Bradford fundraisers were today asked to dig deep for the air ambulance - on Yorkshire Day.

The call comes from the Yorkshire Building Society which has close connections to Yorkshire Day - August 1 - to help keep the helicopter in the air.

The Yorkshire Air Ambu-lance, based at Leeds-Bradford International Airport, is to be the beneficiary for money raised throughout Yorkshire Day on August 1 to help pay its £1 million annual running costs.

The funding is vital for the air ambulance, which has become invaluable due to the speed it can transport patients to hospital. It has assisted with more than 2,000 incidents during its three-year existence.

John Sutherland, director of Fundraising for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "The air ambulance heavily depends upon the generosity of local communities within Yorkshire to sustain this vital service.

"We would be delighted if people would get behind us by organising a fundraiser on Yorkshire Day.

"We want to create a party atmosphere throughout the whole of Yorkshire to celebrate the life-saving work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the country's heritage".

David Holmes, corporate affairs manager for the Yorkshire Building Society, which has been involved with Yorkshire Day for ten years, made the suggestion that the funding should go to the air ambulance charity.

He said: "We got involved with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance earlier this year when the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation donated money for a computer.

"Because the charity exists to serve Yorkshire residents, it seemed like a perfect idea for people throughout the county to be encouraged to raise funds for the invaluable service on Yorkshire Day."

A number of events are being organised for the day on August 1 across the county and beyond, with a celebratory lunch planned by two Yorkshiremen on Yorkshire Day in Sydney, Australia.

Several events are to be held in the Bradford area.

At White Wells there will be Ilkley Moor UFO information day and a barbecue, and Ilkley Tourist Information Centre are planning an open day which will end in a mass rendition of 'On Ilkly Moor baht 'at.

Now companies, groups and individuals are encouraged to become involved on August 1 to celebrate all things Yorkshire in aid of the West Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Anyone interested in organising a fundraising event on Yorkshire Day should contact the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity Office on 0845 1206060.