SPECIAL sculptures have been placed across Cumbria to raise awareness of a life-saving charity.

Four 8ft-long models of the Great North Air Ambulance Service’s (GNAAS) aircraft were carved and donated by Simon Jackson, from Wood Actually, and were his final chainsaw carvings before retiring from the profession.

The sculptures have all been painted with different designs by Keswick artist Paul Wilmott and GNAAS volunteer Jill Libby from Penrith.

The sculptures, at White Platts in Ambleside; Tweedies in Grasmere; Campbell Memorial Green in Coniston; and Hope Park in Keswick, have all been painted with different designs by Keswick artist Paul Wilmott and GNAAS volunteer Jill Libby from Penrith, who required the help of the charity in 2012 following a cycling incident.

Cumbria County Councillor Will Clark, who is also a volunteer and former patient of GNAAS, was instrumental in securing the sites in Grasmere, where he lives, and Ambleside.

Mr Clark suffered a serious spinal injury in July 2012 when a stick got caught in his bicycle spokes while taking part in a charity triathlon, and he broke his neck at C4.

He said: “GNAAS almost certainly saved my life transporting me to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where they could operate in twenty minutes, the same journey by road may have taken up to two hours.

“Ever since GNAAS came to my rescue it has been nice to try and give a little something back.

“I am pleased that both Tweedie’s in Grasmere, and The Lakes Parish Council at White Platts in Ambleside have agreed to be part of the project."

The helicopters will be on display across Cumbria throughout the summer.