Wiltshire Air Ambulance has today started working from its new purpose-built airbase near Melksham, with the charity aiming to be fully operational there from the beginning of June.
Over the last few years, the vital air ambulance team have been separated by miles of countryside, with their helicopter based at Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes and their general charity team based on an industrial estate in Calne.
The move to Outmarsh, in Semington, will bring together the Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s fundraising, administrative and operational teams under one roof.
The helicopter and aircrew are due to relocate permanently to the new airbase by the end of this month following a phased introduction of daytime and night-time flying.
For the rest of this month, the helicopter will forward deploy to Outmarsh each morning, returning to the police HQ at the end of each day. It is hoped that the aircraft will be fully operational from the new airbase and permanently located there from early June.
David Philpott, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “Our new airbase at Outmarsh, near Semington, is something that we are very proud of and everyone who has raised funds for it should be equally as proud. The purpose-built facility will secure our future and enable us to continue saving lives for years to come.
“The response to our Airbase Appeal to raise the remaining monies to complete the build has been excellent. We’d like to thank everyone who generously donated, from individuals, community groups, schools to businesses and grant making trusts. People really got behind the appeal and raised funds in a variety of ways, including head shaves, long distance walks and skydives. Altogether, the Airbase Appeal raised in excess of £800,000.”
Mr Philpott said that because of good project management and cost efficiencies the total bill for the new airbase had come in well under budget.
He said: “Based upon professional estimates we originally thought the airbase would cost £5.1 million but I am delighted to say that the actual cost is nearer £4.25 million. This has been possible because our competitive tendering process resulted in the appointment of a very local firm – Rigg Construction (Southern) Limited – who have managed to achieve even greater cost saving efficiencies for us as the project progressed.”
He added: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been saving lives for over 28 years, but we have only been able to do that thanks to the amazing generosity of our supporters. Now that we have moved into our new airbase the challenge remains for us to raise the £3.25 million we need each year to keep operating our lifesaving service.”
With the move to the new airbase comes a new phone number – 01225 300536 – and the new address is Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Outmarsh, Semington, Wiltshire, BA14 6JX.
