Warwickshire company raises vital funds for local lifesaving charity

The Millboard Company has dedicated its time throughout the ongoing pandemic to raise lifesaving funds for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA).

The Coventry-based flooring and decking specialists – who are located just 5 miles from the WNAA airbase in Baginton – wanted to raise vital funds for a local charity, during one of the most difficult climates, and seeing the iconic yellow and grey helicopter often flying overhead, they chose to support the local lifesaving WNAA.

“During the pandemic, most of our staff were working from home. However, a few of us came together with an idea to start fundraising. The local air ambulance charity came to mind immediately as they’re so close to our head office and manufacturing facility with many of us already aware of its importance and how it saves lives in critical circumstances,” explained Jade Walsh, Commercial Projects & Technical Consultant at Millboard.

The dedicated team then set out with the goal of walking a combined 3,000 miles over a six-week period with an initial fundraising target of £1,000.

“Doing this challenge during lockdown really brought back a sense of teamwork after working from home for so long, and it became evident very quickly that we were going to exceed our goal. We managed to accomplish over 3,200 miles and raised a significant amount for such a worthy cause,” added Jade.

The team walked in various locations across the country including Nuneaton, Norfolk, Milton Keynes, Coventry, Landkidden, Rugby, and Henley-on-Thames, and they smashed their target raising £4,745 – the cost of two potentially lifesaving missions.

Community Fundraising Executive for WNAA, Lee Bunting said, “With the country in a state of lockdown and limited options available to them, for the Millboard team to come up with the idea of walking 3,000 miles for charity was brilliant for a number of reasons.

“Firstly, it allowed them to fundraise for our lifesaving charity who, like many others, is going through a very difficult financial period, and it also ensured that the team were getting regular exercise, creating a positive effect on their mental health and wellbeing.”

The team quadrupled their initial target which is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the charity which provides pre-hospital critical care to those in their hour of need.

Each mission the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance undertakes costs 1,700. This donation from the Millboard Company will help to ensure the charity can continue to save lives across the county and further afield.

“Thank you to all at the Millboard Company and everyone who has supported them,” added Lee.

The Millboard team are already looking at what fundraising they can do in the future, with one of the charity’s Earth, Wind, and Fire challenge events a strong possibility.