The East Anglian Air Ambulance has thanked the "wonderful" public for letting Britain’s Prince William get on with his job as their pilot unhindered.
The Duke of Cambridge joined the organisation, who respond to an average of five emergency calls a day, last July and there were concerns his work would cause a fuss in the local community and attract unwanted attention.
However, speaking after the charity’s annual meeting on Saturday at Culford School, near Bury St Edmunds, an air ambulance spokeswoman said: "The general public has been wonderful – just letting him get on and accepting he’s someone trying to do a job like anyone else.
"As a charity we’re delighted that the region has supported his work and allowed him to get on with the job – the very important job he’s chosen to do."
Meanwhile, people whose lives had been saved stepped forward to tell their story and praise the service.
One man, Tim Papworth – who fell from a ladder and suffered a life-threatening head injury in 2010 at his farm near North Walsham, in Norfolk – shared: "The reason I’m here today is to tell my story. At the end of the day there’s no way I could pay enough back financially to say thank you for saving my life.
For me, everything I can do to raise money for the air ambulance I do. That’s why I’m here today.
"How lucky am I that we’ve got this marvellous service?"
Prince William, 33 – who lives in Norfolk with the Duchess of Cambridge, 34, and their children Prince George, two and 21-month-old Princess Charlotte – is one of 12 pilots who fly above East Anglia, which costs £10m a year to run.
Their senior pilot Captain David Kelly is running the London Marathon in April with the aim of raising £2,000 for the air ambulance. To sponsor him, go to his JustGiving page which can be found under the name ‘Dave Kelly EAAA Pilot’.
Prince William’s work thanks the public
