AMONG the doom and gloom of difficult financial times ahead - it is great to be able to pay a very warm tribute to an organisation that has for many families across the region made the difference between a sad event and a happy outcome. The East Anglian

AMONG the doom and gloom of difficult financial times ahead - it is great to be able to pay a very warm tribute to an organisation that has for many families across the region made the difference between a sad event and a happy outcome.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance is an absolutely British institution and one that can be trumpeted at every opportunity - great pilots and great medical staff who have made such a magnificent contribution to the life of our region in its 10 years.

The sadness is, of course, that this only happens at all because it's a charity. If ever there was an organisation that the National Lottery or state funding should support it is the vital life-saving work of the air ambulance which should not be dependent on the collecting bucket or flag days.

CLLR GEOFF HEATHCOCK

Liberal Democrat spokesman for health in Cambridgeshire.