Festive Fun for GWAAC

At Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC), our crew are ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice whenever they’re needed, even at Christmas time. You can join in the festive fun this December to support our team of lifesavers in what is looking to be their busiest year yet. Whether it’s a Christmas Market, a clothing donation, or a twinkle walk around the neighbourhood with a mug of mulled wine, your support today could save a life tomorrow.

Here are just some of the fabulous festive events you can get involved with this Christmas in our region…

The Big Bauble Hang 2023. North Somerset.

In spring 2020, Lucy and her daughters decided to make salt dough Easter decorations that they could hang on their tree to "brighten things up" for themselves and their neighbours. This lockdown project snowballed into an annual fundraiser, making it into the local newspaper, and raising over £1,200 in 2022.

For their fourth year, Lucy wanted to choose a charity that was not necessarily well known, whereby a fundraiser would make a significant impact. GWAAC's name was brought up a few times in response to a social media post, and then Lucy and her family witnessed GWAAC’s helicopter land on Clevedon Beach, responding to an incident involving a friend's neighbour.

Lucy said: “This prompted me to do a little research into the charity and I was very surprised to read that they solely rely on donations to carry out their work. This alone, was as good a reason as any.”

The Baubles will be hung up first thing in the morning and taken inside every night before bedtime, no matter the weather.

3 Seavale Road, Clevedon, BS21 7QB. 1 to 31 December.

The Taylors’ Christmas Light Show. South Gloucestershire.

Hosted by one of GWAAC’s long-standing volunteers (who is often known as mascot Charlie Bear) is a Christmas Light Show to remember, with numerous lights and festivities. The opening night of the event this year saw Charlie Bear, Father Christmas and one of his elves uniting for a snowy evening of mince pies and mulled wine.

For the eagle-eyed amongst you, why not try to spot the dachshund lights, or even a cheeky Santa using a chamber pot!

These fabulous lights have bamboozled local weather reporters, as a forecast of snow is guaranteed every evening!

79 Merlin Way, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6XS. 1 – 15 December 2023, from 18:00 each evening.

Willow Brook Christmas Fun. South Gloucestershire.

The team at GWAAC are taking over the Willow Brook Shopping Centre for festive fun in December!

Supporter Engagement Coordinator for South Gloucestershire, Jenny, says “We’re so excited to be coming along to the Willow Brook Shopping Centre to help the local community with their last-minute Christmas shopping! It’s an even more special event as the centre is so close to our operational base in Almondsbury.”

With baked goods, a Christmas wrapping station and the chance to chat to the fantastic team, it’s a great way to pick up those last-minute gifts and support your local air ambulance charity at the same time.

Willow Brook Shopping Centre, Savages Wood Rd, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 8EF. Monday 18 December, 10.30 – 18:00.

The Coopers’ Christmas Light Show. Bristol.

It’s not just North Somerset and South Gloucestershire that are seeing some Christmas Light magic, Bristol is also home to a fabulous display.

When asked about the event, Ian Cooper told us, “We have done Halloween and Christmas lights for many years, and every year we try and take it to the next level. Five years ago we came across addressable led lights, and haven’t looked back. Our show now runs from four computers and has over 5,000 lights. All lights are synchronised to music; Halloween for Halloween and Christmas songs for Christmas. We chose GWAAC this year because of the great work they do. It’s one of those charities that you hope you will never need, but nice to know it’s there, just in case.”

The Coopers raised hundreds for GWAAC with their Halloween spectacle earlier this year, so get down there for festive, family fun that you won’t forget!

25 Andover Road, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 1AJ. 1 December – 1 January 2023, from 17:00 each evening.

Brookfield Walk Christmas Lights. North Somerset.

The brightest show in Clevedon! Each year the residents of Brookfield Walk in Clevedon put on an incredible display raising funds for local causes. The Buck family have given Santa’s sleigh an incredible makeover with a scale replica of GWAAC’s helicopter — Helimed 65.

Brookfield Walk, Clevedon, North Somerset, BS21 6YG. Throughout December, every evening. 

Are you running your own festive event to raise money for our lifesaving work? If you'd like support from our amazing Supporter Engagement Team, get in touch.

And if lights aren't your thing, but you still want to support your local air ambulance charity this Christmas, request a copy of our fundraising pack today for help and inspiration.