Metro Mayor Dan Norris dropped in to meet emergency doctors and paramedics when he visited Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, to launch its status as West of England Combined Authority charity of the year.

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity provides an air ambulance and critical care car service for people across the West of England. The Metro Mayor met medical staff and those responsible for the charity's fundraising efforts.

Dan Norris said: "Most local people will have seen the bright lime green and blue air ambulance in the sky. Many will also be aware of the fleet of critical care cars. What is less well-known is that the Great Western Air Ambulance is a charity, relying on voluntary donations and without day-to-day government funding.

"Staff at The West of England Combined Authority that I lead have chosen to do fun runs and other sponsored events to raise money in the year ahead to support the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. So it was good to talk with some of the staff who work behind the scenes to ensure the charity's fundraising efforts soar.

"The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity helicopter is like a flying hospital, with skilled people and equipment usually only found in an A & E department. Its critical care doctors, specialist paramedics and pilots do amazing work 365 days a year, rushing to emergencies across the West of England. Like others in our caring professions they are extraordinary, I heard first-hand from them about the challenges they face in their daily work."