A Wiltshire couple will raise more than £4,500 for the air ambulance

A couple from Wiltshire have helped raise money for the Air Ambulance.

Nick and Gaynor Cole from Chippenham have successfully raised over £4,500 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance by completing a 301km cycle ride around the county border.

Starting from the charity’s headquarters in Semington, the pair cycled to Malmesbury, Avebury and Marlborough on the first day.

On the second day, they headed south to Andover and Salisbury.

They finished the challenging three-day trip by making their way back to the air base, with parts of the course equivalent to climbing Mount Snowdon three times.

Nick, business photographer and advocate for Wiltshire Air Ambulance said: “We knew our training for the ride would help, but nothing really prepares you for three solid days in the saddle with over eight hours each day.

“The heat and crosswinds added another dimension to the challenge, that’s for sure.”

Nick’s wife Gaynor has worked at the Medical Spa Center in Melksham for over 23 years.

She said: “The air ambulance does such an amazing job for those who live locally and in many cases it is the difference between life and death.

“I didn’t realize how far apart parts of the county are and the air ambulance is a vital part of the emergency services.”

The couple’s initial aim was to raise £4,500, an amount which reflects the cost incurred to fund a single mission for the air ambulance.

Naomi Barker, head of corporate partnerships at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “When Nick mentioned the challenge to us we thought it was such a great idea and really highlighted how big the county is and that it would help educate people how much does it cost to fund air ambulance which is a charity and receives no government funding.

“We are eternally grateful to Nick and Gaynor for raising such a large figure and stepping out of their comfort zone.”

Wiltshire Air Ambulance was launched in 1990 and has undergone many changes to its service throughout its existence.

It operates up to 19 hours a day, every day of the year, serving Wiltshire and Bath.

The charity needs to raise around £4.5 million annually to keep the life-saving service in the air.

For more information on Wiltshire Air Ambulance visit them website.

Consequently, the couple’s contribution was most welcome.

They are now taking a well-deserved break, satisfied with the significant amount they have raised for charity.