Wiltshire Air Ambulance found great success in their fundraising efforts the past year. This success has received recognition in the form of a national award nomination. The air ambulance service is in line to win a national fundraising award from the Institute of Fundraising. The winner will be announced on November 29.
Operational Changes and Fundraising Efforts for the Air Ambulance Service
In 2015, Wiltshire Air Ambulance saw fundamental changes in their operations. While they previously shared one aircraft with Wiltshire Police, they received a new helicopter for a stand-alone air ambulance. So their operational costs went up to from £700,000 to £2.5 million per year.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance also celebrated its silver jubilee the same year and did so with several fundraising events. Through these fundraising efforts, the air ambulance service was able to raise £3.06 million and surpassed its target for the year. Other changes for WAA included carrying blood on board, which enabled its crew to carry out critical blood transfusions for patients.
Successful Fundraising and Standing in Line for a National Award
Wiltshire Air Ambulance is currently in line to win an award under the fundraising charity of the year (small) category. Rebecca de la Bedoyere, the charity’s fundraising manager, has expressed their excitement to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. The charity is one of four charities in the country that have been shortlisted for this award.
Earlier this year, Wiltshire Air Ambulance also won an award for lottery operator of the year, given out at the Lotteries Council Awards 2016. The charity has received immense support from Wiltshire residents and the neighboring counties. Bedoyere thanks all their supporters, as they are the ones helping them stay operational and saving the lives of critically ill and injured people in the region.
