After raising £6,000 for Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT) and Devon Air Ambulance over the past 12 months, we're delighted to continue our support of the charities for a further year.
The money was raised through charity breakfast mornings held in branches, our annual golf day, and staff members taking on individual challenges.
We also supported the charities' shops by holding a Christmas stock appeal. This invited the community to drop off items to their local RGB branch which could go on to be sold in Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust and Devon Air Ambulance stores.
Stephanie Bray, Corporate Fundraising Officer at Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, commented:
"It has been wonderful to partner with RGB Building Supplies over the last 12 months. The company has shown real dedication and a remarkable team spirit while raising donations. Their generous support has helped to keep the Cornwall Air Ambulance flying in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, bringing critical care to those in urgent need. Support from local businesses is crucial for the air ambulance, and so we're thrilled to be supported again in 2020".
Tracy Owen, Fundraising Manager at Devon Air Ambulance, added:
"We are absolutely thrilled to have RGB on board with us for another year. They are a great team and full of creative ideas - we are very much looking forward to seeing some interesting fundraisers in the coming months! The support of companies like RGB enable our critical care team to deliver lifesaving treatment to our patients in and around our county of Devon, who are extremely grateful to them".
Kevin Fenlon, RGB's CEO, said:
"We'd like to thank all our customers, staff and the community for supporting our fundraising activities. It's clear Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust and Devon Air Ambulance are close to the hearts of many across the region. We're delighted to be supporting the charities for another year, and we look forward to getting started with our fundraising."
In 2019, CAAT flew 1,144 missions. The charity was the first air ambulance in the UK and since being established in 1982 it has grown considerably; it's currently fundraising to add a new aircraft to its fleet.
In 2019, DAA assisted 985 patients. Having been established in 1992 the Trust now has Critical Care Cars, as well as their two existing aircraft in operation, which since the beginning of last year, operate until 2am every day.
As the charities' aircraft carry equipment that is not available on land ambulances, the doctors and critical care paramedics are able to bring an enhanced level of treatment to their patients, which otherwise would not be available until they reached the hospital.