Beeline: Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Magazine, Spring 2016

FEATURE
Dunster extravaganza
West Somerset’s biggest county fair and annual show took place during
the summer. Dunster County Fair, which is held in the grounds of Dunster
Castle, provides fun and entertainment for the whole family, with a fun fair,
children’s entertainment and a variety of trade stands, shows and displays.
The DSAA team were present and held a ‘Name the Bee’ competition,
which was won by Freddie Little from Wadebridge in Cornwall with his
name, Frankie. To add to the excitement, our helicopter made a special
fly-in appearance, which was kindly marshalled by the Taunton Air Cadets.
Members of the public had the opportunity to explore the helicopter and
meet our Critical Care Team. The Minehead Sea Scouts were also on hand
to help the Charity with a bucket collection (which raised £810) and DSAA
supporter Mrs Bosley from Watchet was delighted to present the crew with
her annual fundraising cheque for £2,000. What a fantastic day!
In addition to Dunster County Fair, Fundraising Co-ordinator Debbie
Birtwisle and volunteers Ron Sidewater and Derek and Diane Albutt attended
the Annual Dunster Show. Our team held a raffle for a spectacular quilt made
and donated by the Greystones Quilters from Highcliffe in Dorset, which
raised £337. The proud winner of the quilt was Archie Galloway-Leist.
Santa’s Christmas crew
The Christmas crew helped Santa travel across
the Somerset Levels during the festive period,
raising a record amount of £2,040 for DSAA.
The crew visited many villages across the
Langport area, giving out sweets and taking
donations.
Debbie Birtwisle, DSAA Fundraising
Co-ordinator, paid a visit to High Ham Primary
School to receive a cheque for the final amount
raised and give a talk to the pupils. Christmas
Crew Secretary and DSAA volunteer Karen
Cook said: “We would like to thank everyone
who came out in all sorts of weather, to wave,
chat and put money in our buckets.”
For the past ten years,
Kitchencraft in Weymouth
has supported the Charity by
holding a Christmas raffle.
Over this period a total of
£3,579 has been raised, with
the most recent raffle proceeds
totalling £426. Brian Cookson,
Owner of Kitchencraft, said:
“The air ambulance provides
such a vital service to the local
community. It is our pleasure to
help support them and I would
like to thank everyone who took
part and donated prizes.”
The Weymouth Vehicle
Preservation Society is
pleased to report another very
successful New Year’s Day
Vintage and Classic Vehicle
Run. Sponsored by Harts of Stur,
this year a record 217 vehicles
took part, and the event raised
£2,711 for Dorset and Somerset
Air Ambulance. Of this sum, a
staggering £801 was collected
in the buckets, and our thanks
for this must go to DSAA
volunteers Richard Robbins and
Wendy Burke and their helpers.
Summerfield Boules
Property development company Summerfield
organised their fifth Taunton Boules
competition in aid of DSAA. Forty teams came
together to enjoy an afternoon of boules in
the grounds of Woodlands Castle. Undisputed
winners of the fancy dress were Ashfords B
team with their French mime artist Marcel
Marceau costumes. Taunton Deane Borough
Council fought a hard battle to win 8-5 over
Boules of Steel (Porter Dodson) in the final.
Setsquare Recruitment entered two teams
who both made it to the Cup final, however,
the seniors were well beaten by the younger
generation 0-7 and Setsquare One took the
coveted prize. Together with a kind top-up from
Summerfield, the event raised £2,600.
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance @dsairambulance 39