Community’s baking and pedalling efforts aid Wiltshire Air Ambulance

SUPPORTERS of Wiltshire Air Ambulance baked cakes and cycled through the countryside to raise funds to keep the charity’s helicopter flying and saving lives.

The fun and challenging fundraising event took place during National Air Ambulance Week. Dozens of individuals, nurseries, schools and businesses got involved in Bake Off for Lift Off, the charity’s theme for Air Ambulance Week, by holding cake sales and picnics.

The charity also had bucket collections all over the county and held its own Great Big Teddy Bears’ Picnic on The Green, Devizes, on Sunday 17th September with the charity’s paramedic bear mascot, Wilber.

Rounding off Air Ambulance Week was the Wiltshire Big Wheel cycle ride, which also took place on the Sunday. Starting and finishing at The Green in Devizes, people cycled 12, 45 or 100 miles.

Among those taking part was Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity ambassador Lauren Booth, a champion para-cyclist of Chippenham.

A number of Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity team staff and aircrew also tackled the ride as did supporter John Phillips who completed the 12-mile route in memory of his daughter Michelle Phillips, who died in a car accident in Devon 13 years ago. He cycled on the mountain bike that Michelle used.

John said, “It’s the first time I have taken part in the Wiltshire Big Wheel and I enjoyed it. Michelle loved Wiltshire Air Ambulance and over the years my wife, Sandra, and I have raised over £15,400 for the charity in Michelle’s memory. You never know when you might need the services of Wiltshire Air Ambulance.”

Kenresa Stratford, fundraising & events co-ordinator at Wiltshire Air Ambulance said, “This has been a truly memorable Air Ambulance Week for us. Bake Off for Lift Off has proved very popular and people have been busy in their kitchens baking cakes and holding cake sales. Our Great Big Teddy Bears’ Picnic was a great success and we’d like to thank Haydens Bakery, based in Devizes, for sponsoring it.

“As well as enjoying lots of cake, our supporters also got on their bikes to take part in the Wiltshire Big Wheel cycle ride. We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the Wiltshire Big Wheel and Bake Off for Lift Off and raised funds for us. Their superb efforts will help us to keep flying and saving lives.”