Magazines and pens were on our seats ready for our March meeting when we would be hearing about the Midlands Air Ambulance charity but first we heard the usual business. After celebrating our 101st Birthday Supper in February with the usual delicious food and puddings it was now back to normal. We were reminded that our WI subscriptions are due in April and that a theatre trip and tour to Llanthony Priory were both coming up. Of interest to any members who do craft work, WI House in Gloucester has lots of fabric to give away free to anyone who could make use of it.
The speaker was Nicole Beebee with her talk with videos on the Midlands Air Ambulance charity that began in 1991. With three air ambulances covering six Midlands counties including Gloucestershire, each year it costs in excess of £10 million to maintain the three aircraft and the provision of a lifesaving service with each mission costing an average of £2,950. Each aircraft carries a crew of a pilot, two paramedics or a paramedic and flight doctor plus full life-support equipment but the charity does not receive funding from the NHS, Government or National Lottery so relies entirely on the support and generosity of local people and businesses. They need to raise £16 million pounds every year and have responded to more than 67,000 missions, making them one of the busiest air ambulance services in the UK. Although our WI gave a donation many members also donated and received a free pen and the informative Take Off magazine where they can learn more about the charity.