How can I promote my Open Garden? Expand So you’ve set the date for your Open Garden and made all your plans, now it’s time to start thinking about who you would like to invite and how to promote it if you’re inviting the public. Word of mouth - this is one of the best ways to spread the news! Make sure you tell everyone you know about your event. Download our poster - you can print this out and put it up in your local area to promote your Open Garden. Download invitations - you can print this out, fill it in and use it to invite friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. Another good idea is to invite groups such as your local gardening club, church group, Women’s Institute or even sporting groups. If you're on social media then that is also a great way to share the news of your Open Garden. Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn using the handle @dsairambulance and use the hashtag #DSAAOpenGardens. Create a Facebook event Log into your Facebook account Click “Events” in the menu on the left of your newsfeed Click “Create event” on the top right. Select either “private” or “public” event Fill in your event details, location and time Click “Create” and your Facebook event will go live Invite your connections as guests, upload photos and share posts to get people excited about it Please include the wording “raising funds in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Registered Charity Number 1078685” and our 'in aid of logo' when promoting your event. Contact [email protected] to request our in aid of logo.
Can Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance help promote my event? Expand We will promote your open garden on our website if you selected yes when asked 'Would you like us to display your event on our website?' on our registration form. It is up to you to promote your event locally, with the support of our resources and if you request we will add your event to our website under our ‘Find a garden’ page. Some places that can help you promote your open garden: Parish news Village noticeboards Shop windows Community noticeboards Local websites and publications Facebook groups such as 'What's On' Cafes and pubs
What spaces can take part? Expand It’s not just private backyard gardens that take part, we are welcoming all spaces to get involved to show their support for their local air ambulance. that can include allotments, school grounds and workplace gardens - just make sure you have all the correct permissions.
Safety, risk assessments, security and insurance Expand Please ensure you take reasonable measures to make your garden safe. Risk Assessment Once you have registered, we will send you a risk assessment that you must read, sign and send back to us. Insurance Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance cannot be held responsible for any accidents or incidents as your fundraising activity is not covered by our insurance. You do not legally need to buy insurance for your open garden but having public liability insurance may give you peace of mind. Security We recommend you keep your house and shed doors locked, keep valuables out of sight, and do not leave your takings unattended. Refreshments Ensure you list allergens on all refreshments and prepare and handle food safely.
Do you already open your garden and want to use it as an opportunity to raise funds for DSAA? Expand If you already open your garden to the public, but would like to donate some of your proceeds to us, please let us know. We could even send you out a collection pot and fundraising materials to help. Get in touch with our fundraising team for details by emailing [email protected]
What should I do about car parking? Expand Please think about the best place for visitors to park and bear in mind all types of weather and disabled visitors. We have a car parking sign available for you to download to make it easy for visitors to find it. It might be worth letting your local authority, neighbours and community know that there may be extra traffic and cars parking in the area.
How do I make my Open Garden as eco-friendly as possible? Expand It's important to us that you make your event as environmentally friendly as possible. We ask that you avoid single-use plastic and anything that ‘leaves a trace’. Source locally, recycle, and encourage lift sharing, walking or cycling where possible when inviting your guests.
How will the money I raise help? Expand The money you raise will help Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance provide pre-hospital critical care for sick and injured people across the two counties. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance: Provide a Critical Care Service using their helicopter and critical care car for 19 hours a day (7 am – 2 am) every day Provide an Enhanced Care Service using their Outreach cars in Dorset and Somerset for 12 hours a day (10 am – 10 pm) every day Provide rapid transfers to the 'right' facility as well as inter-hospital patient transfers Can transport patients in under 20 minutes to the neatest Major Trauma Centre Provide a patient and family liaison service to support patients who have been treated by our team Actively support injury prevention projects to reduce the number of accidents and deaths within local communities
How can I set up an online page for donations? Expand It's a good idea to give your guests a way to donate online. An online donation page also gives your friends and family a way to support you if they are unable to attend on the day. Set up your own Open Garden fundraising page We can create you your own personalised QR code poster for visitors to donate online. Request your own “donate online” poster
Paying in funds raised Expand After you’ve held your Open Garden event, it’s time to reflect on a fantastic day and your fundraising efforts. Below are a few ways to transfer any funds you may have raised. If you have an online fundraising page then this will come directly to the charity without you having to do anything. Online You can pay any funds raised directly through our website - www.dsairambulance.org.uk/donate/open-gardens-dsaa By cheque Please make your cheque payable to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and post it to the address below, along with a note to say you’ve hosted an Open Garden in aid of us and include your name and contact details: Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance HQ, Landacre House, Castle Road, Chelston, Business Park, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9JQ By cash If you live in the local area then please feel free to swing by our Wellington or Wimborne office with the cash and coins in an envelope, along with a note to say you’ve hosted an Open Garden in aid of us and include your name and contact details. We love meeting the hosts of our Open Gardens! BACS or a bank transfer You can pay money directly into our bank account. Please contact us for details by calling 01823 669 604. Don’t forget to Gift Aid it By gift-aiding your fundraising, we could get 25% more! We can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. If you are a UK Tax Payer and would like to Gift Aid your donation, please complete our Gift Aid Declaration.
