A HEADSHAVE and walking challenges are among the innovative ways businesses are raising funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new airbase.

Exception EMS, based in Calne, V12 Footwear, based in Chippenham, and Elm Workspace, based in Calne, are the latest businesses to join Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s 100 Club to fundraise for the charity’s new airbase at Semington. Each business that joins the 100 Club pledges to raise £10,000 for the charity’s Airbase Appeal.

At Exception EMS, staff Diane Benson and Kevin Parks bravely had their heads shaved and have so far raised more than £1,000. The company, which is an electronics manufacturer, is planning other fundraising events including a charity ball.

Jenny Goward, HR director, said: “We have supported Wiltshire Air Ambulance for many years now and our employees chose it as our charity to support this year, so becoming a member of the 100 Club was the next step. Diane and Kevin’s headshave was keenly supported by their colleagues and we are looking forward to organising other fun events.

“The work that Wiltshire Air Ambulance does is incredible and such a necessary emergency service within Wiltshire. The plans for the new airbase are very exciting and to have the team together in one place will have huge benefits.”

At V12 Footwear, which designs and manufactures safety footwear for industries including oil, gas, construction, rail and agriculture, 15 members of staff are planning to walk the 13 miles from their headquarters in Chippenham to the new airbase site in Semington on May 26, wearing V12 safety boots.

Tom Turner, business development director, said: “Walking in safety boots will really put their comfort to the test. Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a charity that is very close to the hearts of staff for personal reasons, but also because it is a fantastic resource for the county’s residents and visitors.

“We have the greatest respect for every single member of staff from the pilots and paramedics to those managing the operations, fundraising and marketing from the ground. "Nobody knows if or when the Wiltshire Air Ambulance might affect their lives, but it is a great comfort to know that they are there and can get to emergencies quickly.

“As well as becoming a member of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance 100 Club we have promised to keep WAA staff booted for a lifetime.”

Amongst their fundraising for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, six staff at Elm Workspace, an office fit-out and furniture company, are planning to walk 100km in the Race to the Stones event along The Ridgeway, finishing in Avebury on July 14/15.

Ian Powell, commercial director, said: “This is the first time we have supported Wiltshire Air Ambulance and we chose to support them because it is an essential service to people living in, working, visiting or travelling through the county. We all want to feel we have the best of chances at the worst of times and it is shown time and time again that Wiltshire Air Ambulance can be the difference between life and death in the most crucial minutes of an incident.

“We have joined the charity’s 100 Club as we want to see security for this service and the new base is crucial for the future. A purpose-built facility will aid the efficiency of the service providing more space for the most up to date equipment and training.”

Cheryl Johnson, head of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Airbase Appeal, said: “The fundraising being undertaken by Exception EMS, V12 Footwear and Elm Workspace for our Airbase Appeal is inspiring and we’d like to thank them for joining The 100 Club. The funds they raise will go towards completing the building and equipping of our new airbase, which will enable us to provide our essential helicopter emergency medical service for many years to come.

“Our 100 Club members are undertaking different ways of fundraising for our Airbase Appeal and we’d love to hear from businesses who are interested in coming on board and helping us secure a better future for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Businesses who join will receive exclusive benefits including recognition on a roll of honour at the new airbase.”

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a member of The 100 Club go to https://wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk/support-our-appeal/100club/ or email 100club@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk