Nuneaton volunteer group’s charity support reaches over £22,000

A Nuneaton volunteer group have raised over £22,000 to support the lifesaving missions of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA), which celebrates 20 years of service.

The ladies volunteer group, which include members Carole Bradford, Glynis Bray, Diana Lyne, Margaret Eells, Jayne Cossey and Ann Blackman, have been raising funds for the vital charity since September 2020 – an amazing feat to have raised such a huge amount of funds in a short space of time.

The dedicated group raised most of the funds by knitting and selling a variety of novelty characters and items – including hats to cover a Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Paddington Bear, the late Queen, Christmas Tree decorations, Easter chicks including a chocolate egg inside– helping to keep the lifesaving service operating.

The ladies didn’t stop there, they also organised tombolas, raffles and car boot sales throughout the year, as well as selling clothing donated to them. They’ve even managed to raise almost £1,600 by selling plants that they have purchased and re-potted – all to keep WNAA’s lifesaving missions possible.

Carole Bradford, who currently runs the ladies volunteer group, said:

“We are so proud of the funds we have managed to raise to support this worthy charity in such a short space of time. This really is a testament to how important its lifesaving service is to everyone in the local community – you never know when you might need it.”

“We will continue to raise funds to support the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance during 2023, as every penny raised helps the chairty continue saving lives,” she added.

The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance crew deliver critical care 24/7, 365 days a year at road traffic collisions, sports and leisure events, medical emergencies – such as cardiac arrest and accidents at home – and other incidents needing expert pre-hospital medical interventions.

Support from the local community is paramount as the charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on public donations to raise the £1,700 needed for each mission.

“The group’s support is really wonderful, Carole always calls when they’ve raised enough for a mission, which we appreciate so much,” expressed George May, Community Fundraising Executive for the charity.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to Carole and all the ladies involved in the volunteer group for their incredible donation. Without support like this from the local community our crews wouldn’t be able to continue their vital missions in Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and further afield,” he added.

The charity is celebrating 20 years of providing its lifesaving service across Warwickshire and Northamptonshire in 2023. To help the charity mark this momentous milestone and support it so that its lifesaving missions can continue, why not visit a charity store and grab a bargain, donate preloved items, host a clothing bank, get involved in a challenge event, fundraise, make a one-off donation, or even sign up as a volunteer.

To find out more, or to support the charity, please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.