Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has upgraded from a Bolkow 105 to an EC135 after two years of intensive fund-raising in its U.K. service area.

"It is larger and offers a quicker and smoother flight, ensuring that all our patients receive the best possible journey to hospital," says director Nicola Howkins. "The EC135 flies at 140 mph and can land in an area half the size of a tennis court making it an ideal resource for the ambulance service to send to some of the areas needed."

The EC135, based at Yeovil and leased from Bond Helicopters, costs in excess of #3,500 per day to run. "This money has to be raised largely from charitable donations from the counties of Dorset and Somerset and beyond and from proceeds from our own lottery," says Howkins. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance came into service in March 2000 and operated the Bo105 from launch until its replacement recently with the EC135.

The service, headquartered in Taunton, responds mostly to emergency calls such as sporting and road traffic accidents particularly where remote locations and serious injury are involved. On average it receives three to four calls a day.