Big hearted residents of a housing scheme in Ely have raised more than £5,000 to keep the East Anglian Air Ambulance flying across the skies on life saving missions.

People living in the Hereward Housing sheltered scheme in Militia Way decided to support the service shortly after it was launched in 2000.

It costs £110,000 a month to keep the helicopter flying and the residents of Militia Way have been among its biggest supporters.

Last year they made a donation of just over £1,000 raised by a variety of means including selling books, puzzles, records and tapes from a stall at the entrance to the scheme.

They also hire a stall on Ely Market each year and hold a raffle to bring in more money.

This year they raised a record £1,371 taking the total raised since they started backing the Air Ambulance to well over £5,000.