Charity supporters enjoy a brew with air ambulance crew

VISITORS to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) airbase in Semington were able to enjoy afternoon tea with the charity’s pilots, critical care paramedics and doctors at this year’s Brew with the Crew event.

“Our Brew with the Crew event proved a massive success, with a sell-out number of visitors in attendance to celebrate Air Ambulance Week 2023,” said WAA senior community engagement manager Cas Loudon.

“There was also the opportunity to purchase merchandise and find out about supporting Wiltshire Air Ambulance through its Gifts in Wills programme. The event raised over £1,400 for the charity.”

Brew with the Crew was one of many events organised by the lifesaving charity to mark Air Ambulance Week 2023, which ran from 4th to 10th September.

“The week began with a book reading on Monday; on Tuesday and Thursday the charity ran guided tours of the airbase, which were extremely popular and sold out,” added Cas. “Then on Friday the charity held a first-ever Market Day, featuring specially invited local sellers.

“In addition, charity volunteers were present at a variety of locations across the county: at Melksham Market Place, Waitrose in Salisbury, Marlborough Market, Bradford-on-Avon Market, Goatfest in Calne, Uniform Services Day in Trowbridge and Corsham Street Fair.”

Melksham Town Council also supported the special week by lighting up Melksham Town Hall in Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s yellow and green colours in honour of the charity.

“The Brew with the Crew event is fast becoming the highlight of Air Ambulance Week,” said Cas. “This was our third one and it has sold out every time. It was lovely seeing so many smiling faces and everyone enjoyed engaging with our aircrew in person.

“It has been fantastic to see how much the whole county has got involved in Air Ambulance Week 2023, both here at our airbase or out and about in the community and we can’t thank everyone enough for their ongoing support.”

Air Ambulance Week is a national campaign to highlight the importance of the 21 air ambulances operating across the UK.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance provides helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) across Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas. It costs £4 million to operate the service, which receives no regular direct Government funding or National Lottery grants.

Find out more by visiting, www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk.