A CHARITY fears vital income could be lost if rogue collectors continue their fraudulent activity.

The Air Ambulance Service is urging its supporters and potential donators to be wary of bogus clothing collections and fake leaflets seeking to trade on the charity’s name and reputation.

Several reports have been made of a hoax charity, calling itself ‘Air Ambulance Service’ sending out collection leaflets nationwide and encouraging people to donate to them.

Chief Executive Andy Williamson said: "Christmas donations of money and clothing are crucial to our service and yet we now have to worry that criminals are distributing bogus bags that try to fool people into thinking they are giving to us when they are not."

Mr Williamson added: “As a charity, we are extremely concerned that this will affect our legitimate collections. We would encourage everyone to please check the bags and make sure they support a true air ambulance charity.

“Criminal activities like this put people off from donating which, particularly at Christmas time, can be devastating for a small charity like ours.”

The company originally responsible for distributing the leaflets was closed down by the High Court more than two years ago and its directors were prosecuted.

The service itself needs to raise more than £3 million each year to keep its services running.