Midlands Air Ambulance in search for thousands of new cash donors for landmark anniversaryBy Brett GibbonsAug 24 2011 inShareShare
A LEADING West Midlands charity wants to recruit 21,000 new cash donors to coincide with its 21st birthday celebrations.
The Brierley Hill-based Midlands Air Ambulance 21K at 21 Appeal is looking for contributors to make regular money awards to them to help fund their three vehicles that operate across the region.They hope the benefactors will be found in time for the charity’s 21st anniversary on May 21 next year.
Charity director Hanna Sebright said: “We know that the public really value the service and will support us as we look to sign up 21,000 regular donors in time for our 21st anniversary year.
“Regular giving – at just £5 a month – from our target of new donors would be a significant contribution towards the £6 million a year we need to run one of the country’s busiest air ambulance services.”
Fundraiser Jeanette Hart, of Kingstanding, was awarded an MBE earlier this year for her efforts collecting cash for the air ambulance.She has been raising funds on the streets of Kingstanding and Erdington every week for several years and has raised over £30,000 for the charity.
She said: “People are always so friendly and generous when they discover I’m raising funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance.
“Everyone always has something good to say about the service and how it has helped their friend, family or neighbour.”
Another Birmingham fundraiser, Chris Hawker of Erdington, was one of the earliest beneficiaries of the air ambulance in 1995.
He was involved in a life-threatening accident on his way to work and the ambulance helped get him to hospital for treatment promptly.
He said: “The Midlands Air Ambulance saves lives, just as it saved mine.“My injuries have at times been hard to get used to, but they could have been worse, so I’ll be forever grateful to the paramedics and doctors who made sure I’m still here today.”
Anyone wishing to become a regular donor to the 21k at 21 appeal should contact the charity on 0800 840 2040 or visit the website www.midlandsairambulance.com