YOUNGSTERS at first and primary schools across Worcestershire have raised more than £6,000 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity on a ‘Wear It Red Day’, helping to make life-saving missions possible.
Recently, 31 schools took part in a fund-raising scheme called ‘Wear It Red Day’ to show their love for the local life-saving emergency service charity.
More than 4,600 children across the 31 schools took part by wearing red for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity – the sight of its famous red helicopters in the Worcestershire skies is one seen by many of the children across the county.
In addition, each school was provided with assembly resources and a video message from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s aircrew thanking the schools for taking part. A bucket collection also took place across the schools so each child could make a small donation if they wished.
Charley Burke, Worcestershire fund-raising executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “A huge thank you to every single pupil that took part in our ‘Wear It Red Day’.
The initiative helped raise more than £6,000 for our lifesaving pre-hospital emergency service.
“That is enough to fund 12 life-saving missions – one by air ambulance and 11 in our southern critical care car, which covers the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
“The engagement and feedback we received from the schools was also really positive and we’d encourage anyone who wants to get involved in our next ‘Wear It Red Day’ to get in touch.”
Julie Wills, headteacher at Upton-upon-Severn CE Primary School, who supported Charley with the implementation and promotion of Wear it Red Day, said: “Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is one of the charities our children’s school council have adopted after using its services over several years.
“The children wanted to raise money to support the charity and this year thought it would be good if we could involve other children.
“I contacted local primary schools and we had a really positive response to ‘wearing it red’ for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. The children all enjoyed the day and were delighted by how much we managed to raise by working together.”
A spokesperson from St Matthias Church of England Primary Academy in Malvern added: “We appreciate everything that Charley and Midlands Air Ambulance does for our community. We will join again next year and try and beat the amount we raised, this year!”
To find out more about how to support the life-saving work of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in Worcestershire or to contact Charley to get involved with the next ‘Wear It Red Day’, visit: midlandsairambulance.com/worcestershire
