Formula One local hero Mansell throws his weight behind the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Mansell, who was born in Upton, near the air ambulance base at Strensham, will draw attention to the lifesaving work of the charity which receives no government or lottery funding, and relies solely on the generosity of the public.

Each year the charity has to raise £6m to keep its three helicopters airborne 365 days per year. Since it started in 1991 it has helped save over 40,000 lives.

He said: "I am delighted to support and raise awareness of the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance which has such a close connection to Formula One and motorsport and to every one of us who drives on Britain’s busiest roads and motorway networks each day.

"We are all too often reminded of the incredible lifesaving work of the air ambulances in Formula One and motorsport, when many of our friends are airlifted from serious crashes on the circuits.

"Fernando Alonso’s crash earlier in this season in Barcelona highlighted how vital the speed of the air ambulances are in these circumstances.

"The Golden Hour, as it’s so often referred too, is so critical in helping to save lives. The speed of these air ambulance, the skill of the pilots and the critical care on board with paramedics and doctors is second to none. I fully support the fantastic lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance and encourage the public to make a donation and support their work."

The Midlands Air Ambulance responds to around 3,000 emergency incidents every year. In the last 12 months alone, it has attended 1,048 road traffic accidents on some of the most congested motorway networks in the country, responded to 175 industrial accidents, 432 sporting injuries, 158 equestrian accidents, completed 100 emergency hospital transfers and airlifted 188 children.

Other sporting stars who support the charity include rugby players Mike Tindall, Neil Back and Phil Vickery, equestrians Carl Hester and Nick Skelton, and Paralympian gold medalist Lee Pearson.