Record £200k raised for Wiltshire charities at event

A record fundraising total of £200,000 was generated at the 2025 Middlewick House Open Garden event, to be split between The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust and Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity.

More than 15,000 people visited the stunning home of Nick and Annette Mason for the annual charity fundraiser over the weekend of 7-8 June.

The money generated from this year’s event is enough to keep Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance flying for an entire week and help fund an operator’s work in the community for The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust for an entire year.

Visitors to the picturesque surroundings were able to walk around the stunning walled garden, browse various stalls from local traders, as well as enjoying something to eat and drink from the BBQ and café.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick was on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures, as well as displaying his incredible collection of sports cars. Local car clubs bolstered the number of sports vehicles on site, including Jaguar, Lotus, Ferrari, and Porsche.

For the first time, Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity’s helicopter was operational from the site and was deployed to an emergency midway through the Saturday.

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance deputy chief executive Barbara Gray said: “This year’s Middlewick House Open Garden was the largest event of all time, with a record attendance and an incredible amount raised for the two charities.

“We want to thank everyone who attended and made the event such a huge fundraising success, as well as our amazing staff, volunteers, event partners, sponsors, and all the local traders.

“However, the biggest thank you must go to our ambassadors and hosts, Nick and Annette, for once again opening up their home to help raise vital funds for two essential local charities.”

Jennie Shaw, director of The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, said: “This is the perfect example of charities working in partnership to raise funds which directly benefit the local community.

“We are so thankful for the support of the residents in Pickwick and Middlewick Lane because without their understanding, this event would not happen. The same applies for Mr and Mrs Taylor, and Mr and Mrs Jones, who allowed us access to their land for this year’s event.

“Middlewick House Open Garden has been running since 2013 and gets bigger and bigger every year. We are already looking at the feedback from this year’s event to make further improvements in 2026.”

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity – currently in its 35th year of operation – provides vital critical medical care by land and air, across Wiltshire and Bath.

The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust was established in 1998 to work in partnership with Wiltshire Police to provide a home security service for elderly and vulnerable people throughout the county.