Why not ask your employer to match your fundraising? Expand Many employers offer a ‘Matched Giving’ scheme. They can either match the amount you raise or a donate set amount. Remind your employer it benefits their local air ambulance and supports their Corporate Social Responsibility goals. If your employer can match the funds you raise, please let us know by emailing [email protected] so that we can identify their donation when it comes in.
William Entwisle Expand Willie joined Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance after a 35-year career in the Royal Navy, where he specialised as a helicopter pilot. He commanded a Lynx helicopter squadron at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset and the Naval Air Station at Culdrose in Cornwall. A graduate of the University of Exeter and of King’s College London, Willie has spent all his adult life in the West Country, except when at sea or posted elsewhere by the Navy. He sits on the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, is Chair of the South West Rivers Association and has a wide range of interests. Willie is a keen potter, gardener and enjoys chasing a ball around any sort of court as much as his dogs do on a walk. He is married to Issy and lives in Devon.
Martin Lyne Expand Martin graduated in Economics and Finance from Leeds University. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Robson Rhodes in London. Joining Dixons in 1990, he supported the group’s transformation to out of town retail and into new chains as Retail Controller. In 1998, Martin and his family relocated to the Southwest where he joined Orange. Over a 13-year tenure he played a leading role as Commercial Director, establishing the business culture during a period of unprecedented market growth, to leadership and integration into EE. In the last decade he led the transformation of Alexandra, a leading supplier to the NHS and Emergency services, playing a key role during the COVID-19 crisis. Martin now advises start-ups and charities in the Southwest. He is not only a Trustee for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, but also holds similar positions at the Avon Wildlife Trust and ARC Inspire. He lives in Bath with his wife Sara and enjoys visiting their three daughters.
Richard Marlow Expand Rich Marlow joined the NHS in 1984. Following a career that has grown with the evolution of pre-hospital care, continuing in clinical practice as a Paramedic alongside an Operational Management position and currently working as an Assistant Director for South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT). Rich has always had a passion for air ambulance services and advances in pre-hospital care. He was a HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) Paramedic with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance when the charity first went operational in 2000, maintaining close links with the charity and its people ever since. Living on the Mendip Hills in Somerset, with his wife Tracy and St Bernard dog, he has a grown-up daughter. Outside of work, he volunteers for a number of charities including Mendip Cave Rescue as a team member, medical officer and trustee, Somerset Scouts as a county trustee, and the Duke of Edinburgh as an expedition assessor. To relax and unwind he loves to spend as much time as possible caving, kayaking, mountain walking and in the garden.
West Mendip Community Hospital Expand West Mendip Community Hospital, Old Wells Road, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8JD
What is the Flight for Life Lottery? Expand The Flight for Life Lottery is a weekly lottery run by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Charity. By participating, you’re helping to fund our life-saving emergency service while also getting a chance to win cash prizes.
How much does it cost to play? Expand Each ticket costs just £5 per month. This enters you into a prize draw every Friday and into an Annual Superdraw each September. You can sign up for additional tickets to increase your chances of winning.
What can I win? Expand Every week, there is a top prize of £1,000 along with a 2nd prize of £250, a 3rd prize of £150, a 4th prize of £125 and a 5th prize of £100. Plus 10 voucher consolation prizes. The Annual Superdraw has one jackpot prize of £2,500. There are no rollovers and all prizes are won in every draw.
How do I join the Lottery? Expand Signing up to our Flight for Life Lottery is quick and easy. Option 1: You can join online here by filling out our registration form. Option 2: Download, print and send us a completed lottery form here. Option 3: Call 01202 849530 and we’ll help you over the phone. Join Now When we have received your completed membership application, we enter your details onto our lottery system. You will be sent a welcome letter with details of your unique number. You’ll be entered into the draws once you’ve made your first payment.