May 24, 2013
A keen cyclist from Wells is flying to Verona in Italy and riding back to Wells on his bike to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Mark Wall has been cycling the roads of Somerset and South Wales for years and decided to try a longer road trip about five years ago.
“The idea was principally a challenge for myself before I was either too old or no longer able, so I decided my 50th year was a worthy milestone.  Initially my plan was to leave my house on my bike, & cycle to Italy via France, but after considering the logistics, & possible cycling temperatures, I am flying to Verona (Lake Garda) Italy, then cycling back to Wells, England.”
Mark still sees the trip as being principally for himself, but so many people were asking him how they could donate money that he decided he needed to nominate a charity to support. This was a relatively easy decision as on the first day of the 2012 Easter school holiday, Mark’s son Toby, a keen skate park user, had his lower leg broken in an accident. (more…)
May 23, 2013
A big thank you goes to Marks and Spencer Weymouth who recently presented Annette Plaistow-Trapaud (fundraising co-ordinator) which a cheque for £2,774.54
The branch of M&S nominated Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance as its local Charity of the Year and raised the money through collections at the till points, raffles and a charity quiz night. Pictured are: (left to right)  Claire Ward, Viv Harvey and Annette Plaistow-Trapaud. A big thank you goes to everyone who got involved and a special mention to the customers of M&S for supporting our cause.
May 23, 2013
Shepton Mallet Town Council are organising the Collett Park Festival which is taking place on the 8th June. A programme of events has now been finalised. We are hoping that our crew will get the opportunity to attend this event (subject to operational commitments) and we look forward to seeing those of you that can make it, there!
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
10.45 Â Parade to Collett Park from the Market Cross (more…)
May 22, 2013
A Grand Charity Ball is being held at the Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth on Saturday June 8th. This event is raising funds for the Bournemouth BMX Club and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. A fantastic night of entertainment together with dinner, champagne reception and a fabulous raffle. Tickets are priced at £55 per person or why not consider having a table between you and your friends.  Simply contact Tony Hatcher on: 07867 742589 or click the event poster to the right!
Bournemouth BMX Club was formed in 1981 and aims to provide the facilities, knowledge and support to help all ages and abilities achieve their goals in a fun, friendly atmosphere. More information about the club can be found by visiting: www.bournemouthbmx.co.uk
(more…)
May 22, 2013
Music at Lunchtime takes place at St. John’s Church in Taunton on the 2nd Friday of every month (May – November) between 12.45pm – 1.30 pm. This is a series of seven concerts being performed by Students of Richard Huish College under the direction of Katherine Foyle and is part of the St. John’s Church 150th Consecration Anniversary celebrations.
Admission is free and the retiring collection is in aid of two charities, one being the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. More information on these concerts and the church’s anniversary can be found on the event poster, or by clicking HERE. Alternatively please visit:  www.stjohnstaunton.org.uk
May 21, 2013
Hundreds of cyclists assembled at Watchet Harbour on the Somerset coast to take part in the 3rd annual Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Coast to Coast (C2C) Cycle Challenge on Sunday (May 19th).
Not designed as a race, the event attracted a wide range of ages and abilities, who set off on a ‘gruelling but glorious’ 54 mile ride to West Bay in Dorset.  Some cyclists completed a shorter, 11-mile route which began at Drimpton in Dorset and also ended at West Bay.
In total, nearly 600 cyclists, many of whom reside within the two counties took part in the event, raising funds for the life-saving service. (more…)
May 16, 2013
Taken from a series of real letters sent to a seriously ill friend, The Banana Bunch had Sheila’s family’s blessing to be turned into a book.  These wonderful stories chronicle the zany adventures of some rather inventive monkeys……..
About – The monkeys have a human friend called Sheila. Sheila is in hospital – and she hates the hospital food. The monkeys decide that something simply has to be done…
When their first attempt at delivering bananas to Sheila is thwarted the monkeys decide to form The Banana Bunch, a secret society dedicated to the delivery of delicious, health-giving bananas to Sheila and all the other unwell people at …the hospital.
Banana delivery proves, however, a little more tricky than they had expected…  That’s where we come in! Visit the Banana Bunch Facebook or Twitter pages to find out more!
May 16, 2013
Sainsbury’s in Taunton are now taking nominations for their local Charity of the Year. You can pick up a leaflet in the store to place your vote! No pressure on who we think you should nominate, but we would be delighted if you thought we were a worthy cause. Please keep an eye out in all your local Sainsbury’s stores as each branch will soon be doing this. A big thank you to all who support us!
May 16, 2013
Minehead RFC has raised £1,000 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance by holding a weekend of charity matches, raffles & stalls. The money was raised in memory of Jeff Kingston who sadly passed away before Christmas. Jeff’s family presented a cheque to Debbie Birtwisle our fundraising co-ordinator for Somerset recently. A big thank you and best wishes from us all!
May 13, 2013
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding its 3rd annual Coast to Coast (C2C) Cycle Challenge on Sunday 19th May 2013 and is encouraging the public to show the cyclists their support prior to the event, en-route and at the finishing point celebrations.
The event, which is not designed as a race, involves cyclists of all ages and abilities taking part in a brilliant 54 mile cycle which starts at 11.00am from Watchet Harbour in Somerset and ends at West Bay near Bridport. A shorter 11 mile route starts at the Royal Oak in Drimpton at 2.00pm and also finishes at West Bay.
The 625 entrants all signed up early this year, and by the end of February the event was a sell-out! Of the cyclists, the majority reside within the two counties which show how much the life-saving Charity is respected within the local community. (more…)
A keen cyclist from Wells is flying to Verona in Italy and riding back to Wells on his bike to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Mark Wall has been cycling the roads of Somerset and South Wales for years and decided to try a longer road trip about five years ago.
