THE ladies of Bleadon Women's Institute (WI) are an example of real-life superwomen living in North Somerset.
Most of the WI's committee have worked alongside the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) over the past year coordinating incredible fundraising activities for the charity, including the Bleadon Ball in September.
In total across the past year, the group has raised a staggering £10,341 for the air ambulance charity
GWAAC trustee Robin Jaques went to accept a cheque on GWAAC’s behalf on Thursday, January 12.
GWAAC was chosen as Bleadon WI's charity of the year for 2022 and has been a grateful beneficiary of proceeds from several WI events.
These included the Bleadon Belles’ concert, in conjunction with WorleWind Band in April and the Bleadon Belles’ afternoon tea and concert in July, raising a total of £794.
Bleadon WI also arranged a talk about the charity with their members in June 2022, given by GWAAC’s former patient and board member, Robin Jaques, at which they donated an initial £700.
The Bleadon Ball, hosted by Bleadon WI, took place in the gorgeous Winter Gardens on September 24 to raise more funds.
Guests were treated to a three-course meal and music from local band Six Machine.
Long-term GWAAC volunteer Janet Adams was invited to speak on the night and stay for the evening’s entertainment.
The ball raised an incredible £8,742, helped by a gentleman who donated his two raffle prizes to the charity.
Philippa, the supporter engagement coordinator at GWAAC, said: “I have been inspired, impressed, and humbled by the energy and commitment that Bleadon WI has approached their year of fundraising for GWAAC with.
“It has been enormously beneficial for such an active and engaged community group to choose to support their local air ambulance and we are so grateful to have been invited along for the ride.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has played a part in raising so much money for GWAAC, enabling us to continue to provide critical care to those across our shared North Somerset community.”
A spokesperson for the Bleadon WI committee said: “Bleadon WI has had great fun raising money for such a worthy local cause.
“We would like to thank all our members and supporters for helping us to raise such an incredible amount.”
GWAAC was called to 211 patients in North Somerset in 2022, averaging out as one call to someone in urgent need every other day.
GWAAC relies on the generosity of people in its local communities to keep the service going. For more information, visit www.gwaac.com.
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