Chippenham superstore selects air ambulance appeal as its charity (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chippenham superstore selects air ambulance appeal as its charity

6:00pm Wednesday 30th May 2012 in Chippenham

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been chosen as the charity of the year by Sainsbury’s in Bath Road, Chippenham.

For the next year, the charity will benefit from a year-long link with the superstore, during which time staff will organise fundraising events and volunteer for the air ambulance.

Air ambulance chief executive officer David Philpott said he is delighted the charity has been chosen.

“This is a big national brand that has chosen to back us – it’s wonderful,” he said.

“It’s so important for any charity to be picked as a charity of the year, whether by the mayor or big businesses or the local golf club. It means that instead of receiving one kind donation, there will be fundraising going on throughout the year. Staff and customers find different and innovative ways to fundraise for us.”

The air ambulance needs to raise more than £700,000 each year to keep flying.

It does not receive any government funding, but relies on charitable donations, community fund-raising and support from local businesses.

“There aren’t many mystery millionaires handing out blank cheques out there,” said Mr Philpott.

“It is about kind people doing donating the odd amount. It means everything to us to have these people backing us. But being Sains-bury’s charity is exciting because it allows us to reach out to their customers.”

Mr Philpott said people are often generous to the charity because anyone can need the air ambulance.

“It might be you or your grandchild who needs it – that’s why there is so much support for us,” he said.