THE East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and plans a series of special events. The air ambulance, which has saved thousands of lives, is entirely dependent on fund-raising and contributions from members of the publi

THE East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and plans a series of special events.

The air ambulance, which has saved thousands of lives, is entirely dependent on fund-raising and contributions from members of the public as it receives no direct government or National Lottery funding.

It costs �3 million per year to keep the charity's two air ambulances flying, to provide the required ancillary operations and to supply the advanced clinical equipment they carry.

The charity is also asking supporters across the region to hold their own celebratory fund-raisers. As part of the celebrations, the charity is asking those whose lives have been touched by the service in its first 10 years to contact them to share their stories.

The EAAA has operated an air ambulance service across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire since 2000. In 2007, it extended its service to include Bedfordshire. It operates two of the most advanced air ambulances in the UK - Anglia One which serves Norfolk and Suffolk and Anglia Two which serves Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Between them they have undertaken over 9,500 missions and helped to save thousands of lives across the four counties.

The planned celebrations include:

Thank you strawberry teas' for volunteers in the four counties.

A grand tenth anniversary ball at a venue to be confirmed in the region on Saturday, October 9 to mark the anniversary of the actual day the air ambulance started operations - October 10 2000.

A competition for amateur and professional photographers to help design a special range of fundraising Christmas cards for 2010 and a calendar for 2011

A celebratory ale brewed by Sudbury-based Mill Green Brewery. Called Life-Saver, the beer will be available at selected pubs and beer festivals later in the year. A limited bottle run will also be produced

A special Pie in the Sky dessert recipe book with favourite pudding recipes from celebrities, restaurateurs and community groups across the region.

A range of commemorative and other merchandise

The charity's chief executive Simon Gray said: "In 10 years, the charity has grown from flying one helicopter one day a week across one county to operating two highly advanced, well-equipped aircraft across four counties 365 days a year.

"We're proud to have reached this milestone and deeply grateful to everyone in the region who has helped us reach it. Without the public's help, we wouldn't be able to operate our life-saving service - it's as simple as that.

"Our tenth anniversary gives us an opportunity to celebrate what we've achieved together so far - and to prepare for the next 10 years. We want to take the service to new levels and to help save more lives. We have great plans for the air ambulance which we'll be talking about during the year.

"In the meantime, we're asking everyone to support our 10th anniversary initiatives. We'd also love to hear from past patients, their friends and families, and to involve them in our celebrations.

Anglia One serves Norfolk and Suffolk and Anglia Two serves Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

INFORMATION: For more information about the East Anglian Air Ambulance, contact the charity on 0845 066 9999 or check out its website at www.eaaa.org.uk