Devon Air Ambulance is here for you only thanks to its wonderful supporters in local communities, including many enthusiastic business supporters who lend their time, energy, skills, facilities and sponsorship to our events and run many of their own fundraisers throughout the year.

Here are just a few of the many highlights from 2019 that illustrate the variety of ways our corporate supporters help to keep Devon's Air Ambulances flying.

Do continue to tag us in your social posts so we can keep shouting about how you've helped us! We're sorry we aren't able to mention all of the fantastic business supporters who have done so much during the year, but please be assured that really do appreciate and thank you for all that you have done. 

A roaring success 

This year's Devon Air Ambulance Dragon Boat Festival made another big splash and was well-supported not only by our headline Sponsor, Burts Snacks, who themselves entered a team into the race, but also spirited and enthusiastic teams from Nissan Exeter, Arconic, BT, Cavanna Homes, D&C Police Training College, SWH and SWAST. This year's winner, Arconic Ltd. not only takes part every year, but DAA has been fortunate to have been nominated for a grant of $10,000 as part of their 'Month of Recognition' staff perception activity. The grant was successful and we should be receiving the generous sum before the end of the year!

The Dragon Boat Festival was another immensely fun day, with plenty of team spirit - even despite one team becoming temporarily submerged thanks to an over-jubilant celebration! Would you like to get involved in the 2020 Dragon Boat Festival? If so, do contact Tracy on 01392 466666 or drop her an email at [email protected]

No shortage of ideas

A big thanks to BT, WifiSpark, Webbased and Kivells who have made us their Charity of the Year and supported us in all manner of fun fundraising ways. Otter Vale has donated a percentage of the income from their range of chutneys to Devon Air Ambulance and it's the fifth year that South West Water has supported us, too. Elsewhere, uCheck's enthusiastic staff took part in Tough Mudder and the Great Western Run raising funds for us from both events.

Although we suggest that all our supporters take part in our own events, we also encourage them to organise in-house activities, like donation stations, bake offs, raffles, and other fundraising ideas. This year not only did we have entries into our own three events (the Motorcycle Ride Out, The Dragon Boat Festival and the Royal Marines Commando Challenge), but we had team entries into the Tough Mudder, The Great Western Run; our own Dress as a Hero and Bake Off For Take Off coffee morning; auctions, sky dives - to name just a few!

On-tap support 

Brewery, Hall & Woodhouse, has been supporting Devon Air Ambulance since 2018 and has now extended their support until June 2020, which is fantastic news. Their range of fundraising for the charity across their pubs has been well-supported by customers who recognise the value of the local service.

Being constructive

South West Highways has been supporting the Charity since 2011 (with the Near Miss campaign) meanwhile all 14 sites of RGB have been running a Christmas Donation Station at each branch to gather items for our shops. They also sold cream teas across their sites, which raised over £1,000!

Bags of help

In 2018 Mountain Warehouse launched a range of canvas bags with local stores voting to make Devon Air Ambulance one of the beneficiaries of their sale, renewing their support for a new range of attractive designs to be sold on the high street.

We were also delighted to have been voted for by Tesco customers through the 'Bags for Help' scheme.  All the money Tesco make from their carrier bags sales goes straight into a charity pot. This year they have provided funding for information screens for some of our charity shops, plus an Intelligent Ventilator at a cost of £25,000.

Support with every sip

Majestic Coffee has invited fellow businesses to host one of their Devon Air Ambulance branded coffee machines at their premises with 75 pence from every drink going to the Charity. If you would like to show your support for Devon Air Ambulance, why not consider taking on one of these machines in your workplace? There is a variety of 12 different drinks, including non-dairy. Read our blog here to find out more.

Taking on the Challenge

Independent pub company, Punch Taverns, joined us this year for the Royal Marines Commando Challenge as headline sponsors for the event. Waggle Events supported us with reduced rates for audio visual support, sound, screens and staging for the Challenge, which is one of our most popular fundraising events, while companies like Signs Express Exeter and Silver Foxes have donated their skills and materials to us free of charge.

If you are reading this blog before Christmas 2019 do check out how to support our Christmas Appeal!

These are just a few of the incredible businesses that have generously donated their support this year. Here are some more of them! Once again thank you so much to all of our business supporters. We're sorry we couldn't mention you all, but we do so appreciate your support and on-going efforts.

Keen to get on board next year? If you wish to continue your support or are thinking of a new Charity Partnership, please get in touch with Tracy on 01392 466666 or email [email protected]

Get your business on board