New Mid Wales helicopter is a high-speed lifesaver

But things are set to change for the better thanks to a new-generation air ambulance which has started service in Welshpool, shaving vital minutes off journeys to major trauma centres in the West Midlands and further afield.

The Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) charity had to raise a further £600,000 to secure the helicopter this year, smashing the £6 million fundraising barrier for the first time ever.

The new helicopter, which will operate from Mid Wales Airport in Welshpool supersedes the charity's 20-year-old model to become one of the most cutting-edge operations in the UK.

It is the third and final of WAA's helicopters to be upgraded, after two successful campaigns to replace aircraft at its Swansea and Caernarfon bases.

The upgrade from a three-seater plus patient Bolkow-105 to a five-seater and patient Eurocopter-135 comes after months of fundraising to generate the extra £600,000 for the purpose-built aircraft.

'Leap into Action' was WAA's nationwide campaign for 2012, appealing to supporters to act now to help replace the charity's aged helicopter before it was decommissioned by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Supporters rallied across Wales for the appeal, including a 200-mile trek by opera star Rhys Meirion. The Welsh tenor was joined by a host of celebrities such as X Factor singer Lucie Jones and television host Josie D'Arby for Cerddwn Ymlaen – Walk On, which saw them walk to all three airbases, raising over £60,000.

The largest single donation for the Welshpool-based helicopter came from the estate of the late Harry Boden, of Welshpool builders' merchant Boys & Boden Ltd.

The £250,000 legacy was a massive contribution to the upgrade, which has enabled the new air ambulance to be fitted with additional equipment, such as radar technology for adverse weather conditions – meaning missions can be reached regardless of weather patterns.

The cost of buying a helicopter of this kind would be around £2.5 million, but the charity leases them to make it easier to replace if any faults are detected.

As I took to the skies of Powys with paramedic Jason Williams, who is based at Welshpool, he told me how the new helicopter will have a major impact on his job.

"It is absolutely phenomenal that we have managed to get this air ambulance in Mid Wales and it will make a seriously big impact on out jobs every day," he said.

"At the moment the current helicopter is very good, but this new model is the best in the business – there is no better one out there at the moment and the new equipment on board will be vital in helping patients. When we are at the scene of a major emergency time is always the most vital commodity and with the new equipment and this faster helicopter we will be able to save vital minutes on each journey.

"This is really top of the range brand new equipment," Mr Williams added. "There is nothing better on the market right now."

Mark James, a trustee of the charity, paid tribute to the people of Powys for raising enough money for the helicopter.

He said: "We are so overwhelmed by how the people of Mid Wales donate to us and do so many amazing things to raise money for the charity. The air ambulance is vital in areas such as Powys because as a lady told me just recently, the nearest supermarket is a 45-minute round trip. This craft will make the journey times so much better and from Welshpool we would be able to get someone to the Major Trauma Unit in Stoke-on-Trent in about 20 minutes."

Angela Hughes, WAA chief executive, said: "People from every corner of Wales have helped us with our final upgrade to a new generation helicopter, meaning all three aircraft have the very latest technology for air ambulance operations here in Wales.

"This really is a new chapter for Wales Air Ambulance, and for pre-hospital care in Wales. These helicopters are faster, more efficient and have more room inside for treatment in-flight. Now that we have this technology across the country, it means everyone in Wales – from busy towns to the remotest of countryside – can benefit from this cutting-edge emergency air cover."

Charity chairman Bob Palmer said: "Having strived to get this new lease, our next challenge is to ensure that our new generation fleet continues to fly for many years to come. We are here for anyone in their most difficult hour of need, and we hope people will continue to support this lifesaving cause for Wales."