Supporters take the plunge for Wiltshire Air Ambulance's new airbase

By Roger Ogle - 16 June 2017

CrimeCharity

A team of 15 people took to the skies and raised vital funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new airbase by completing a skydive.

They jumped in tandem with an experienced, professional skydiver from GoSkydive at Old Sarum airfield, Salisbury, on Sunday 4 June 2017.

Many of those who took part had never skydived before and bravely faced their fears jumping from 15,000 or 10,000 feet, knowing that the sponsorship they raised will help Wiltshire Air Ambulance complete its new airbase at Semington, near Melksham.

Jason Clifford jumped with his colleagues Toby Little and Gemma Willmore from Wiltshire Air Ambulance corporate supporters, The Consortium, based in Trowbridge. As a member of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s 100 Club The Consortium, a care and education company, have pledged to raise £10,000 for the charity’s Airbase Appeal.

Jason said: “I have a fear of flying but I so wanted to do the skydive. It was nothing like I have experienced before, you think it’s going to be more scary than it is. The freefall was unbelievable and I’m so glad I did it and it’s great that it helped such a fantastic cause.”

The skydive was also out of Kiri Fisher’s comfort zone. Kiri, of Semington, said: “I was scared on the morning of the skydive but as the day went on my nerves dropped  and I was calm in the plane as we made our way up to 15,000 feet.

“The skydive was fantastic and the views across the Salisbury area were great. I think it’s good for Semington that Wiltshire Air Ambulance is moving there. Wiltshire is a rural area and we need the air ambulance and it’s really important for the charity to have a purpose built airbase.”

Another jumper was Caroline Dawe, of Barford St Martin, near Salisbury, who had always wanted to do a skydive.

Caroline said: “I’m really glad I did it, it was amazing. When I heard the skydive was for Wiltshire Air Ambulance it made my mind up to do it. I think Wiltshire Air Ambulance is an amazing charity and I want to keep on supporting it.”

Other jumpers included Wiltshire Air Ambulance volunteers, Lisa Slater of Devizes and John Collins of Trowbridge, and charity team staff Louisa Perrett, Hollie Perryman and Kenresa Stratford.

So far the jumpers’ efforts have raised over £4,200 for the charity’s Airbase Appeal.

Kenresa Stratford, the charity’s Fundraising & Events Co-ordinator, said: “I am so proud of everyone who faced their fears and braved the jump to raise funds for our Airbase Appeal. I’m scared of heights and I’m not the best flier so it was a big step for me. There was a great camaraderie and everyone felt a sense of achievement once we made it to the ground.”

Construction work is underway on the new airbase and just under £1 million is still needed to be raised to complete the building and equipping of it before the aircrew, helicopter and charity team move in next year.

To donate to the Airbase Appeal and find out how to get involved go to www.wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk, text BASE17 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070, email [email protected] or call the charity team on 01380 739453.

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