Helicopter pilot and internationally-known actor Sir David Jason is supporting the work of the UK Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) at a time when the economic downturn is accelerating closer cooperation between emergency medical charities. Following high level talks between Cambridgeshire-based emergency medical charity Magpas and the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), the two organisations are working on a merger.

Simon Gray, EAAA executive director, says: "Both charities are working together closely to understand each other's operations." They will also consult extensively with their respective staff, supporters, stakeholders and legislative bodies. The organisations have been sharing resources and expertise in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire since September 2007. This service has been operated in conjunction with the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust.

Jason, now patron of the AAA, supports all moves designed to increase efficiency and raise awareness. He says: "I was helping to launch a special piece of equipment which detects overhead cables for helicopter pilots. On chatting further to the helicopter crews I became aware of just how valuable their work is and, in a small way, wondered if I could raise awareness of, and interest in, their fund-raising campaigns. With growing road traffic, sometimes a helicopter is the only form of transport which can quickly reach an accident scene."

Jason, who pilots a Robinson R44 Raven 2, adds: "I've been interested in flying since being a little boy and have a keen interest in space exploration and all things aeronautical. I started out my own flying experience in gliders and then, more recently, in helicopters. I relish the challenge of flying a helicopter as it is notoriously difficult and it is a total distraction from everything else."

He explains: "One of my chief aims in being involved with the AAA is to highlight the fact that all the air ambulance crews around the UK are solely dependent upon donations and could not survive without them. I know that everyone is constantly being asked to dig deep into their pockets for so many charities but this one really does help to save lives on a daily basis."

Jason played the London wheeler dealer Del Boy in the hit show Only Fools And Horses. His TV career started in 1967 with the comedy Do Not Adjust Your Set and dramatic roles have included the Cambridge porter Skullion in the TV mini-series of Tom Sharpe's novel Porterhouse Blue in 1987.

Anglia Two, the air ambulance serving Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, now operates seven days a week. When it began operations in August 2007 funding was only available for the aircraft to fly five days a week. Simon Gray says: "The aircraft is crewed by highly trained clinicians from Magpas which has sourced additional volunteer doctors to serve aboard.

The EAAA provides para-medics who work alongside the doctors to form an emergency medical team. These paramedics have received additional training from Magpas." The EAAA and Magpas believe that moving the helicopter up to seven day a week operations will enable it to attend an additional 150 patients a year. Anglia One provides a dedicated service to Norfolk and Suffolk.