Medics had to use their own vehicles to reach major incidents after their vehicle was destroyed in August last year.

But the volunteer doctors now have a new car to attend emergencies – thanks to donations from the public.

More than £30,000 was raised for Basics Hampshire – including £10,000 from an anonymous donor – to bring the specially-equipped car, complete with flashing lights, back on the road.

Volunteer doctor Phil Hyde, who is also a specialist registrar and training officer for Basics, said: 'We are fantastically grateful for all of the assistance we have had from the public – without them we wouldn't exist.'

Basics doctor Brando Tamayo was attending to a 66-year-old man in Eastern Road, Portsmouth, when the old Skoda caught fire.

The new Skoda is kitted out with a special radio linking doctors to ambulance control, a satellite navigation system, bluetooth and a hands-free set.

The hi-tech vehicle is used in partnership with ambulances and enables volunteer doctors to provide life-saving, hospital-level treatment at the scene of major incidents. But it doesn't receive a penny from the government.

'In Hampshire it's a total lottery whether or not you get a Basics doctor at the scene of a major incident,' said Dr Hyde. 'If you are so seriously injured you need a Basics doctor it's left to goodwill and luck.

'Our future is not in continuing to be a charity. We want the public to demand that this service is funded by the government.

'Other emergency services are state- provided and we are trying to cause change by continuing to provide this service and showing just how much it is needed.'