Sheila Gould of Craven Arms has become among the first to help get the Shropshire Star’s Flying Doctor Appeal off to a flying start, by chipping in a whopping cheque of more than £500.
And it is all thanks to her recent landmark birthday.
“At my birthday party I asked for donations for the air ambulance, said Mrs Gould.
She explained: “I was 50 and did not really want anything, and was quite happy.
“Instead of having presents I thought it would be nice to have donations for something good.”
Having seen the launch of our appeal - which has a specific target of raising £70,000 to pay for a flying doctor for the Shropshire-based air ambulance - she decided that it would be a worthy cause for the cash.
And she said that so far, the response to the idea had been “absolutely fantastic”.
Donation boxes were put at various locations during her party at Wistanstow Village Hall, to which about 140 family and friends came along.
“We all dressed in 1960s and 1970s costumes,” said Mrs Gould.
Total raised came to just over £500 which will soon be winging its way to our appeal.
Meanwhile a musical event in April will boost the fund.
Tony Neville, who is north Shropshire area co-ordinator for the County Air Ambulance, said: “I’ve been putting on charity concerts since 1995 and I’ve got one coming up on April 1, which is mainly Irish country music.
“The singer is Jimmy Buckley, who is a multi award winning singer - he was Entertainer of the Year and Personality of the Year.”
The concert is at Whitchurch Civic Centre, and will begin at 7.30pm.
Tickets are priced at £12.50.
“The tickets are on sale from (01948) 664577, which is Whitchurch Heritage Centre, which handles the ticket sales for the show at the Civic Centre. If we get a sellout, we should raise well over £1,000,” he said.
- Read all about our appeal here and print off a donation form here.
- Have you got something planned to support our Flying Doctor Appeal? Then don’t forget to let us know about it so we can highlight your effort. Drop a line to: Toby Neal, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, Shropshire TF1 5HU, phone (01952) 241458, or e-mail tneal@shropshirestar.co.uk
By Toby Neal
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