The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has announced that they have reached their fundraising target and completed on the purchase of their new air base in Almondsbury.
The charity launched a capital appeal in July to raise the additional £1.2 million they needed to top up funds from their reserves and make the purchase.
Thanks to the generous support of the local community, and all of their supporters, the charity have exceeded the target, raising £1.3 million in cash and pledges to go towards the final purchase and kit out costs.
GWAAC Chief Executive Anna Perry, said: “We are thrilled to have completed the purchase of our new air base in Almondsbury.
“This is a purpose built facility which provides our crew, who work on the cutting edge of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, with all the facilities they require.
“Owning this air base also provides stability to our service and ensures we can continue to provide our life-saving service long into the future. It’s thanks to the generous donations of you, our supporters, across our region that we are able to take this monumental step forward.”
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) provide a critical care and air ambulance service for 2.1 million people across Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset and surrounding areas.
Each GWAAC Critical Care Team consists of a highly trained and experienced Pilot, Specialist Paramedic and Critical Care Doctor.
From emergency blood transfusions to roadside amputations or treating cardiac arrests, they specialise in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine and trauma medicine, bringing the skill and expertise of an Emergency Department to the patient.
GWAAC Lead Paramedic John Wood said: “Moving into the new air base at Almondsbury and buying the facility has had a hugely positive impact on the team.
“We are now operating from a base that is fit for the cutting edge work we do. We’d like to thank all our supporters for making this possible.”