A HAMPSHIRE oil refinery has helped kick-start a fundraising campaign that will save lives.

ExxonMobil Fawley Refinery Base has become one of the first companies to throw their backing behind the Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Air Ambulance’s Minutes Matter campaign.

The aim is to raise £1.5m to boost the life-saving service to ensure they are able to offer vital treatment to critically ill patients at the scene any time of the day or night.

The base in Fawley received a Gold Level Certificate for their £10,000 donation to the appeal.

The huge investment would allow the charity to extend flying hours, moving towards the goal of flying 24 hours a day throughout the year, meet the target of having a doctor on board for every mission by October and upgrade the helicopter so that it can fly at night.

The charity, which has undertaken more than 4,500 missions since it was set up in 2007, receives no Government funding yet it costs £125,000 a month to run.

Businesses can choose to make either a £1,000, £5,000 or £10,000 donation and in return the charity offers bespoke visits and speakers for corporate events, as well as featuring the company logo on their website.