MONEY is being raised for the air ambulance service after it was called out to help a boy in need.

On Tuesday, a teenager was taken to hospital with head injuries after he was assaulted by a gang of youths in Darwen town centre.

It is understood he is now home where he is recovering well but that he has been left extremely shaken by what happened.

And while the North West Air Ambulance was not used to take the 14-year-old to hospital, it was called upon to offer assistance.

Now a local resident hopes to raise £1,000 – to be split between the air ambulance charity and the victim to help with his recovery.

A statement on a GoFundMe page by Emma Proctor reads: “As most of you will now be well aware, on Tuesday, June 14, an innocent 14-year-old boy was brutally attacked in Darwen town centre, by three other boys whilst waiting for his bus after school.

“This was a serious and totally unprovoked attack. The air ambulance attended the scene and the boy was taken to hospital.

“This brutal and cowardly act by three boys is unacceptable. I would like this fundraiser to be proof that as a community and town we stand together against this kind of behaviour. We will not tolerate it!

“The money will be split between the victim to help him with his recovery and also the North West Air Ambulance charity who are not NHS funded.”

So far the page has raised £300 for 28 donations.

Luke Aspden, who donated, said: “Truly awful. Hope the boy is okay. Incredible and inspiring action by the ambulance charity. Good on you for starting this page.”

No arrests have been made at this stage.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 1041 of June 14.