Partner Article

ZF Services UK boost to high flying charity

Three regional air ambulance services are flying high after being selected by ZF Services UK Ltd as its nominated charity of the year.

ZF Services UK Ltd regularly supports many local charities, community clubs and groups, but every two years employees also pick one charity to be the main focus for fundraising.

This month the company announced plans to raise at least £2,500 for Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance, The Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and The Children’s Air Ambulance, brought together under the umbrella The Air Ambulance Service.

The two regional rescue services carried out 1,949 missions last year, providing rapid response to trauma and medical emergencies across 3,850 square miles and a population of 3,277,274, while the national Children’s Air Ambulance continues to change the face of paediatric care in the transfer of critically ill children in the UK.

Small contributions to the charity, which receives no government funding and relies totally on donations, can make a huge difference: £36 buys enough fuel to keep a helicopter flying for 10 minutes, and £65 buys a manual suction unit that helps clear a child’s airway.

The combined charities were ZF Services UK’s clear favourite from a shortlist of nominations, and staff have pledged to raise vital funds with a busy programme of activities throughout the year.

The first major fundraiser is the Wolf Run on June 13/14, a unique combination of three kinds of off-road running. A team from ZF’s Warwick office have already signed up to this hardcore 10k race across woodland, lakes and thick mud.

Daniel Day, Resident Support Engineer at Warwick, said: “The Wolf Run is set to be a huge challenge physically, but excellent fun, with the added bonus of raising awareness and much needed funds for this vital and worthy cause.

“We have set ourselves a target of £1,000, and hopefully it will be the first of many similar fundraisers.”

Sophie Burt, National Partnerships Manager, said: “The Air Ambulance Service operates three emergency services; two regional rescue services in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland and in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire and also the national transfer service the Children’s Air Ambulance.

“We are really pleased to be working with ZF Services across their different regions and are looking forward to a successful two years of fundraising together.

“None of our services receive any Government funding so partnerships with local businesses are essential to keep our helicopters flying and saving lives.”

ZF employees will be participating in other events organised by the charity - including a 50 mile bike ride later this month and a 24 mile walk through the Peak District in May - as well as their own internal fundraising days throughout the year and anyone who wishes to support The Air Ambulance Service is asked to visit the ZF Services Just Giving page here for more information.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Taylor .