BUSINESSES have pledged their support for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s major fundraising appeal for its new airbase at Semington, near Melksham, by joining The 100 Club.

Businesses from across the county have signed up to the charity and were at the official launch on Friday (10 March 2017) at Hartham Park, Corsham.

Each business that joins The 100 Club pledges to raise £10,000 for the Airbase Appeal. The appeal is raising the remaining £1.25 million to complete the building and equip the new airbase.

Among the new 100 Club members is The Consortium, the Trowbridge-based education and care company.

Cathryn Petchey, HR director, said: “We have been fundraising for Wiltshire Air Ambulance for several years – it’s a very popular charity with our staff. Everyone realises that they, or a loved one, could need the services of Wiltshire Air Ambulance at any time. We’re so pleased to be a member of The 100 Club to raise funds for the new airbase that will be purpose-built and enable Wiltshire Air Ambulance to continue to deliver its lifesaving service.”

Another new member is Lowden Garden Centre at Shaw, owned by Jonathan and Alison Sinclair.

Christopher Scott-Moody, events organiser, said: “We are delighted to be on board. Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a very worthwhile charity and my family have had cause to use it. We are planning a dinner and auction on July 1 and a Christmas bazaar as part of our fundraising.”

The founding members of The 100 Club are Kingstons Estate Agents, Hartham Park, Excalibur, Coombe Castle and Goughs Solicitors.

Baroness Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, spoke at the launch and urged businesses to get on board.

She said: “The 100 Club campaign is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to not only support such a valuable community service as the air ambulance, but also to help raise their own profile and give their own business a boost. Your support will be directly helping save peoples’ lives and we really can’t put a price on that.”

More than 60 people attended the launch, hearing from patients and their families who had benefitted from Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s paramedics and the speed of the charity’s state-of-the-art Bell 429 helicopter.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance flew in and landed at the launch; guests were given tours and paramedics gave demonstrations of their equipment.

Cheryl Johnson, head of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Airbase Appeal, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who attended the launch and all the businesses who have become members. By joining The 100 Club, businesses will be playing a big part in helping us to create a legacy for Wiltshire, with a custom-built airbase that will enable us to save lives for many years to come.”

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a 100 Club member go to https://wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk/support-our-appeal/100club/ or email 100club@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk