Shoppers at Tesco in Caterham contributed almost £2,000 for the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance in a raffle to win a car.

Staff and volunteers for the life-saving charity sold tickets for the draw at the Guards Avenue store last week (October 5^th and 6^th).

They then watched as their Redhill based aircraft landed at a nearby park after being called to a man injured in a fall.

The £19,000 convertible Mini Cooper, a brand new model, boasts tyre pressure monitoring, a Thatcham 1 alarm system, ISOFIX child seat system, front foglights, on-board computer, DAB digital radio and Bluetooth handsfree function with USB audio, reversing camera and parking distance sensors.

James Cook, Head of Lotteries & Gaming at the charity, said: “We are really grateful to Tesco in Caterham for giving us a platform to raise awareness of the charity, and to the public for their huge support.”

A dog walker who was airlifted after breaking her back was among the supporters who helped to contribute a grand total of £1,973.59 in ticket sales and donations for the Win a Mini raffle.

The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance has taken delivery of a new aircraft, an AgustaWestland AW169, which is expected to be operational soon.

Flying faster, further and for longer, it will enable the pilot, doctor and paramedic to reach, treat and deliver patients to hospital even faster.

The AW169 has a significantly larger cabin, improving in-flight access to patients, which will allow for the delivery of more life-saving interventions.

• Tickets for the Win a Mini raffle cost £5 each and can be purchased online at www.raffle.me.uk with the draw taking place on 31^st March 2017, making it a perfect present for the summer months.