If you wake up this Sunday morning with a burst of energy why not divert your talents to a deserving cause?

Enthusiastic volunteers are urgently needed to help Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Appeal really take off.

That's the message from Herts Air Ambulance Appeal co-ordinator Nikki Caborn.

Nikki is looking for volunteers who can help raise money for the appeal and has a whole host of jobs they can perform.

She is looking for volunteers to look after collection tins that will be appearing in pubs, shops, clubs and offices throughout the district; advocates who can represent the appeal and talk about it to clubs, groups and societies; people who can attend public fundraising events as a representative of the appeal; and those who can sell Herts Air Ambulance fundraising merchandise.

She said: "The benefits to becoming an ambassador for the Herts Appeal mean you get to become part of a motivated team. It's a chance for you to give something back and in the process you get to meet like -minded people from your county.

"Fundraising with the Herts Air Ambulance is fun and most importantly you are helping to save lives.

"Help us make the challenge a reality. Whatever your age or experience if you want to become part of the team we would love to hear from you."

Launched in April 2007, the Hertforrdshire Air Ambulance appeal currently stands at almost £200,000 but £250,000 is needed before organisers can start thinking about chartering a suitable air ambulance and finding a permanent base for it.

Ironically, considering the county's affluence, Hertfordshire is one of the last counties in the UK without its own air ambulance coverage.

Accident victims within this county have to rely on the goodwill and freetime of neighbouring air ambulances in times of emergency.

Nikki, 26, has more reason than most to be hugely motivated by the air ambulance appeal - her nephew Harry was airlifted by the East Anglian Air Ambulance a few weeks after she started with the trust.

She has been the Herts Appeal Co-ordinator since November 2007 and has worked for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust since August 2007.

She explained: "'My job involves everything to do with the appeal from sending out tins to recruiting and looking after volunteers and managing fundraising events.

"I'm very busy, but I love working for the Herts Appeal; it's fun and very rewarding and I can't wait till the day we have a helicopter to call our own, a helicopter that will be saving lives across the entire county.'' Before working for the appeal she was a radio presenter for six years having worked for stations within the Gcapmedia Group including the FM and Digital Station Classic Gold. She also has a background in sponsorship and promotions which has helped in her new role.

Her husband Phil is also a trustee of the charity.

Nikki added: "Even when we have achieved our £250,000 target, it will take ongoing effort to keep the Air Ambulance service airborne for the future and continuing to save lives.

"With the appeal ever growing we are always on the look out for dedicated volunteers to assist in our Herts Fundraising."

If you wish to become volunteer visit HertsAirAmbulance.uk.com, email Herts@ehaat.uk.com or telephone Nikki Caborn on 0845 2417690.

  • Many readers have donated money to the appeal via the Watford Observer and just this week donations arrived from Oxhey Bowls Club, Middlesex Woodturners Association and Miss S Hardy. Every penny donated could help save a life.

If you have a fundraising idea email editor@watfordobserver.co.uk and we will feature it in the newspaper.

Donations can be sent to Herts Air Ambulance Appeal c/o Watford Observer, Observer House, Caxton Way, Watford, WD18 8RJ.