Wiltshire Air Ambulance is inviting runners to help celebrate its 30th anniversary on the same day as next year's Bath Half Marathon

The charity has been involved with the Bath Half Marathon for a number of years and is delighted the event coincides with the start of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s 30th year celebrations.

It was on March 15 1990 that Wiltshire Air Ambulance began operating by sharing a helicopter full-time with Wiltshire Police.

The charity became a stand-alone air ambulance in 2015 and moved to its new airbase in Semington in May 2018.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance relies on donations, as it is not funded directly by the Government and receives no National Lottery grants.

It costs £3.75 million a year to keep the lifesaving service operational – that’s just over £10,000 per day.

Events such as the Bath Half Marathon are key to the charity’s fundraising, providing in excess of £110,000 in the past five years.

If you want to take part in the 2020 Bath Half Marathon, on Sunday, March 15, and join Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s 30th birthday celebrations, you should sign up before August 31 to receive an early bird discount of 10 per cent against the full sign up price.

That’s just £30 to sign up, with a fundraising target of £200 per person.

Kenresa Stratford, events co-ordinator for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: "The Bath Half Marathon is always a popular event in our calendar and it’s extra special in 2020 given that it falls on the day of our 30th birthday.

“We’ll have plenty planned to celebrate the occasion and we’re hoping to have a bumper number of runners on the start line donning the yellow and green of our charity.

"You never know when you could need Wiltshire Air Ambulance, so if you’ve already booked your own place in the race, please consider raising funds for the charity. You really can make a difference and help save lives."

To sign up, visit : https://www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk/events/waa-events/2020-bath-half-marathon/ or email kenresa@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk