Midsummer Heli Dinner raises £78,000 for Heli2 Appeal

The third Cornwall Air Ambulance Midsummer Heli Dinner has raised an incredible £78,000 towards the Heli2 Appeal.

Taking place at Tregonce Barn in St Issey, 120 guests enjoyed a seven-course meal, raffle, live auction and silent auction as well as a fly past on Sunday 24^th June.

The money raised on the night will fund both a pilot seat and a rotating crew seat for the second AW169 helicopter.

Air Operations Officer, Steve Garvey, and Chief Executive, Tim Bunting, also spoke about the importance of needing an additional state-of-the-art aircraft for the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, highlighting how it will boost the resilience and capability of the charity’s service.

Cornwall Air Ambulance Ambassador, and organiser of the event, Dr Karen Dickens, said: “We were delighted to again host such a fantastic evening at this stunning location. What made this event so special was knowing that every pound donated and raised will make a lifesaving difference, in helping to bring a second helicopter to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Thank you to everyone who kindly supported the Heli Dinner and made this possible.”

An enormous thank you goes out to the large team who put the event together and to everyone who attended for their time and generosity, especially the amazing chefs Guy Owen, Andrew Tuck, Timothy Kendall, Freya Barrett, Ben Palmer, Charlie Walters, Henk De Villiers Ferreira, Eddy Rains, St Enodoc Hotel, Restaurants & Spa, The Tartan Fox, The Barley Sheaf at Gorran, Rising Sun Inn, The Sardine Factory Restaurant, The Halfway House Inn, Wadebridge, Trevisker’s Kitchen & front of house staff, Salar Brock, Grazvydas Bakas, who gave their time after their busy Sunday service to deliver an incredible seven course meal with matching grains provided by Sharp’s Brewery and arrival cocktails provided by Saint Sithney, Greville Richards, Wendy Ley. Thank you to our wonderful compare Daphne Skinnard and entertainers St Dennis Band Cornwall, Darren R. Hawken, Mark Hoskin & Steve Brookes.

And a special thanks to our principle sponsors Chef Henk De Villiers Ferreira, Comitti Boats UK & Caribbean, Your Bespoke Collection, Sharpes Brewery, Saint Sithney Gin and Trevear Farm, Sam Bishop, and Rachel Bishop for ensuring that 100% of the money raised on the evening will go to the Cornwall Air Ambulance #HELi2 Appeal.

The #HELi2 Appeal total currently stands at £1.08million, with six months remaining to raise the additional £1.77million needed to bring a second lifesaving AW169 helicopter to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Find out all the different ways that you can support the Heli2 appeal here.