Alex Chalk MP has welcomed confirmation from the Treasury that the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) will be awarded £1 million. The grant will be made from the Libor funds following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
The Cheltenham MP has been working closely with GWAAC, lobbying the Chancellor and Charities Minister Rob Wilson MP to allocate a proportion of this year’s Libor money to the charity. A total of £102m recouped from the Libor banking fines will be distributed this year.
Mr Chalk has also been supporting GWAAC’s relocation to a new, purpose-built base next to the Almondsbury Motorway Interchange. The move would improve GWAAC facilities and allow them to maintain and improve response times in Gloucestershire and across the region.
Earlier this week Mr Chalk joined with the charity’s senior representatives to raise awareness of the charity’s work in Parliament.
Alex Chalk said: “I’m really pleased that the Chancellor and Charities Minister have recognised the tremendous impact of the Great Western Air Ambulance. I think we put a very strong case for support. They are genuine life savers. It is estimated one in five people who would otherwise die are saved by the actions of the GWAAC clinical team.
GWAAC’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing Emma Carter said: “We are very grateful to Alex Chalk MP for his ongoing support, especially his help in securing the grant from the Libor funds. Whilst this is a welcome one off boost that will help to secure GWAAC’s long term future we still rely on the support of the local people we serve to meet the £2.3 million we need to provide our service each year.”