Local lifesaving organisation Midlands Air Ambulance Charity provides vital pre-hospital emergency care and treatment for some of the most seriously ill and injured patients across Gloucestershire.
As the charity receives no funding from the government for its air ambulance missions – costing an average of £2,950 each – it relies entirely on the support and generosity of local people, organisations and businesses to keep its services going.
SoGlos has rounded up a list of ways to help the charity raise vital funds so it can continue to save lives for years to come.
Make a donation
The charity has made it easy for people to make one-off or monthly donations to support its work through its website at midlandsairambulance.com/donatenow or by calling 0800 8 40 20 40.
Donors are also encouraged to declare that they are eligible for Gift Aid, which allows the charity to claim an additional 25 per cent on top of their donation from the government, without any further cost to them.
There's also an option for putting your loose change or leftover holiday cash towards a good cause by dropping it in to its Gloucester shop through its Cash4Coins initiative.
Support its fundraising events
The charity organises a range of events throughout the year to raise vital funds and awareness of its services. There are activities for everyone in the calendar, from the social — including its annual Recognition Awards and Charity Ball — to the more adventurous, with a motorbike ride out or skydive.
The charity’s Hunter Chase horse racing event is back for a third year to round off the 2023/24 season at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 3 May 2024, while its popular Bike4Life ride out and motorbike festival takes place in Shropshire on Wednesday 28 April 2024.
Tickets to the Hunter Chase Race Night cost £115 per person. To book a table, contact Wiktoria Jaworska at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity via email on wiktoria.jaworska@midlandsairambulance.com.
Join the Lifesaving Lottery
People can also donate by joining the charity’s Lifesaving Lottery for just a £1 per play. Players can sign up on a monthly, bi-monthly, bi-annual or annual basis for the chance to win a top prize of £1,000 every week, with four prizes of £25 also given. The lottery can be played online or over the phone.
Volunteer with the charity
There are plenty of ways that people can volunteer their time to help the charity raise funds, from assisting at events to working in one of its charity shops.
Opportunities range from 'micro volunteering' for those who can spare even a few hours of their time to more in-depth roles which include giving talks, cheque presentations and helping out at HQ.
People can also offer their skills to help the charity through their employers as part of its corporate volunteering initiative.
Pop in to its Gloucester shop
One of nine Midlands Air Ambulance Charity shops located in its operating patch, the charity's Gloucester shop in Eastgate Shopping Centre sells a range of quality second-hand goods with the team always grateful for new donations of pre-loved items like furniture, electricals, books and clothing.
Supporters can also grab a range of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity merchandise from its charity shops or online. There is stationery and branded clothing available as well as gifts for children — including some cool helicopter socks and Lego medic figurines.
Community fundraising
Organising an event for your local community or school such as a fete, family fun day or pub quiz is a great way to raise money and awareness for the charity. Dedicated fundraising executive for Gloucestershire, Nicole Beebee, is on hand to support fundraisers — including organisations like Rotary Clubs or Women's Institutes — with the planning of their event.
Email nicole.beebee@midlandsairambulance.com or call 0800 8 40 20 40 to discuss how you can get involved in community fundraising.
Nicole also provides free CPR and bleed control sessions to schools, colleges and other educational institutions to help people provide bystander support should they need to.
Use the charity's Free Will Writing Service
The Midland's Air Ambulance Charity is now offering a Free Will Writing Service in partnership with solicitors from across the region, including Waldrons which has a branch in Cheltenham.
The scheme sees the charity pay a nominal fee to solicitors for their Will writing services as a way of giving back to their supporters, who then have the option to leave a gift to the charity in their Will.
For more information about how you can support the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, go to midlandsairambulance.com/support-us.
