Wiltshire Air Ambulance will receive £5,000 if it recieves enough votes in Nationwide Building Society's Big Local initiative.

Nationwide, which has its headquarters in Swindon, allows members and the public to vote online for the charities they would like to receive a £5,000 donation.

Each month Nationwide selects three charities nominated by its members from a different UK region.

The three chosen charities will each be awarded £200 and members will then be able to visit the Big Local website and vote for which of the three they would most like to receive an additional £5,000.

The Big Local also features on Nationwide’s Facebook page, see The Big Local button, allowing people to not only vote for their preferred charity but also share their choice with their friends and family, potentially generating even more votes.

The scheme is supporting charities in the South West and Wiltshire Air Ambulance is one of the three charities shortlisted.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been saving lives throughout Wiltshire and beyond for over 20 years.

In 2014, it was called to over 480 medical emergencies, assisting people with a wide range of serious injuries. It does not receive any government funding and relies totally on the generosity of the public and local communities it works within to raise the £2.5 million per year needed to keep flying.

The charity is now hoping to receive as many votes as possible through The Big Local during March to secure the £5,000 funding.

Karen Gambrell, trusts and legacy manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is proud to serve Wiltshire and we are so grateful to the members of Nationwide Building Society for nominating us for The Big Local.

"We couldn’t save lives without the people of Wiltshire fundraising to keep our helicopter flying and delivering gold standard medical care.”

Chloe Keen, senior citizenship manager at Nationwide, said: “Nationwide is owned by and run for the benefit of our members.

"The Big Local is a fantastic way for our members to get involved and tell us exactly where our funding, volunteering and fundraising efforts should be focused – after all, our members know their communities better than anyone else.

“We are supporting charities from the South West in March. Wiltshire Air Ambulance is one of three great causes nominated by our members, and we encourage everyone to vote.”

To find out more about the Big Local and to cast your vote, visit the Big Local website or visit the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Facebook page.

To nominate a charity that you think should be supported through the Big Local in the future and to find out more about Nationwide’s Living on your side initiative, visit the Living on your side website or visit your local branch.