TV star Lorraine Kelly has revealed an air ambulance saved the life of her teenage daughter’s friend following a horrific car smash.
The presenter spoke of her “admiration” for paramedics who flew to the youngster’s aid before airlifting her to hospital.
Lorraine believes the helicopter’s speed could have made the difference between life and death.
The 53-year-old TV presenter spoke to The Courier at Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance base at Perth Airport.
Lorraine has given her backing to the service ahead of National Air Ambulance Week, which begins on September 23.
She said: “One of my daughter’s friends was in a very, very bad car accident just outside Edinburgh and it was an air ambulance that came and helped her.
“The first responders are just incredible. I think it made a difference.
“It’s the time thing as well as the expertise. They’re so good at their jobs and right away they’re able to give support and help.
“She’s fine now, thankfully, but it could have been a lot worse. Without these people, lives would be lost. My admiration for them is through the roof. It’s just brilliant, it really is.”
She said: “It’s all about saving time, particularly in rural areas. Every second counts. Maybe you’ve had a stroke or had a serious road accident. They cut the time and it gives people a much better chance of survival.
“They’ve had nearly 130 callouts since May, which is incredible and shows you they are so needed.”
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) operates for 10 hours a day, seven days a week, tasked through the 999 emergency service.
It is entirely funded by donations and costs £1.5 million a year to keep it in the air.
Lorraine said: “It’s all down to people who donate, whether it’s a fiver from someone’s pocket money or corporate sponsors, the money really is going to such a fantastic thing that is saving lives.
“It’s National Air Ambulance Week at the end of the month and we need a big push to try and get as much money as possible because, without those donations, this service can’t keep going.”
Fans of Lorraine gathered at Perth Airport when they heard she was putting in an appearance.
Linda Cochrane, 47, even closed her nearby Touchdown Cafe to take the TV star a bacon roll.
She said: “I’m a massive fan. She’s a great ambassador for charities. It’s fantastic to see her supporting the air ambulance.”
Samantha Ferrier, 29, cut short a cycle around the Perthshire countryside to see Lorraine.
She said: “I was going past and saw all the cameras. I was pleased to see it was her. My husband is in the army and she does a lot for the forces.”
Louise Cochrane, 25, who also works in Touchdown Cafe, said: “We feed the paramedics and they seemed really pleased to see Lorraine today.
“It was nice of her to come over and speak to us too. She’s so down to Earth.”
Meanwhile, medics were trying to switch shifts so they could meet Lorraine.
Air crew paramedic Bruce Rumgay said: “We heard about a week ago and the lads were looking through the roster. They were trying to do swaps.”
SCAA chief executive Gavin Davey was grateful for the TV star’s backing.
He said: “It’s very exciting that she’s supporting us and it’s really good to have her along.
“Lorraine is well known locally and nationally and we’re becoming well known locally and nationally, so there is a good match there.”
SCAA announced this week it is to launch a lottery scheme aimed at providing the existing service with further funds.
Mr Davey said: “Our biggest challenge is to sustain what we have. Our next step could be a better single aircraft but that could be two or three years down the line.”