Help to build a better future for Wiltshire Air Ambulance

WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance is calling on people to support its major new fundraising appeal to complete the building and equipping of its new airbase.

The charity was granted full planning permission for its new Operations Centre on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, on 12 January and today (Thursday 19 January) launches its Airbase Appeal to raise the remaining £1.25 million needed.

The custom-built airbase will bring together the helicopter, aircrew and charity team onto one site in a central location in Wiltshire. Construction work is anticipated to start in Spring 2017.

David Philpott, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are delighted that our plans for our new airbase at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, have been granted by Wiltshire Council. Wiltshire Air Ambulance has saved countless lives in the 26 years it has been operating and our new airbase will allow us to save many more lives in years to come.

“The site at Outmarsh Farm is perfect as it will allow our state-of-the-art helicopter to reach all parts of Wiltshire within 11 minutes, as it currently does now from its base in Devizes.”

Semington resident Peter Vooght, 71, who was airlifted by Wiltshire Air Ambulance when he suffered a life-threatening episode of sleep apnoea in March 2016, backed the new airbase.

Mr Vooght said: “I owe my life to Wiltshire Air Ambulance. I was in favour of the air ambulance moving to Semington from the start. Being in Semington means it will be ideally situated in the centre of the county, because you never know when you might need it.”

Horse rider Suzanna Hext, 28, who was airlifted by Wiltshire Air Ambulance following a fall at Marston Meysey, near Cricklade, in July 2012 and suffered life-changing injuries, also backed the new airbase.

Suzanna, who lives near Sherston, is a volunteer with Wiltshire Air Ambulance and now competes at an advanced level in para and able-bodied dressage competitions, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a vital service that we couldn’t do without, especially in rural locations such as where I had my horse riding accident. If they hadn’t got me to hospital quickly, the outcome could have been different.”

Cheryl Johnson, Head of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Airbase Appeal, said the charity had already received funding for the new £5.1 million airbase, including £2.5 million pledged by a benefactor and £1 million from the LIBOR fund.

She said: “The response and support we have received towards our Airbase Appeal has been tremendous but we need to raise a total of £1.25 million to make our airbase a reality. We hope individuals, community groups, schools and businesses will get onboard and enable us to secure the future of our lifesaving service.”

To donate to the Airbase Appeal and find out how to get involved go to www.wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk or email [email protected] or call the charity team on 01380 739453.

• Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been saving lives for 26 years. It is available up to 19 hours a day, 365 days a year. It costs £3.25 million a year to keep the air ambulance flying, that’s £8,904 per day.

• The charity’s custom-built airbase will be on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, and will house the helicopter, aircrew and charity team.

• This central site will enable the charity’s helicopter to reach all parts of Wiltshire within 11 minutes.

• The charity’s Airbase Appeal is to raise £1.25 million to complete the building and fit it out with medical and helicopter equipment, fixtures and fittings. For more information on how to donate and get involved go to www.wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk

• This capital appeal is to raise the funds needed to fit out and equip our new operations centre to the latest standards. If, for any unforeseen reason, there are surplus funds, we will use these donations to fund the ongoing operation of our lifesaving service.