Throughout 2017, we are backing a campaign by Wiltshire Air Ambulance to raise the remaining £1.25m needed to complete its new airbase at Semington. Each week, we highlight one of the many reasons why the air ambulance is so crucial to the county.

BUSINESSES have pledged their support for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s major fundraising appeal for its new airbase by joining The 100 Club.

Firms from across the county have signed up to the charity’s 100 Club and were at the official launch on Friday at Hartham Park, Corsham.

Each business that joins pledges to raise £10,000 for the appeal for the new airbase at Semington, near Melksham.

The appeal is raising the remaining £1.25 million needed to completing the building and equip the new airbase.

Among the new 100 Club members is The Consortium, the education and care company based in Trowbridge.

Cathryn Petchey, HR director at The Consortium, said: “We have been fundraising for Wiltshire Air Ambulance for several years – it’s a very popular charity with our staff.

"We love supporting the charity because everyone realises that they, or their loved ones, could need the services of Wiltshire Air Ambulance at any time.

"We’re so pleased to be a member of The 100 Club to raise funds for the new airbase that will be purpose-built and enable Wiltshire Air Ambulance to continue to deliver its lifesaving service.”

Another new member is Lowden Garden Centre at Shaw, owned by Jonathan and Alison Sinclair.

Christopher Scott-Moody, events organiser at Lowden Garden Centre, said: “We are delighted to be on board The 100 Club.

"Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a very worthwhile charity and it is for anyone, my family have had cause to use it. We are planning a dinner and auction on 1st July and a Christmas bazaar as part of our fundraising.”

The founding members of The 100 Club are Kingstons Estate Agents, Hartham Park, Excalibur, Coombe Castle and Goughs Solicitors.

Baroness Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, spoke at the launch and urged businesses to get on board.

She said: “The 100 Club campaign is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to not only support such a valuable community service as the air ambulance, but also help raise their own profile and give their own business a boost.

"Your support will be directly helping save peoples’ lives and we really can’t put a price on that.”

More than 60 people attended the launch of The 100 Club and they heard from patients and their families who had benefitted from the critical care skills of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s paramedics and the speed of the charity’s state-of-the-art Bell 429 helicopter.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance flew in and landed at the launch and guests were given tours of it and its paramedics gave demonstrations of the medical equipment they use.

Cheryl Johnson, head of the air ambulance’s Airbase Appeal, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who attended the launch of The 100 Club and all the businesses who have become members.

"By joining The 100 Club, businesses will be playing a big part in helping us to create a legacy for Wiltshire, with a custom-built airbase that will enable us to save lives for many years to come.”

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a 100 Club member go to wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk/support-our-appeal/100club/ or email 100club@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk