Fans of Top Gear's Richard Hammond raise money for air ambulance

In the wake of Wednesday's horrific 280mph smash at Elvington Airfield, internet users set up a website to collect cash for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Readers of the site, pistonheads.com, created the donations page on Thursday, hoping to raise the £340 it cost to fly Mr Hammond to Leeds General Infirmary.

But, within hours, the site had raised more than £1,000. After 24 hours, the appeal was up to £30,000 - and donations were continuing to pour in.

A message on the site reads: "This page was set up by the readers of pistonheads. com due to the heartfelt feelings around this terrible accident. We are very heartened and touched by the way the motoring community has rallied (raced) around this idea and the support has been overwhelming."

As a charity, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies entirely on donations from the public to operate.

A spokeswoman for the air ambulance said: "Following the set up of a donation site by a group of Mr Hammond's fans, we are raising £1 a second.

"The total of £30,000 after 24 hours will pay for nearly ten days' use of the live-saving helicopter - this includes the crew, fuel and maintenance of the emergency vehicle.

"It is thanks to the immense popularity of Richard Hammond that this money is being raised, and we are extremely grateful to his fans."

Yesterday, the total passed the £40,000 mark.

One contributor to the website was Roger Tattersall, 42. He said: "We wanted to do something. We were stunned and delighted by this figure and it's still rising."

Mike Lindley, air ambulance operations manager, said: "The amount raised in such a short time has astonished us. It's really a reflection of how much the public supports the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the work it does, and of the kind of affection they have for Richard Hammond.

"Everyone here hopes he makes a speedy recovery."

To donate to the appeal, visit www.justgiving.com/phrichardhammond