Thames Valley Air Ambulance is urgently appealing to businesses to donate personal protective equipment due to growing demand for supplies due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The major shortage in protective kit means its paramedics, doctors and pilots are lacking the most suitable equipment such as disposable respirators, surgical masks and gloves, clinical aprons, coveralls, anti-fog glasses and anti-bacterial wipes.

While working in partnership with the NHS, as an independent healthcare charity, Thames Valley Air Ambulance is not currently included in the Personal Protective Equipment distribution system.

The spread of the virus means crews will 'inevitably' come into contact with infected.