ISOLATING air medics are asking children to cheer them up by sending them pictures of helicopters as part of an art contest.

Paramedics, doctors and pilots at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), who have been working behind closed doors since March, have been missing visits from former patients and supporters but are hoping children will respond to its call for art to brighten up their base.

“We are a tight team, and great friends, but quite frankly, we’re all sick of the sight of each other,” said paramedic Lee Salmon. “We can’t wait to welcome visitors back, but in the meantime we think some fresh art work would brighten the place up a bit.”

Children are asked to create a piece of art inspired by the work of GNAAS.

The winners will be used in an exhibition at its Eaglescliffe base, while the children will also get to visit and meet the team and mascots. A selection will also form a 14 metre collage on the back of an HGV trailer.

Hawthorns Logistics of Washington has been a long-standing supporter of GNAAS and has offered to decorate the trailer to raise awareness for the charity.

Chris Kilsby, director at Hawthorns Logistics, said: “This trailer will do many thousands of miles every month, and every inch of the way will be showing off not only the Great North Air Ambulance Service, but also all the talented young artists we have in our region. We can’t wait to see some of their creations.”

To enter, a photo or scan of the artwork should be sent to competition@gnaas.co.uk with the subject Art Competition 2020 and including the child's age and name, before the closing date of Friday, July 24.

The competition is split into three age groups: under 7s, 7-11, and 12 years and over.