Throughout 2017 we are backing a campaign by Wiltshire Air Ambulance to raise the remaining £1.25m needed to complete its new airbase.

ROB Faulkner has a demanding job helping to run one of the county’s busiest shopping centres, but in his spare time he volunteers for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Rob is passionate about spreading the word about the work of the lifesaving charity and has been a volunteer for the past two years.

He represents the charity at fundraising events, such as the Bath Half Marathon and the Big Wheel cycle ride, by manning the charity’s stall and selling Wiltshire Air Ambulance merchandise. He also collects cheques from community groups who have fundraised for the charity.

Rob, 34, of Stratton, Swindon, said: “The people of Wiltshire are very generous towards Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Every event that I go to I always speak to somebody who has been or knows somebody who has been saved by the crews

“Some people want to know about the helicopter, some about the crew and some about the new airbase at Semington, but all have a love for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the crews.

“I especially remember one gentleman who is now confined to a wheelchair, but was so grateful to Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the crew. It moved him to tears explaining that he is now able to see his children grow up all because of Wiltshire’s Air Ambulance’s intervention.”

Wiltshire Air Ambulance says its volunteers are its heroes because they give up their time to help raise funds and awareness, which in turn enables its helicopter and crew to continue flying and saving lives.

In 2016 its volunteers attended 163 community events and gave about 1,304 hours to the charity.

Rob, who works as the operations and customer services manager at The Brunel Shopping Centre in Swindon, volunteers about ten hours per month, on average, to Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

His enthusiasm for the charity led to his employers adopting Wiltshire Air Ambulance as its charity of the year in 2016, raising over £3,200.

Rob gets enormous satisfaction from being a volunteer and says: “Volunteering enables me to give something back to the community.

"If you are looking to get out, meet new people and do some good, then volunteer with Wiltshire Air Ambulance. It is really rewarding and is one of the best things I have ever done.

"I would prefer to volunteer my time to help the helicopter and crew save lives and never need it myself, than to not volunteer and they not be there should I ever need it.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with Wiltshire Air Ambulance call the charity team on 01380 739453 or email hello@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk

For more information about the Airbase Appeal call the charity team on 01380 739453 or visit www.wiltshireairbaseappeal.co.uk/support-our-appeal/get-fundraising/

To donate to the Airbase Appeal text BASE17 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070, mail hello@wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call 01380 739453.