This year’s Air Aid Ball was the biggest ever, raising more than £100,000 for the life-saving Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex.
Organised by volunteers, the seventh Air Aid Ball welcomed 372 guests and took the total money raised to more than £450,000 for the work of the time critical emergency care charity.
Chair of the Air Aid Ball organising committee, Andy Farrant of White & Sons, said: “The Air Ambulance is a charity which anybody, regardless of their age, background or location, might one day or night need the services of, which is why we’re doing our bit to support their amazing work.”
The ball has been held every two years since 2007, the main sponsor of this year’s Air Aid Ball was Crawley-based GEW, one the world’s leading suppliers to the labelling, packaging and commercial printing industries, alongside other local businesses sponsors.
Guests enjoyed a dinner, an auction hosted by Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves, followed by live music and dancing at the event, which took place on Saturday 22 June at Redhill Aerodrome in the historic Hangar 9.
Dr Helen Bowcock, Chair of Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex, said: “Once again the Air Aid Ball has exceeded all expectations not only in raising money but in creating such a fantastic atmosphere in Hangar 9.
“The determination of the organising committee, everyone of them a willing volunteer, to support the life-saving work our crews is phenomenal.
‘’They work so hard in making the Air Aid Ball happen and we are immensely grateful for the contribution they make to our capacity to deliver a 24-hour service to the 4.7 million people that live in our area so a massive thank you.”
The top lot on the auction was a holiday at Chalet Chopine, a ski chalet in Mèribel, donated by Peter and Julia Lee which raised £16,500 and will help fund the charity which undertakes more than 2,500 life-saving missions every year.
