An extra critical care car to strengthen our response
January 20, 2026
In 2025, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) were called to more missions than ever before. These missions were only possible thanks to our community, who work tirelessly to fund our lifesaving work. To honour our incredible community, we're celebrating the efforts of some of the amazing fundraisers from our busiest year ever.
Susan and Caroline
Long-term supporters Susan and Caroline have raised over £12,000 for GWAAC over the years - enough to fund five lifesaving missions thanks to their incredible generosity. Their fundraising has all been done through various activities such as holding raffles, tombolas, car boot sales, bingo, and even an ABBA Charity Night!
As a gesture of our gratitude, we invited them to visit GWAAC's Airbase, where, as a testament of their kindness, they provided our crew with a generous festive hamper - a testament of their kindness and unwavering support.
SPCC Matt says, "Huge appreciation from the crew to Susan and Caroline for not only their very kind gift, but also their continued support and fundraising.“
We are beyond grateful to Susan, Caroline, their family and local communities for going above and beyond, raising vital funds and awareness for GWAAC’s missions, and thinking kindly of our crew!
Emma, Tom and Nicholas
Friends Emma, Tom and Nicholas took on the gruelling Tough Mudder South West to raise money for GWAAC. Braving obstacles including mud crawls, vertical walls, ice plunges and electric wires, the trio conquered the course and smashed their fundraising target, raising a fantastic £1,115!
Emma said "We had so much fun doing it. The obstacles were fantastic and we did get a couple of shocks!"
Grimes House Gallery
Grimes House Gallery in Moreton in Marsh has been selling picture frames and vintage soft toys all year to raise funds.
This year's total is an incredible £5,250!
Thank you so much to everyone involved for their phenomenal efforts!
Good Afternoon Choir Yate and Chipping Sodbury and City Voices Bristol
- Good Afternoon Choir Yate and Chipping Sodbury total: £1,590
- City Voices Bristol total: £1,536
Good Afternoon Choir Yate and Chipping Sodbury
City Voices Bristol
Twisted Oak Brewery
We are so grateful to the team at Twisted Oak Brewery Ltd for their incredible support of GWAAC with their fantastic event and raffle in the summer, raising an incredible £375!
This event highlighted the incredible power of kindness and dedication within our community, hosting events with GWAAC in mind. Their support makes a lifesaving difference, helping to raise vital funds and awareness of our work in the regions we look after, in turn helping to make their communities safer.
Thank you again to Twisted Oak Brewery, Claverham Court Farm, and everyone visiting on the day - because it is only thanks to all of your support and generosity that enables GWAAC to continue flying and driving forwards, helping to save local lives.
Image: Twisted Oak Brewery Facebook
Tufthorn Inn
In 2025 the Tufthorn Inn in Coleford has continued their amazing fundraising for GWAAC.
Two key moments stand out from their efforts this year. In May, landlord Jack took the plunge and had his head shaved to raise funds, joined by three other volunteers, raising a total of £2,370 between them. Then the annual Christmas raffle was incredibly well-supported by their generous local community and raised another £2,926!
Thanks to all those who maid this possible!
Brookfield Walk Christmas Lights
The Brookfield Walk Christmas Lights took place again in 2025 and we were grateful to take part in the official switch-on!
This year was made extra special with a visit from Charlie, Critical Care Bear! alongside the ChristmasDubs, who were raising money for The Grand Appeal.
Jon and Lucy work hard throughout the year on the display, making sure every aspect of it works and runs smoothly, lighting up Brookfield Walk and providing a stunning scene - the main feature being an impressive papier-mâché model of Helimed 65 - for locals and families to enjoy! Their work is all dedicated to fundraising in aid of GWAAC, bringing in more than £7,000 over the last couple of years. We are beyond grateful for their ongoing support!
GWAAC does not receive regular funding from the government, NHS, or national lottery. Our lifesaving work is almost entirely funded by individuals and groups within our communities. It is events and traditions such as Brookfield Walk Lights that highlight how incredibly generous our community is, helping us in raising vital funds every year!
