BUSINESSES have been thanked for helping Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Airbase Appeal fly high thanks to their fundraising efforts.

Companies of all sizes have organised a variety of events, including sponsored walks, head shaves, cake sales, balls and auctions.

The money they have raised has gone towards the building and equipping of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new airbase at Semington. Work on the airbase is now in its final phase.

A number of businesses who joined Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s 100 Club came together at Hartham Park, Corsham, to celebrate their fundraising success.

Cheryl Johnson, head of business development and airbase appeal, at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “The response from Wiltshire’s business community to our airbase appeal has been invaluable. Businesses across the county helped raise £5,337 as part of our 500 Corporate Challenge and our 100 Club members are on target to raise over £140,000 between them.

“This is a significant contribution towards our airbase appeal fundraising and a tribute to the hard work and enthusiasm of Wiltshire businesses and their employees.

“A number of the companies want to continue fundraising for us and two new companies have joined the 100 Club. We’ve received great feedback and ideas from our 100 Club members so we can now develop this initiative to help us raise the £3.25 million we need every year to operate our lifesaving service.”

One of the 100 Club members was Kingstons estate agents, which has offices in Melksham, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon.

Ben Clinch, partner at Kingstons, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a charity operating close to all three of our offices. It provides essential services to our rural county and their support can be a matter of life or death for someone. We felt that we had a moral obligation to do our bit to support such a fantastic charity.

“Arranging our fundraising event helped to bring our customers and staff closer together. We raised over £20,000 which we are extremely proud of. If you are thinking of getting involved I would highly recommended it. It’s great to focus on helping other people, increasing your staff morale, getting to know your customers better and engaging with people in and around your local community.”

Another 100 Club member was Excalibur, a communications and IT business based in Swindon. James Phipps, executive chairman of Excalibur Group, said: “We are proud to have been a founding member of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance 100 Club. Our team completed a number of activities, events and challenges throughout the year to raise the £10,000 we committed.

“The air ambulance is a vital service that has touched many of our teams and their friends and families, and we know how much more the charity will be able to do within the new premises at Semington. As the air ambulance relies almost entirely on public donations, we felt it our responsibility to help in any way we could and look forward to supporting them in the future."