BBC Science Editor David Shukman will give a talk about Space at the Cornwall Air Ambulance headquarters in Newquay on Friday October 19.

The lecture, entitled Reporting Space: The Excitement and the Reality, will see him discuss his own experience inside the hangar at the charity’s base in Trevithick Downs.

Mr Shukman has been on assignment to more than 100 countries and was the first journalist to interview astronaut Tim Peake on his return to Earth.

The event will raise funds for the New Heli Appeal to help bring a next generation air ambulance helicopter to Cornwall.

Steph Preston-Evans, Cornwall Air Ambulance Corporate Fundraising Officer, said: “It’s really exciting to have David Shukman come to our HQ for this special event. It’s a great opportunity for guests to hear a unique insight into the realities of reporting on space and put questions to an expert.”

The event is sponsored by Savills Cornwall, as part of a twelve-month national campaign by the firm’s rural division to raise £100,000 for air ambulance charities throughout the UK.

Mike Pennington, who heads up the Savills team in Cornwall, said: “The news this summer that Cornwall is set to become home to the nation’s first horizontal launch spaceport has put our region at the forefront of the UK space sector. With one of the nation’s leading space commentators at the helm, we couldn’t be more thrilled to support this one-off event, which will undoubtedly spark plenty of fascinating conversation and debate.

“The sponsorship is just one of a series of initiatives our team is involved in this year in support of this life-saving organisation and its important New Heli Appeal.”

Tickets cost £25 which includes a welcome drink and canapes. Proceeds will go towards the New Heli Appeal. To book tickets call 01872 243 252.