Developers at OJO Solutions, based in Bradford on Avon, have donated £15,000 worth of studio time to build the app which launches this month.

It takes £3.75 million per year to keep the Wiltshire Air Ambulance flying and saving lives – a key fact that inspired the team when they were designing the game.

Competitors playing the game, called Helifun, need to keep their helicopter up in the air as long as possible avoiding obstacles along the way. The longer you fly the more points you earn.

Nathan Baranowski, managing director at OJO Solutions, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is seeking to engage new and existing supporters in a different way, as well as to appeal to a younger demographic.

“Helifun is a simple, but fun game which brings the work of paramedics, pilots and fundraising staff to life. This is a great example of how digital technology allows you to think outside the box, to change what you do and how you do it.

“The game has already been a massive success with everyone who has tested it and we hope it will have a huge impact for the charity.”

Helifun will be used by the charity’s volunteers interacting with members of the public at events across the county. It is available to play on the Wiltshire Air Ambulance website and to download as a free app on Apple and Android devices.

Last year, OJO Solutions worked on a revamp of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance website. Three months after the refresh, which made it easier to donate online, the charity successfully raised £11,400 through digital pledges.

OJO Solutions are also members of the charity’s business networking group, The 100 Club, where companies pledge to give £10,000 over a two-year period through fundraising, as well as pro-bono work.

Mr Baranowski recently ran the Bath Half Marathon for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and he is due to tackle the Race to the Stones in July, a two-day 100km ultra-marathon across the North Wessex Downs finishing at Avebury Stone Circle.

Alongside employee Kevin Triggle, Mr Baranowski has already jumped out of a plane to raise money. The rest of the OJO team are planning to take part in a variety of challenge events over 2019 and 2020.

Adam Baker, communications manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “Helifun is a great way for us to interact with people of all ages, as we look to use gamification to raise awareness of the importance of Wiltshire Air Ambulance to the county.

“Through Helifun we are also able to keep people informed of our upcoming challenge events, share key messages about volunteering and fundraising, or simply offer opportunities to donate.

“We’re very grateful to OJO Solutions for their time and effort in bringing Helifun to life. The support of local businesses is very important to us and it’s great to have OJO on board in our 100 club networking group for Wiltshire companies.”

Wiltshire Air Ambulance is operational up to 19 hours a day, 365 days a year and is called to, on average, three incidents each day. The helicopter is able to reach incidents anywhere in the county within 11 minutes.