Wiltshire Air Ambulance is marking National Volunteers' Week with an appeal for more helpers.
Pilot Nicky Smith, centre, with volunteers Ian and Lorna Best
The charity is inviting potential volunteers to inquire about fundraising events, giving talks, helping with tin collections and other tasks.
Last year all such events were postponed due to the pandemic, meaning a drop of around £500,000 in fundraising income.
With restrictions beginning to lift, a brighter summer awaits with lots of events planned.
One of the charity’s volunteers, Ian Best from Minety, says it is one of the best things he ever decided to do.
Mr Best, 69, said: “Retirement in 2013 left a big hole so volunteering was an obvious way to do something useful and keep active.
“I do whatever needs doing, really, including attending events, bucket collections, cheque presentations and collection tin distributions. I’ve even done some gardening at the airbase.
“One of the things I am continually amazed and humbled by is incredible support of the people of Wiltshire and Bath; their generosity and support makes the role of the volunteer a real pleasure.”
Mr Best volunteers alongside his wife, Lorna, who also supports the charity’s Emergency Awareness Training programme which teaches primary and secondary aged children basic lifesaving skills.
He added: “At one event a young lady came up to me with tears in her eyes and said, ‘Thank you, if it wasn’t for Wiltshire Air Ambulance my brother would have died.'
“That didn’t just underline for me what an important job the charity does in saving lives, but it also helped me to realise that it isn’t just the patients that are saved but also the families and friends whose lives are affected as well.”
Wiltshire Air Ambulance is looking for volunteers across the county.
WAA community relationship and volunteer manager Cas Loudon said: “We’re very grateful to the dedicated group of volunteers we already have, who are all very excited to be heading back out to events in the months ahead."
More information can be found at www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk/volunteer
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