I'd like to begin by putting on record my thanks and the thanks of all of us here, I'm sure, to those volunteers who are part of groups such as SAVE Wales Air Ambulance—Welshpool Base for their tireless work to raise awareness of the proposals that we are discussing here this afternoon.

The fact that there have been over 20,000 signatures, as we have already heard, opposing the closure of the Welshpool base demonstrates the strength of feeling locally towards the service, encapsulating that special relationship that exists between the air ambulance and the communities that it serves. And this relationship reflects the fact that hundreds of lives have been saved by the air ambulance, and is further exemplified, as we have already heard, by the thousands of pounds donated every year by people across mid and west Wales, who give generously from their own pockets to support this special charity. And it's disappointing that the air ambulance’s roots in its community, and the sense of local ownership of the service, are at risk due to the plans to relocate the service.