Since then the charity, which relies entirely on donations, has completed more than 22,000 missions, making a difference to thousands of lives across the region.
These pictures are just a snapshot of some of the highlights during the past 21 years.
5.
Balloon launch at Mereside Primary School, Blackpool, to raise money for the North West Air Ambulance in 2006
6.
Fundraising is vital to keep the Air Ambulance operating such as thisfunding presentatiion in 2005. Pictured left to right: Nick Sutcliffe (paramedic), Joan Halse (Thwaites), Phil Merritt (pilot) and Lee Winterbottom (paramedic)
7.
Bloomfield Club in Blackpool presents a new BMW motorbike to the North West Air Ambulance Service in 2007. PicturedL Steve Norton, David Rigby, Bloomfield Club secretary Norman Harrop and Graham Curry.
8.
North West Air Ambulance patron Jeremy Spake, who starred in the TV docusoap Airport. Pictured (centre) enroute to Blackpool to mark the ambulance's second birthday, with Captain Colin O'Neill, of British Regional Airlines (left), and NW Air Ambulance pilot Mike Buckley (right).