Schoolchildren in Hornsey have held two charity days in support of a life-saving pilot set to swim the English Channel later this year.

Captain Andrew Thomson, 40, from North London, is a pilot at London's Air Ambulance – and is swimming the channel in support of the charity.

It costs £10million each year to ensure that London Air Ambulance has an advanced trauma team ready to respond to critical injury 24/7, with funds needing to be raised through donations.

But in support of his swim, St Mary’s C.E Primary School raised over £3,000 that will go towards London Air Ambulance.

The school held cake sales, a ‘Wear Red’ day and hosted a special assembly where Mr Thomson spoke to the children.

Families of the schoolchildren had also contributed money to go towards the charity.

Mr Thomson said: “London’s Air Ambulance is available day and night all over London.

“It is a sad fact that anyone could need our help at any time, and we do sometimes attend traumatically injured children.

“The money raised will go directly towards helping us deliver our life-saving service and keeping our famous red helicopter flying to those who need us.”

He added that St Mary’s Primary School have been “amazing supporters” of his swim and was happy with the money raised.

London’s Air Ambulance Charity delivers medical care to the 10 million people that live work and travel within the M25.

By using a helicopter or rapid response car, a senior doctor and paramedic team can take the hospital straight to the patient, saving time for critically injured people who need urgent treatment.