Nearly 500 guests came together at Lincolnshire Showground to support the Mission Possible 2 Appeal for a second helicopter

The Lincolnshire Air Ambulance County Appeal (LAACA) has raised £108,000 at its Rotors & Wings Lunch, in support of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance’s Mission 2 Possible Appeal.

A total of 494 guests attended the event at Lincolnshire Showground, enjoying a champagne reception and three-course lunch before bidding on 11 live auction lots and 65 silent auction lots, including a range of money-can’t-buy experiences.

The lunch was hosted by former BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter Melvyn Prior, with George Sanderson leading the live auction. Guests were also treated to a performance by RAF Waddington Pipes and Drums and a flypast by the Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight Spitfire.

The air ambulance helicopter had been due to attend but was called away on a mission, a timely demonstration of why fundraising for the charity’s lifesaving service is so important. During the event, past patient Jerry Innesbeer shared his story, and LNAA Chief Executive Karen Jobling addressed guests.

Funds raised will support Mission 2 Possible, the appeal to secure the final £500,000 needed to bring a second helicopter into the skies above Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Rachel Wilson, Head of Philanthropy and Community, said: “It was an absolute privilege to work alongside and support the LAACA Committee in delivering this year’s Rotors & Wings Lunch. What many people don’t see is the huge amount of time, dedication and hard work that goes on behind the scenes over many months to make an event of this scale such a success. From securing incredible money-can’t-buy auction prizes to selling almost 500 tickets, the committee’s commitment was exceptional.

“The result was simply outstanding, with more than £100,000 raised to support our Mission 2 Possible Appeal and help bring us one step closer to funding a second helicopter. While thank you never quite feels enough, we are incredibly grateful to everyone involved, including the committee, sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers and everyone who bid on auction items. This achievement demonstrates the extraordinary impact that can be made when people come together behind a shared vision.”

Andrew Pearce, LAACA Chairman, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that our Rotors & Wings gala lunch has once again raised such a large sum of money. LAACA is truly a team in every sense of the word. The success of this fundraising event is entirely down to committee members from across Lincolnshire who give their time freely. They have invested countless hours over the last 18 months in making the event a success, and we hope we have helped narrow the gap on the remaining funds required to meet the appeal target.

“My final thanks go to the generous guests who rallied round and helped raise this phenomenal sum to support the vital work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. Seeing people enjoying themselves was truly humbling and made all the hours of preparation worthwhile.”

The event was supported by Chavereys, Branston, Duncan & Toplis, Roythornes Solicitors, Shakespeare Martineau, Clarke Group Construction Ltd and Brown & Co, alongside auction donors, volunteers, aircrew, speakers and event contributors.

LAACA was established almost 10 years ago by LNAA trustees Penny Would and Andrew Pearce when additional funding was needed to extend the emergency medical service to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Previous LAACA fundraising events raised £95,000 in 2018, £86,000 through an online auction in 2020 and £75,000 in 2023.

Karen Jobling, CEO at LNAA said, “I cannot thank the incredible LAACA team enough for their outstanding achievement in raising over £100,000 at the Rotors & Wings Lunch. What makes this even more remarkable is that the entire LAACA team is made up of volunteers, who give so generously of their time, energy and talents to make this event such a success. Their passion, dedication and sheer hard work are truly inspiring. Raising such an extraordinary amount is a testament to what can be achieved when a group of wonderful people come together with a shared purpose of supporting the life-saving work of the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance”