Woolton Hill village market proceeds boost for air ambulance funds

Charities encouraged to make use of fund raising tea room

Woolton Hill’s village market has helped the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) remain airborne and continue its life-saving missions.

Long-standing HIOWAA volunteer Kath Donaldson was recently invited to the market venue – St Thomas’ Church Hall – to receive a £300 donation from the Woolton Hill Village Market committee.

“We chose HIOWAA as our charity of the year as our own village community has benefited a number of times from this service,” said committee member Sally Fenwick.

“We felt it was a cause that all of our visitors and stallholders would recognise and support, as you never know who may need it next.

“Each year one charity benefits from profits made through the sale of bacon rolls, groceries and eggs, and fees paid by stallholders to book a table.”

Mrs Donaldson proved an inspirational guest, as, while accepting the cheque, she revealed that a good friend’s life was saved by the air ambulance, after she suffered critical injuries following a recent accident involving a car in Whitchurch.

Her friend is now recovering, thanks to the speed of the helicopter’s response and skill and training of the paramedics on board.

The HIOWAA ambulance flies 365 days a year, both during the day and, more recently, at night, providing an emergency response to road traffic collisions, sporting accidents and many other serious incidents.

It costs £230,000 a month to maintain the service – which to date has undertaken 6,466 missions across the two counties – and it is entirely due to the generosity of donations from across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area served, that the life-saving missions can continue.

The Woolton Hill Village Market is held on the last Saturday of the month, selling local, fresh and seasonal produce and showcasing arts, crafts and community businesses.

Charities can raise funds by running the popular tea room and raffle.

Anyone interested should contact market organisers by emailing whvillagemarket@aol.com.

For more details about the HIOWAA visit www.hiowaa.org/