Residents of Sarum Avenue have presented a £16,000 cheque to the Bath and Wiltshire Air Ambulance, following their successful Christmas lights fundraiser.
The presentation took place during a special visit to the air ambulance base, where residents were able to witness first-hand the vital work the service does.
Shortly after the cheque was handed over, the alarm went off and the helicopter was called out to an emergency. Residents, including children, had the opportunity to watch the helicopter take off and track its progress on the ops room monitors—seeing their fundraising efforts put to work in real time.
The £16,000 was raised through donations collected during a Christmas lights display on Sarum Avenue in December. With 22 houses participating, the event brought together the community, who decorated their homes to create a festive display that attracted visitors from Melksham and beyond.
Kelvin Cantello, a member of the Sarum Avenue Christmas Lights group, explained, “Several of our families have directly benefited from the air ambulance. My youngest son had a heart attack, and Terry’s mother was one of the first people in the county to be flown by it 30 years ago. When I spoke to people collecting donations, many shared their own experiences with the helicopter.”
Young resident George Jones, who was at the cheque presentation in Semington said, “It was great to raise money because we could help people that needed it. It was really fun seeing the helicopter today and seeing it take off.”
The £16,000 raised will support the air ambulance’s ongoing operations, which provide essential life-saving services across Wiltshire and Bath.
Cas Loudon, senior community engagement and volunteer manager at Bath and Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said, “It’s fantastic that Sarum Avenue Lights group has donated such a huge sum of money. We rely on donations to keep running 19 hours a day, seven days a week, and without them, we couldn’t survive. Anyone who wants to donate or has a fundraising idea, please do get in touch. We appreciate all the support we receive.”
