Local couple raise over £4,500 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance

A local couple have raised over £4,500 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) by completing a gruelling 301km bike ride around the boundary of Wiltshire.  

Nick and Gaynor Cole started the challenge at the WAA headquarters in Semington and then headed north towards Malmesbury and on to Avebury and Marlborough on the first day.  

On the second day, they headed south towards Andover and Salisbury before finally heading north again and returning to the airbase on day three. The ride included many climbs, especially on the second day, the total climbs were the equivalent of climbing three Snowdons. 

“We knew that our training for the ride would help us, but nothing really prepares you for three solid days in the saddle, with over eight hours each day,” says Nick.  

The couple trained for four months leading up to the start but said they had not trained in the heat, which they had to ‘battle with’ over the three days. “The heat and crosswinds added another dimension to the challenge, that is for sure,” explains Nick, who is an advocate for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and a member of their Business Club. He said he wanted to raise £4,500, which is the approximate cost of a single mission for the air ambulance.  

Gaynor, who works for Spa Medical Centre in Melksham and has been at the practice for over 23 years, said, “The air ambulance does such amazing work for those who live locally and in many cases, it is the difference between life and death. I hadn’t realised how remote parts of the county are and the air ambulance is a vital part of the emergency services.” 

The couple are now taking a well-earned break after their fundraising efforts. 

Corporate partnerships lead at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Naomi Barker said, “When Nick mentioned the challenge to us, we thought it was such a great idea and really highlighted how big the county is and would help educate people how much it costs to fund the air ambulance, which is a charity and receives no government funding. We are eternally grateful to Nick and Gaynor, for raising such a high figure and taking themselves out of their comfort zone.” 

Wiltshire Air Ambulance carries out its lifesaving work across Wiltshire and Bath, up to 19 hours a day, 365 days a year. It costs £4.5 million to keep the air ambulance flying.  For more information visit https://www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk.