On Friday 7th March volunteers who work in the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal shop were driven by limousine (kindly provided by Elite Limousines in Melksham) to Wiltshire Police Headquarters. Air Operations staff had arranged a special presentation to thank them for their amazing loyalty and achievements over the past 10 years in raising over £750,000 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance appeal.

Dot Whitehead Manageress of the Appeal shop was presented with flowers (kindly donated by Ammi in Devizes) and a large framed photograph.

Dot has been working at the store for the full 10 years and was one of the founding members of the appeal shop back in 1998. Dot said: "People think it's wonderful, a real charity shop. I enjoy the work tremendously and have made so many friends over the years with regular customers coming from Salisbury, Bath and Chippenham."

Mrs Whitehead added: "We are all very proud whenever we see the helicopter fly past, the team do a wonderful job and we are pleased to support such a deserving and local charity."

Wiltshire Air Ambulance is a jointly run air service combining the expertise of Great Western Ambulance paramedics, Wiltshire Police Officers and Police Aviation Services. The Air Ambulance was called out to 700 incidents in 2007 and conveyed 366 patients to hospital. 170 of these incidents were at night. Wiltshire Air Ambulance is one of only two in the country which are able to fly at night.

The Air Ambulance is available for 19 hours a day, 365 days a year.  75% of the annual operating costs are provided by the Wiltshire Police and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal provides the remaining 25% of £350,000.   This money is raised by donations from the public of Wiltshire and includes a staggering £80,000 per year from the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charity shop at Westbury.

PC Nigel Gilbert said: "They are an amazing group of ladies; they are dedicated to Wiltshire Air Ambulance and their customers and never ask for anything in return."

The shop has been described as an Aladdin's cave of items just waiting to be snapped up at great prices. It truly has something for everyone. If you would like to bag a bargain and support a local charity at the same time please go along to the store at 26, Maristow Street, Westbury.

Ann Levick, a volunteer on the Air Ambulance Appeal Committee said: "It is a wonderful organisation that needs to be preserved for the people of Wiltshire. The ladies work enormously hard in the shop, create a wonderful atmosphere and raise large amounts of money because they care so much."

Air Operations Unit, Paramedic Team Leader, Richard Miller said: "Last year was the Wiltshire Air Ambulance's busiest year since the helicopter started back in the late 80's. This has only been made possible through the kind and ongoing support we receive from the public of Wiltshire. With this in mind we would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years and who continue to support us for the future."

If you would like to volunteer or have items for the appeal shop please visit the website for more information www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk.