KIND-HEARTED Worcestershire residents are being urged to make a real difference to their community and become a volunteer for the County Air Ambulance service.

The calls have been made to coincide with the 20th National Volunteers' Week, which this year runs until Monday, June 7.

The week aims to promote innovative ways to thank, recruit and involve volunteers and raise the profile of the work of the UK's 22 million unpaid helpers.

The County Air Ambulance Service, which is an entirely public-funded rapid paramedic response service, serves more than 7.8 million people in the Midlands, including residents in Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

"It's hard to believe that such a valuable resource is actually a charity. This is why the County Air Ambulance is appealing to the public to donate some of their time to assist the service," said Paul Weir, the service's fund-raising manager.

"This can include anything from organising events, providing talks to local groups and representing the charity at cheque presentations.

"Volunteering doesn't mean you have to give all your spare time to an organisation and everyone has something different to offer.

"Even if you feel you have little or no appropriate skills, there are still ways in which you can make a valuable contribution to the service.

"Volunteering can often be a way of meeting new people, offering new skills, or a productive activity to do in retirement.

"It is a great help when people feel they can donate some of their time to assist with the smooth running of the service and we are truly grateful."

Charlie Knight, a retired engineer from Malvern, is a volunteer for the County Air Ambulance.

"I got involved 12 years ago and have found it personally very rewarding," he said.

"I genuinely feel part of the team and encourage anybody who thinks they might be interested to give us a call and find out how they can help us continue to serve the area."

Anyone interested in volunteering should call 01384 241133, or write to County Air Ambulance, Charity Headquarters, Burton Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 3BB.