THE Wiltshire Air Ambulance Airbase Appeal is inching closer to its £1.25m target thanks to a £1,500 boost from an auction and music night in Trowbridge on Friday.

Singer Scott Welsby brought The Ultimate Garth Brooks experience to the town’s civic centre, performing the greatest hits of the country music icon, such as Baton Rouge, Mom and Thunder Rolls among others.

The 150-strong crowd were then treated to a charity auction, which went onto raised £665, with the star lot being a signed snooker cue that fetched £300 alone.

Trowbridge Mayor Deborah Halik said: “It was just a fabulous evening. There was a wonderful atmosphere and the whole thing was really well done. Mr Welsby, who has a lovely voice, really got the crowd going with his performance.

“Once that had died down, there was huge excitement over the auction, which had a good range of prizes on offer for people of all ages. I hope something like this happens again as it was a terrific event that brought the community together.

“I want to say thank you to the organiser Dean Czerwionka for making this all possible, as it was a real treat.

“I am so pleased that a really good amount has been raised from the night as Wiltshire Air Ambulance are a brilliant charity who do vital work. If we can help them get another step closer to their goal for the appeal, then that is superb. Hopefully they will hit the target soon.”

Mr Czerwionka was thrilled at how the event went and was full of praise to all those who made it possible.

Mr Czerwionka added: “It was a brilliant night that really could not have gone much better. To raise £1,500 for a wonderful cause is great news.

“Scott Welsby put on a spectacular show which involved every single member of the crowd young and old. Everyone was beaming on the way out as they realised they just witnessed someone that is hugely talented.

“As organiser I would like to thank the event sponsors CS Electrical of Chirton, without them the event would never of gone ahead.”

“I want to thank the Gazette again for all the help it gave in raising awareness of my charity concert.”

The 37-year-old is hoping to get the younger generation involved with country music and that might just get underway on Sunday as he has organised a the first fortnightly country music night at the Devizes Conservative Club starting on Sunday at 7.30pm.

“I am very excited about getting the younger generation involved in this. The reaction we had on the night from of the younger lot was very encouraging and hopefully that can continue,” he said.

To donate to the Airbase Appeal visit, which is costing £5.1m to fund, and find out how to get involved go to www.wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk

The country music evening is free for under 18s, £7 for adults.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/DevizesCMC