Ambulance staff show support for FORCE
Staff from South Western Ambulance Service (SWASFT) have raised more than £2,000 for FORCE and the Devon Ambulance Staff Benevolent Fund (DASBF) from a sponsored cycle and walk along the Granite Way.
Many ambulance staff and their friends and family cycled 16 miles or walked for eight from Okehampton to Bridestowe, along the Granite Way.
Those taking part were given fresh fruit supplied by Riverford Organic Farms and there was paramedic support from colleagues along the route as well as bike repairs and refreshments at the half-way point.
The organisers, SWASFT’s Jane Pettifer (control rooms audit and training team) and Claire Morgan (frequent caller lead) also held a raffle to further boost the money raised by the event. Prizes, such as wine, chocolates and BBQs were very kindly donated by many local businesses as well as shopping and event vouchers.
Jane and Claire said: “We were absolutely blown away by the support we received, from all our colleagues and the local businesses. It is fantastic to have been able to raise much needed funds for both charities.”
Our picture shows FORCE fundraiser Naomi Cole (second right) receiving a cheque from Jane (far right) and Claire alongside SWASFT’s Chris Wiseman (representing DASBF).
Naomi said: “We are hugely grateful to Jane and Claire for all of their hard work in organising the walk/ride along the Granite Way as well of course to everyone who took part, and/or donated a prize for the hugely-successful raffle. Fantastic to hear that it was such a good day and an amazing total raised too. All of FORCE’s work continues to be funded entirely by voluntary donations, so your money is vital. It costs £1,500 a day to run our Cancer Support Centre, so the money raised will make a huge difference. Many thanks again to everyone.”
In total, £2,280 was raised for the charities with DASBF receiving £1,155 and FORCE £1,125.
