Sheltered Schemes raise over £900 for Air Ambulance
08 June 2004

pictured in the centre row are; Julia White (Extra Care Scheme Manager, Common Road in Wincanton), Judy Carroll (Air Ambulance representative)

Two South Somerset Homes sheltered housing schemes have recently raised over £900 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Common Road Extra Care scheme in Wincanton and St Gildas Extra Care scheme in Chard raised the money by selling raffle tickets, playing whist and bingo and going round with donation boxes.

ST GILDAS, CHARD

Tenants from St Gildas Extra Care housing scheme in Chard have raised an amazing £712 for Air Ambulance through donations, by helping to make things to sell and from the fundraising events from the St Gildas Christmas light switch on in December last year.

Penny Wyatt, Extra Care Scheme Manager at St Gildas said it was a marvellous occasion. “The main reason for raising money for the Air Ambulance is as a result of an accident that my son, Gary, had last year, and the response of the Air Ambulance saved his life.”

Sue Daniels, a resident who has lived at the scheme for fifteen years, presented the cheque to Roy Milliner, an Air Ambulance representative. He explained to everyone how the Air Ambulance service works, and was also very pleased to see Gary at the presentation.

Roy Milliner said, “It is very rare that we see the recipients of the service, it was lovely to meet him, and thank you to everyone who has helped to raise so much money.”

COMMON ROAD, WINCANTON

Residents from Common Road Extra Care scheme raised £200 for Air Ambulance. Every 2 weeks on a Friday they play bingo and whist, and all the profit raised from their collections and by selling raffle tickets goes to the Air Ambulance.

Judy Carroll, an Air Ambulance representative, visited the scheme to collect the cheque. She said, “It is tremendously kind of the residents at Common Road to support us. This is very much appreciated by all at Air Ambulance. “

Julia White, Extra Care Scheme Manager at Common Road said how wonderful it is that the whole community is involved in the activities. “People from the local community come along and join in too; it's a real community effort.”

(from left to right) Gary Wyatt (Penny Wyatt's son), Penny Wyatt (Extra Care Scheme Manager, St Gildas in Chard), Nick Grubb (Supported Housing Manager), Sue Daniels (tenant), Roy Milliner (Air Ambulance representative). The scheme's cook, Lyn Larcombe, made the cake.