THE family of a man airlifted to hospital by the Midlands Air Ambulance is organising a fund-raising Christmas fair for the charity to say thank you for giving him an extra three months of life.

Tony Butwell, of Ucking-hall, near Upton-upon-Severn, collapsed at the wheel of his car when he suffered a heart attack in June. He was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital in the air ambulance helicopter.

Although Mr Butwell suffered a second heart attack and died at Evesham Hosp-ital on September 26, aged 63, his family say they will be forever grateful to the charity for allowing them to spend precious extra time with him.

Mr Butwell’s wife Jocelyn said: “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we would not have had the extra three months with him before he died if it was not for the Midlands Air Amb-ulance. The team were absol-utely fantastic and they have been so supportive of our family, even after the incident. They were so friendly and so helpful and they have become almost like an extended family.

“Their expertise gave us that extra time with him and we will always be in their debt.”

The Christmas fair is taking place at Edwards Car Centre, Baynhall Garage, Kempsey, from 10.30am until 2.30pm on Saturday, Novem-ber 21. It will be opened by Royal Worcester Porcelain expert Henry Sandon.

As well as many stalls and games there will be a visit from Father Christma and all the proceeds will go to the Midlands Air Ambulance.

The fair is not the only fund-raising event the family has organised for the air ambulance. Mrs Butwell’s daughter Becky and her partner Paul Price recently raised £500 by completing the Great North Run.

Mr and Mrs Butwell used to have a collection tin for the charity when they ran a jewellers business in Tewkesbury.

Mrs Butwell said: “We never knew that we were going to need their help but it is nice to know that we supported them before we did,” said Mrs Butwell.

Air ambulance area fund-raising manager Annie Newell said: “We would like to thank them for their help with this event to help raise vital funds to keep our service operational.”