Thousands of people have reason to be grateful to the flying medics of the air ambulance, writes Zeena Lemon.

Strensham services off the M5 motorway may be an unlikely place to be awe-inspired but a trip to one of the region's three county air ambulances, based near the services, is a very uplifting experience.

Airborne in 90 seconds, the familiar red helicopters are true lifesavers. They have the speed and flexibility to be able to fly patients to a hospital offering the most appropriate treatment within the "golden hour" -- the crucial first hour after a critical injury has been sustained.

As I watched the EC135 helicopter lift into the sky I was amazed to see the speed to which it responded to a call received minutes before in the control room at R.A.F. Cosford. But as the lifesaver powered upwards and the dust literally settled I realised that the helicopter, pilot and two paramedics inside had gone to help someone whose life was hanging in the balance.

Without the three county air ambulances -- the others are based at East Midlands Airport and RAF. Cosford -- covering the 11 Midland counties and serving a population of nearly 8 million, lives would undoubtedly be lost. The helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art lifesaving equipment which enables the pre-hospital, life support, trauma-trained paramedics onboard to stabilise a patient immediately and then transfer them to the most suitable hospital.

But as Anne Newell, special events co-ordinator for the county air ambulance explains, this vital service is funded by the generosity of the public and is not, as one may assume, an NHS service.

"The county air ambulance is a registered charity and the helicopters cost £2.4m per year," she said.

"Thirteen years ago, there was no such thing as an air ambulance in the region. Now we have three, and that is entirely due to the generosity of the public, who see the need for such a vital service to be maintained."

Indeed, with up to seven call-outs a day, 365 days a year, it is a comforting thought that where ambulances can't go because the terrain is too difficult or if sheer speed is required, a person in need is one 999 call away from the support and expertise of the air ambulance.

"The helicopters and the service they provide are all about survival but our survival is dependent on people's generosity," Anne said.

A peek inside the helicopter really brings this home. The stretcher and the myriad equipment used to keep people alive are allied with dedication and passion of the people who work in the sky and on the ground to make sure this service delivers.

A red ministering angel or simply a very special helicopter -- whichever way you want to look at it, the county air ambulances save lives every day.