SCHOOLS and businesses in Swindon will don superhero capes, masks and the obligatory tights to help raise vital funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance throughout the week.

Today is the launch of National Air Ambulance Week, and WAA is urging locals to unleash their fundraising superpowers and dress the part in a bid to collect £6,850 a day until Sunday.

This is how much it will cost WAA to keep the air ambulance flying next year as its partnership with Wiltshire Police for the joint helicopter comes to an end in December 2014.

Children at 17 schools including Chiseldon Primary and Hazelwood Academy have backed the action week.

Dave Hall and Tony Hibbert, relief bus drivers at Thamesdown Transport in Swindon, will also dress up as Batman and Robin and collect money all week in Fleming Way.

Rebecca de la Bedoyere, fundraising manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “People have really got behind the hero theme and have planned some truly imaginative fundraising events.

“There’s also a lot happening online, with people telling us about their heroes, and you can follow that by checking out #WhoisyourHero.

“However people get involved it makes a real difference, they are all heroes to us.”

WAA receives no government or lottery funding and relies on donations from the public.

Among those taking part will be members of Wiltshire & Swindon Photography Group, who will be dressing up as superheroes and collecting money for the air ambulance in Swindon town centre on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

WASP will also run a photo competition on Facebook to raise funds.

Group founder Grant Waller said: “We are a Wiltshire-based group who appreciate the work of Wiltshire Air Ambulance for our local community and beyond and we want to help them raise much needed funds.”

Staff at Coventry Building Society in High Street, Highworth, will be dressing up as heroes on Friday.

There will be collections for WAA in Asda Walmart, Swindon, on Sunday and at Morrisons, Haydon Wick, on Saturday October 4.

People wishing to volunteer to help with these collections should contact WAA on 01380 739453.