BUSINESSES play a key part in helping to keep Wiltshire Air Ambulance saving lives by fundraising.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a charity and relies on public donations, including from businesses, to raise the £3.75 million a year it needs to keep its lifesaving service operational.

The corporate fundraising team at Wiltshire Air Ambulance are Des Regan, key corporate account manager, and partnerships co-ordinator Valerie Whistler. Both fundraised for Wiltshire Air Ambulance before they joined the charity.

Valerie, a former primary school teacher in Swindon, took part in a 100km trek across the Sahara Desert in 2015 for the charity.

She said: “While I was doing the Sahara Trek Rebecca, from the Wiltshire Air Ambulance team who was with us, talked about the charity with such enthusiasm that I couldn’t help but wish to work with such an amazing group of people. “

Valerie joined the charity the following year and said working with businesses is extremely rewarding.

She said: “Supporting businesses who fundraise for the charity is fantastic. We all try to come up with the most unusual and interesting ideas, so I’ve been involved in everything from popping balloons for prizes and head shaves to running marathons and wing walking!

“I’m never entirely sure what I’m going to be doing from day to day but I’m continually delighted and surprised by the ingenuity and enthusiasm of the incredible people that I’m lucky enough to come into contact with.”

Meanwhile, Des, of Chippenham, joined the charity last year after 28 years working in leisure management in both the private and public sector. He fundraised for Wiltshire Air Ambulance when the company he previously worked for took part in a £50 challenge.

He said: “I’m really proud to work for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and meeting new people who genuinely want to support us. We have such a range of businesses from all over the county supporting our charity, from start-ups to large, well established companies. Every business is different and we make sure that they are all supported.

“Our corporate programme is inclusive for businesses of all sizes so if there are businesses who would like to come on board and support our lifesaving work please contact us.”

There are a variety of ways in which businesses can fundraise for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. These include organising their own events in the workplace, partnering on sponsorship opportunities, payroll giving for employees, gifts in kind or joining the charity’s fundraising and business networking group The 100 Club.

To get in touch with Des and Valerie email corporate@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call the charity office on 01225 300536.