A successful show (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A successful show

Ashley Kennet, nine, and Sophie Peers-Weaver, 11, both of Swindon, try out the bikes (17242/02)The first ever emergency services show in Wiltshire has been described as a fantastic success.

Around 5,000 people attended the event at Hullavington Airfield, last Saturday, to see firefighters, police, and paramedics from across the county working together to show how they save lives.

In total, around £5,000 was raised for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund and First Response charities.

Leading firefighter Chris Harvey, from Malmesbury Fire Station, had the idea for the event and said it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves.

Mr Harvey said: "A Hercules plane flew in from RAF Lyneham and that was very popular with people climbing into the cockpit. The fire engine rides were also very popular, because big boys and little boys all like flashing lights.

"We also did two mock-up road traffic collisions, which involved first responders, the police and fire services and the paramedics. A company called Casualty Union provided casualty makeup and in the mock-up one passenger died. We did the mock-up because we wanted to show how the emergency services work together."

Mr Harvey thanked the emergency services committee, which organised the event for all their hard work.

PC Rachel Webb, from Malmesbury police, said people were particularly affected by seeing the crashed car and reading the personal statements of people who had lost their relatives in the crash.

PC Webb said: "When people see the police we don't always get good publicity, but we are here to try and save lives and that's why traffic and speed laws are in place."

During the show, police officers gave crime-prevention advice to the public, and a vintage Austin Seven police car also proved a popular attraction.

PC Webb said: "It was a fantastic show. I was one of the best events I've been to. "

Mr Harvey said he was over the moon that his idea to stage the show at the airfield had proved so successful.

He said: " It was a fantastic effort. All the four main services were there and we will have more next year. We also had also had an RAF dog display as well as the air ambulance helicopter flying in for a while before it had to go off to an emergency. I would like to thank the companies for donating raffle prizes."

The star prize, a £7,500 Fiat Panda, was won by an 83-year-old Malmesbury pensioner

Mrs Nelly Redmond, of Burnham Road, a well known WRVS stalwart who was awarded an MBE several years ago, said she was very surprised to win. "I have never won anything before," she said.

She already has a car and said she now might consider giving her prize car to someone in her family.

Mr Harvey said that planning for another emergency services show next year had already begun.