Supporting the Midlands Air Ambulance

Every year, staff make suggestions of a charity for Cotswold Conference Centre and our sister company, Farncombe Estate leisure courses, to support. We take a vote and the result is our Charity of the Year.

The charity chosen for 2012 is the Midlands Air Ambulance. This is one of the longest-established and busiest air ambulance organisations in the country – and covers the largest region, reacting to medical emergencies throughout Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Since 1991, the charity has conducted more than 34,000 missions, averaging 3,000 a year. Three helicopters carry full life-support medical equipment and are manned by a pilot and two paramedics or flight doctors. It takes £6m a year to keep the Air Ambulances operational, but the Midlands Air Ambulance receives no Government or National Lottery funding, relying entirely on public and corporate donations.

Air ambulance teams play a vital role in rural areas. If a patient reaches hospital within 60 minutes of injury (referred to as the ‘Golden Hour’) their chances of survival are dramatically increased. By flying out of strategic regional air bases, the Midlands Air Ambulance offers a maximum flying time to hospital of less than 15 minutes.

Our fundraising efforts

Last year, we held a Charity Team Challenge and raised more than £7,000 for Noah’s Ark, an Evesham-based charity supporting bereaved children and their families. Unfortunately, having completed many worthwhile projects over the year, Noah’s Ark was forced to close towards the end of 2011. It is a sad fact that local charities are in greater need of our support than ever before.

We are still planning fundraising events for this year and you will be able to read all about them here. You will also be able to see the total of funds raised so far.

Running total: £1562.00

Press Release: All in a good cause 2011