Bassetts Motor Group has kindly gifted the Wales Air Ambulance an electric van to use until the end of the year.
The Charity is delighted to have received the electric Citroen e-Berlingo which will be essential for the charity staff with day-to-day fundraising purposes.
This is the first time the South West Wales company has donated a gift in kind to the charity. Colleagues from the branch recently visited the Charity’s headquarters in Dafen to present the vehicle to the staff.
They met a medic at the base who spoke to them about the critical care they give patients and showed them around the rapid response car that was on-site.
Ashley White from Bassetts Motor Group said: “Being a South-West Wales based local business, we’ve seen the great work that the Wales Air Ambulance does. We knew that they relied on fundraising and donations, so when we were looking for a cause to support, Wales Air Ambulance seemed like the natural choice.”
The vehicle has also been branded by Bassetts Motor Group with the Wales Air Ambulance logo and information on how to join its lifesaving lottery.
Reflecting on why Bassetts Motor Group chose the Citroen e-Berlingo to donate to the Charity, Ashely added: “We’re big promoters of Electric Vehicles, and getting people to drive them definitely changes their perspective and it’s the most effective way of overcoming misconceptions about driving electric.
“Citroen came out with a deal for us to hire the vehicle at a reasonable rate which meant we were able to justify offering it as a donation. We thought that the van would likely suit the Wales Air Ambulance fundraising purposes.”
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery.
It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £13 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Nina Rice, Head of Fundraising High Value Partnerships at the Wales Air Ambulance said: “Wales Air Ambulance are incredibly grateful to Bassetts Motor Group for their substantial gift in kind of letting us have use of the electric vehicle until the end of the year to support the Charity’s fundraising. Bassetts Motor Group also branded the vehicle for us, which is very much appreciated.
“As a local company Bassetts Motor Group know firsthand how important the Wales Air Ambulance is for the people of Wales. The Charity needs to raise £13 million every year, and the use of the electric vehicle will help so much with our fundraising.
“This generous gift in kind will directly support the Charity’s lifesaving work, and we’re delighted to receive the support of Bassetts Motor Group. Thank you for supporting our all-Wales Charity.”
For more information on Bassetts Motor Group visit www.bassettsgroup.co.uk
