GENEROUS residents in and around Pewsey have helped raise more than £2,000 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance following a family fun day at The Royal Oak.

Volunteer Sean Devine accepted the cheque this week on behalf of the charity for £2,100 from pub landlords Debbie and Barry Hussey along with Richard Stawt, Frank Day and Geoff Saxby who helped organise the day at the beginning of August.

The event, which saw families come out in the sunshine for an afternoon of fun, had live music, a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, as well as a BBQ and face painting. More money was also raised afterwards.

Mrs Hussey said: “We’ve raised extra money through people who didn’t want their raffle prizes on the day and we auctioned them and made £145.

“We wanted to hit the £2,000 mark and we were really pleased, I know Frank and Richard are. We are glad everyone supported the cause and all the locals because if it wasn’t for them spending their money this wouldn’t have happened.”

Mr Devine added: “I’ve been absolutely blown away by the generosity of the Wiltshire people and I think it is because it’s a Wiltshire helicopter that’s serving the Wiltshire people. It does such a good job and it touches people’s hearts.

“It costs £2.5m a year to keep the helicopter flying and it’s completely public funded, there’s no Government money at all. So without the likes of people doing phenomenal work like this we wouldn’t have a helicopter.”

Mr Devine was also at the family fun day with his model Wiltshire Air Ambulance helicopter for people to have a look at. He added: “I thought the day was fantastic, it was a real party all afternoon.”