An actuator assist apparatus for use with an actuator has a housing and a piston member slidably disposed in the housing. The piston member divides the interior of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The actuator assist apparatus is configurable between a first, primed, configuration and an activated configuration. A force applicator is configured to store energy when the apparatus is in the primed configuration and release the energy to move the piston member relative to the housing. Movement of the piston member applies a force which assists in urging the actuator towards an extended configuration, thereby reducing the minimum operating pressure of the actuator.