PUPILS from across Andover joined together to raise over £5,500 for the air ambulance with a special yellow and green day.

Youngsters from 23 schools, two play-schools and the Scott Centre took part in fundraising last Friday for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) as a thank you.

The town-wide event was organised by Samantha Turner after the charity helped save the life of three-year-old family friend Joshie Thomas in November last year.

Joshie was airlifted to hospital from his Colvin Close home following a serious accident, and spent three months in recovery before he was released in February.

Samantha said: “We wanted to help the charity as they are 100 per cent reliant on donations and are not funded by the government so we wanted to give something back.”

She added: “I am astonished by how much we have raised and it is thanks to the parents, schools and children, without them we wouldn’t be able to raise as much as we have.”

Samantha said she also organised the day in memory of her grandad Monty who fundraised for the air ambulance.

During the day Anton Junior School, attended by Joshie’s sister Sophia, was given a visit by a team from HIOWAA including paramedic Jason Butler and mascot Herocopter.

The school also held a novel yellow and green lunch, along with pupils at Portway Junior School.

Speaking about Joshie, his nan Sue Daniel said: “He is doing remarkable well. If miracles happen then that is a miracle.”