Inner Wheel donates to life-saving charity

Members of Horsham Inner Wheel visited the Redhill helicopter base of the Sussex Air Ambulance as they handed over a cheque for £2,200 to the life-saving charity.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jul 2014, 15:47 BST
Members of Horsham Inner Wheel pictured at the Air Ambulance base at Redhill. SUS-141007-145058001Members of Horsham Inner Wheel pictured at the Air Ambulance base at Redhill. SUS-141007-145058001
Members of Horsham Inner Wheel pictured at the Air Ambulance base at Redhill. SUS-141007-145058001

The group chose the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) as their Charity of the Year and raised the funds from coffee mornings, a garden party, and a Beetle drive and supper.

Each call-out of the air ambulance costs about £2,500 so the sum raised by Horsham Inner Wheel will help fund one potentially life-saving mission.

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On Monday, (July 7th), members visited the base at Redhill Aerodrome to present their cheque to the pilot, doctor and paramedic.

Inner Wheel President Margett McConnell said: “I think what they do is absolutely fantastic and it’s one of those worthwhile organisations that we hope we never have to use.

“As president, I chose the air ambulance because I wanted to raise funds for a local charity that was important to all of us.”

Horsham Inner Wheel was set up in 1947 as part of a worldwide organisation launched in 1924 for wives of Rotarians, but now has an open membership.

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The group previously supported Sussex Air Ambulance when it was based at Dunsfold Park near Horsham.

In 2012, the helicopter moved to its current base at Redhill so that the charity could provide a 24-hour service covering all counties.

The other helicopter is based at Marden in Kent and so far this year the crews have attended 1,225 call-outs. It costs £6million a year to keep both helicopters flying and the service relies almost entirely on public support.

Air Ambulance Director of Communications Jill Playle said: “I was delighted to meet Margett and her fellow members at the base. We are very grateful for their very generous support which really does make a difference to the charity.”

If you would like to make a donation to the Air Ambulance please call 01622 833833 or go to www.kssairambulance.org.uk

Report and picture contributed by Sussex Air Ambulance.