CAMELFORD Town Council have agreed to give a grant of £500 to Cornwall Air Ambulance.

A grant request was discussed by councillors at the October 6 meeting.

Mayor, Cllr Rob Rotchell said the council’s position in terms of the grants they make is usually to organisations within the area of Camelford.

It is not usual for the council to make a donation to any global or countywide organisation.

Deputy mayor, Cllr Sue Elford, said: “Everybody uses this. Everybody in Camelford can use it.”

Cllr Kirsty Ferguson said: “Our ambulances as we know are vital. We are 40 miles away, either way from a hospital, and this is a vital piece of equipment than can save our lives.”

It was suggested that the council could offer a token to show the town’s gratitude, as the air ambulance visited Camelford three times in July alone.

Clarification was given by the clerk, Mr Lee Dunkley, who said the council can make a grant from the section 137 area of the budget.

The council would be able to give up to £7.60 per electorate (around £16,000 total).

Cllr Claire Hewlett said: “For the grace of God, or who you believe in, each and every one of us may need it and we should support it.”

Cllr Rotchell noted that the air ambulance receives no central funding, adding: “It’s kept in the air purely by donations.”

Councillors noted that in the UK, Camelford is the furthest away from a general hospital.

It was proposed by Cllr Hewlett that the council grant £500. Cllr Elford seconded the proposal and all councillors voted in favour.