Sanctuary shows ‘flying’ support for Air Ambulance

Published by Gareth Holmes for Sanctuary Housing Association in Housing and also in Communities

Worcester-based staff from Sanctuary Group will be reaching new heights over the coming year to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Employees from the leading UK housing and care provider have opted to support the Air Ambulance as the Group’s ‘Charity of the Year’.

The charity will now benefit from a series of donations from Sanctuary, raised through a range of fundraising activities including a Wimbledon-themed afternoon tea party, go-karting event and dress down days.

To celebrate the launch of the exciting partnership staff were given the opportunity to experience sitting in a helicopter when the Air Ambulance pod visited the Group’s office on Castle Street this week.

Crew members were also on hand to speak to Sanctuary staff about their work for the charity.

Colin Apps, HEMS Paramedic for the Midlands Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to thank Sanctuary for choosing the Midlands Air Ambulance as their charity of the year. Being completely funded by the public and local businesses we are very grateful, as the money they raise will help keep us flying and save lives.”

David Bennett, Sanctuary’s Group Chief Executive, commented: “The Air Ambulance provides a vital life-saving service in communities across the Midlands and I am delighted staff have chosen to show their support for this worthwhile cause.

“I am sure many of our people know someone who has been helped by the charity and everyone will embrace the opportunity to raise significant funds  which will go a long way to help save more lives.”

The Midlands Air Ambulance is the only charity responsible for funding and operating three Air Ambulances serving the communities of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

Now in its 21^st year, the charity, funded solely by donations, has responded to more than 34,000 missions and is one of the longest established Air Ambulance organisations in the UK.