A FUN dog show organiser has become a member of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance ‘ground crew’ after raising £905 for the charity.

Anne Hooper presented a bumper cheque to the WAA after raising the funds from a fun dog show at the Merkins Farm Cafe in Bradford Leigh in August.

Being a ground crew member means she will help raise awareness of the charity and volunteer to help with fundraising events.

Ms Hooper said: “This year was the second year that I have put on a dog show in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

“Despite the exceptionally hot day we were very encouraged by how many dogs and their owners came to support us.

“This year’s best in show was Mrs Weddell from Bristol Flat Coat Retriever Harry, a worthy winner!”

The total raised this year was £905, a dramatic improvement on last year’s total of £710.

She added: “I had a riding accident when I was younger that resulted in me being in a coma for eight weeks and I spent 12 weeks on life support.

“At that time there was no air ambulance to help but since I first learned of the great work that they do, I have been a huge supporter of this service that is funded entirely by fundraising effort and has been a lifesaver for so many people.”The kindness of Jon and Hayley Painter of Merkin’s Farm Café, who have hosted the dog show for the past two years, has been greatly appreciated.

“For 2019, Gompels of Melksham, will be sponsoring the newly-named Gompels Dog Show. The new venue will be the Springfield Recreation Field in Corsham on Saturday, August 3.”

Cas Loudon, of the WAA, said: “We are so grateful to Anne for choosing Wiltshire Air Ambulance to benefit from her Charity Dog Show.

“This is the second year that Anne has supported us; her aim this year was to exceed the amount she raised last year – she definitely did that!

“The funds she has raised will help to keep our lifesaving service operational. “We are very pleased to have Anne volunteering with us and are really looking forward to her being a member of our ground crew.”