pax b - I would FAR rather the public directly fund the Air Ambulance services, rather than get the NPAS-equivalent government-funded version that the government-of-the-day thinks we can afford. The current system is not perfect - one or two too many trustees and charity bosses who seem "differently" motivated from most - but is WAY better than the under-performing money-eater that Police aviation in England and Wales has become. You mentioned the lifeboat service; I consider it the go-to model for charity-run lifesaving operations, independent from political control and much better for it. No government targets, no shareholders to enrich - what's not to like?