NORTH West Ambulance Charity is delighted to launch its Winter Star Appeal, inviting the community to come together and make a difference this festive season.

They're asking members of the public to visit their online donation page and dedicate a star. The dedication can be to anyone they like with a financial contribution of their choice, but in doing so, it will allow the charity to fund additional lifesaving equipment and projects, ensuring the health, well-being and safety of patients, staff, and communities across the region.

Head of the Charity, Ian Savage, says:- "You can dedicate your star in whichever way you like. It could be in memory of a loved one or maybe to express thanks to our emergency crews, 999 and 111 call centre staff or patient transport service teams who you may have received treatment, support or care from this year. It's entirely up to you.  When you choose to support us, of course, we'll be incredibly grateful, but we'll also send you a beautiful wooden star to keep."

The North West Ambulance Charity funds a diverse range of projects, and every donation, regardless of size, contributes to the continued provision of vital support to communities, staff, and volunteers across the North West of England.

Here's how your gift can make a difference:-

• £10 provides hot drinks and snacks to crews experiencing long queues at hospital emergency departments over winter.
• £20 enables the charity to provide extra training support for one volunteer community first responder.
• £30 buys replacement pads for a lifesaving defibrillator within a community.
• £500 provides clinical training aids.
• £600 provides new outdoor seating for staff and volunteers at their ambulance station to provide a relaxation area.
• £1200 provides a lifesaving defibrillator for a community.

Ian continues:- "As an NHS charity, we are totally reliant on donations to help us to provide important initiatives, all of which are over and above the provision of NHS budgets. In the last year, we've committed over half a million pounds for various projects, including the provision of more than 250 community-public access defibrillators (CPADs) in areas previously without coverage, £30,000 towards provisions on welfare vehicles for crews waiting at A&E departments over winter and significant enhancements to both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas at various NWAS sites and stations to support staff. We are desperate to continue in this vein but really need your support to do it".

To support, visit this website and click on the donate button in the corner of the screen. You can also read other people's kind dedications. Your contribution will help light up the sky and make a lasting impact on the North West Ambulance Service.