Wiltshire Air Ambulance fund raising
We are honoured and privileged to support Wiltshire Air Ambulance with our fundraising activities. Planning is already well underway for our annual Charity Golf Day 2019 which has become a highlight in the events calendar. This year it will be held on Friday 6th September at Cumberwell Park Golf Club. If you would like further information please contact amundell@coombecastle.com
At the end of 2016, Coombe Castle were contacted by Wiltshire Air Ambulance and asked if we would become a 100 Club member and pledge to raise £10,000 towards the Airbase Appeal. We had supported Wiltshire Air Ambulance for a number of years, on an adhoc basis, but thought the appeal would be a great team challenge, so signed up.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance provide an essential Helicopter Emergency Medical Service throughout the county and beyond. The crew works alongside the South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust land crews, and other emergency services, to deliver the best medical care possible to anybody who lives, works or travels in Wiltshire.
The air ambulance can scramble in just two minutes and reach anywhere in Wiltshire within nine minutes. The speed of their helicopter, along with the skill of the crew, can make the difference between life and death.
Wiltshire air ambulance fly up to 19 hours a day and attend, on average, 3 potentially lifesaving missions in that time. They are called to all kinds of emergencies, from road traffic collisions to cardiac incidents, child-related emergencies, to horse riding and cycling injuries.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance had been renting premises in two locations, Devizes and Calne, they wanted to create a custom built new home for their helicopter, their specialist aircrew and, charity team. They found a perfect location at Outmarsh Farm, Semington near Melksham.
A massive £5.1m was needed to build the new airbase and equip it to the latest standards. Thanks to an incredibly generous donation, from a long-standing supporter, they were most of the way to reaching their total but needed to raise a final £1.25m to complete the build and fit it out with medical and helicopter equipment, fixtures and fittings. This is on top of the £3.25m needed every year to keep the ambulance flying.
In early 2017 our fundraising activities began, here are a few of the highlights….
Rob Dallimore completed Bath half marathon March £125 Richard Green had a ‘Manzillian’ wax April £1,292 Through the year our Tuck Shop raised £600 Team of 12 Bradford on Avon to Devizes Walk May raised £1,214 Breakfast Lunch & Bake Off at Head Office £265 Charity Golf Day, Cumberwell Golf Club September £1,800
2017 Fundraising Total was £12,088.07
We would like to say a very big THANK YOU to everyone who continues to support our fundraising activity for this invaluable charity.
The new Airbase is now complete. It is a truly amazing facility and we feel very proud to have played a small part in this project. We are committed to helping Wiltshire Air Ambulance to keep raising the funds they need to provide their life-saving service.
