TODAY Wiltshire Air Ambulance launches its new fundraising appeal to raise the remaining £1.25 million needed to complete its new airbase in the county.

The Swindon Advertiser is backing the final push and is urging readers to support this vital charity that last year flew 81 missions in the Swindon area.

Full planning permission was granted for WAA's new operations centre last week on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, after outline permission was given in 2016.

The custom-built airbase will bring together the helicopter, aircrew and charity team onto one site in a central location in Wiltshire. Construction work is anticipated to start in the spring.

David Philpott, chief executive of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are delighted that our plans for our new airbase at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, have been granted by Wiltshire Council.

"Wiltshire Air Ambulance has saved countless lives in the 26 years it has been operating and our new airbase will allow us to save many more lives in years to come.

“The site at Outmarsh Farm is perfect as it will allow our state-of-the-art helicopter to reach all parts of Wiltshire within 11 minutes, as it currently does now from its base in Devizes.”

Cheryl Johnson, head of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Airbase Appeal, said the charity had already received funding for the new £5.1m airbase, including £2.5m pledged by a benefactor and £1m from the Government's Libor fund, levied against banks which fixed the trading Libor rate.

She said: “The response and support we have received towards our Airbase Appeal has been tremendous but we need to raise a total of £1.25m to make our airbase a reality.

"We hope individuals, community groups, schools and businesses will get onboard and enable us to secure the future of our lifesaving service.”

To donate to the Airbase Appeal and how to get involved go to www.wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk or email hello@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call the charity team on 01380 739453.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance's chief executive, David Philpott writes: "I HAVE the amazing privilege of leading Wiltshire Air Ambulance and I am constantly overwhelmed by the generosity of people.

The support we receive can range from a child donating a few pence of their pocket money to a legacy of several hundred thousand pounds.
It doesn’t matter how much people donate – we value every donation because it really makes a difference and enables us to keep flying and saving lives, as we have done for the past 26 years.

As well as the considerable challenge of raising £3.25 million each year to keep our lifesaving service operating, we now embark on a really exciting time as we launch our Capital Appeal to raise the remaining £1.25 million needed to build and equip our new airbase at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham.

The custom-built airbase will bring together our helicopter, aircrew and charity team under one roof and improve the service we offer.

Most importantly, its central location will enable our helicopter to reach all parts of Wiltshire within 11 minutes, as it currently does from its base in Devizes.

There are lots of ways to get involved. Please have a look at our website – www.wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk – or call the charity team on 01380 739453.

This is such an important year for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and with your help we can secure its future by raising the remaining funds we need for our - the county’s - new airbase."

How you can help

PLEASE get on board the Airbase Appeal to raise the funds needed to complete Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new airbase at Semington. This will secure the future of the vital service for years to come.

To organise your own fundraising event contact WAA on 01380 739453 or email hello@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk

To make a donation go to wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk/swindon-advertiser/ or by post to FREEPOST, WILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE.

The Airbase Appeal will raise the funds needed to complete building, fitting out and equipping of the new airbase. If, for any unforeseen reason, there are surplus funds these donations will be used to fund ongoing operations.